Which state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with State Bank of India (SBI) to provide subsidised loans to its employees?

Introduction / Context:
Questions on agreements between state governments and banks are common in banking and general awareness sections. They test whether you keep track of recent initiatives related to financial inclusion, welfare schemes, and employee benefits. This question refers to a specific Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between a state government and the State Bank of India (SBI) to provide subsidised loans to government employees.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• An MoU was signed between a state government and SBI.
• The purpose of the MoU is to offer subsidised loans to state government employees.
• The options list four Indian states: Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam.
• We assume the question is based on a news item from around 2017.

Concept / Approach:
MoUs like this are part of broader efforts to improve access to affordable credit. Remembering which state partnered with SBI for such a scheme requires careful reading of current affairs. In this case, the Government of Assam signed an MoU with SBI to provide housing, car, and education loans to its employees at subsidised interest rates, with the state government bearing a part of the interest burden.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall news about any state that tied up with SBI for subsidised employee loans. Step 2: Identify that this initiative was launched in the North Eastern state of Assam. Step 3: Check the options: Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam. Step 4: Select “Assam” as it correctly matches the state that signed the MoU with SBI.

Verification / Alternative check:
One way to remember this is to link the scheme with Assam's attempts to improve the morale and financial security of its employees. Coverage in newspapers and banking exam capsules usually highlighted that the MoU would help thousands of employees access cheaper loans through SBI branches in Assam.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Punjab: While Punjab has many welfare schemes, it was not the state mentioned in this particular MoU with SBI for subsidised employee loans.
• West Bengal: No widely reported scheme of exactly this nature with SBI matches the description in the question.
• Bihar: Bihar also runs welfare programs, but the specific SBI MoU for subsidised loans to employees was not signed by Bihar in the referenced news.

Common Pitfalls:
Because several states sign MoUs with banks, aspirants can easily mix them up. Another common mistake is to simply guess a large or frequently mentioned state instead of focusing on the exact news. To avoid this, revise current affairs using state wise notes, grouping schemes and MoUs by state and sector.

Final Answer:
The state government that signed an MoU with SBI to provide subsidised loans to its employees was Assam.