Session #1 of the Mock Board Interview Programme at Officers IAS Academy, Delhi

Date: 11.01.2025

Panel Members:
- Chairman: Mr. B.K. Tripathi (Retd. IAS)
- Mr. Balamurugan D IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs
- Dr. Sivasankari, Academician
- Mr. Francis Bosco, Social Activist
- Mr. Vijay Iyer, Senior Corporate Professional

This programme offers aspirants an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and insightful feedback from a distinguished panel of experts.

#OfficersIASAcademy #MockBoardInterview #UPSCPreparation #IASInterview #DelhiCentre #UPSC2025

Session #4 of the Mock Board Interview Programme at Officers IAS Academy, Delhi

Date: 11.01.2025

Panel Members:
- Chairman: Mr. Rama Subramani IPS (Retd. DGP)
- Mr. Senthil Kumaran IRS, Commissioner
- Mr. AR Sekar, Former Chairman of New India Assurance (PSU)
- Mr. Ashok Clement, Startup Founder
- Dr. Ravi Kumar, Academician

The Mock Board offers aspirants an exceptional platform to refine their interview skills under the guidance of an esteemed panel of experts.

#OfficersIASAcademy #MockBoardInterview #UPSCPreparation #IASInterview #DelhiCentre #UPSC2025

1. Consider the following statements about UNICEF.
1. It was created to provide emergency food and healthcare to children and mothers incountries that had been devastated by World War II.
2. It was created by the United Nations General Assembly.

Answer: C
Soln:
UNICEF:
● The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), originally known as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1946. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● It was created to provide emergency food and healthcare to children and mothers in countries that had been devastated by World War II. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● In 1950, UNICEF's mandate was extended to address the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries everywhere.
● In 1953, it became a permanent part of the United Nations System.

2. Which of the following countries are termed as Baltic states in Europe?
1. Latvia
2. Lithuania
3. Estonia
4. Ukraine
5. Poland

Answer: D
Soln:
● The three Baltic states are Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Hence, options 1, 2 and 3 are correct.

3. The Santa Ana Winds, recently seen in the news, blows in which of the following continents?

Answer: C
Soln:
● Santa Ana winds blow when high pressure builds over the Great Basin — the area
between the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada (a mountain range in the Western
United States, North America) — and the pressure is low over California’s coast.
Hence, option C is correct.
● The difference in pressure triggers the movement of powerful winds from the Basin’s inland
deserts, east and north of Southern California, over the mountains toward the Pacific Ocean.
● As the wind comes down the mountains, it compresses and heats up. The wind’s humidity
also drops, sometimes to less than 20% or even less than 10%.
● The extremely low moisture turns vegetation dry, making it ready to burn. This process
helped fuel the three wildfires in Southern California.
● Santa Ana winds usually occur from October to January.

4. Consider the following statements about Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
1) There is no requirement to maintain any minimum balance in PMJDY accounts.
2) Interest will not be earned on the deposit in PMJDY accounts.

Answer: A
Explanation
● In 2014, the government launched Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) to bring about
comprehensive financial inclusion in the country.
● PMJDY envisages universal access to banking facilities with at least one basic banking
account for ‘every adult’, financial literacy, access to credit, insurance and pension
facility.
Features of PMJDY
● Under the scheme, a basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account can be opened in any
bank branch or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) outlet, by persons not having any
other account.
● There is no requirement to maintain any minimum balance in PMJDY accounts. Hence
statement 1 is correct.
● Interest is earned on the deposit in PMJDY accounts. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
● Rupay Debit card is provided to PMJDY account holders.
● Accident Insurance Cover of Rs.2 lakh is available with RuPay card issued to the PMJDY account holders.
● An overdraft (OD) facility up to Rs. 10,000 to eligible account holders is available.
● PMJDY accounts are eligible for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Bank (MUDRA) scheme.

5. The term ‘Girmityas’, sometimes seen in the news, is related to which of the following?

Answer: A
Explanation
● Girmitiyas were generations of Indians who were taken to other countries like Mauritius, Seychelles, Fiji, South Africa, East Africa, Malay Peninsula, Suriname, Guyana and the Caribbean islands, in the middle and the late 19th century, by the British to serve as indentured laborers in the British colonies.

Officer's Daily Motivation

#upsc2024 #motivation #upscpreparation #success #officersiasacademy #upsc #dream #coaching #ias #ips

Pongal: A Celebration of Hard Work and Perseverance

Pongal, the festival of harvest, reminds us of the value of dedication, patience, and resilience—the same qualities that shape the journey of a UPSC aspirant. Just as farmers toil through the seasons to reap a bountiful harvest, aspirants sow the seeds of discipline and hard work to achieve their dreams of serving the nation.

At Officers IAS Academy, we believe that every effort you put in today will lead to the sweet rewards of success tomorrow. Let this Pongal inspire you to stay focused, persevere through challenges, and shine as a beacon of hope and change.

Wishing you and your family a joyous, prosperous, and inspiring Pongal!

#HappyPongal #HarvestOfSuccess #UPSCJourney #OfficersIASAcademy #CelebratingDedication

Officer's Daily Motivation

#upsc2024 #motivation #upscpreparation #success #officersiasacademy #upsc #dream #coaching #ias #ips