Directions (Questions 1 - 8): In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

The banking sector in India has undergone a significant (1) ________ over the past decade. With the advent of digital technologies, traditional branch banking has been largely (2) ________ by online and mobile services. This shift has not only improved customer (3) ________ but also substantially reduced operational costs for financial institutions. However, this rapid digitization brings its own set of (4) ________. Cybersecurity has become a paramount (5) ________ as the frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks continue to rise globally. To (6) ________ these emerging threats, banks are heavily investing in robust security infrastructures and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, regulatory bodies are continually updating their (7) ________ to ensure that customer data remains strictly secure. Ultimately, the future of banking relies on finding the perfect (8) ________ between seamless innovation and stringent security.