Mock Interview - Session #7
The Officers IAS Academy conducted a Mock Board on 08.02.25 as part of its Interview Programme in Chennai. With an esteemed panel of experts, aspirants received in-depth feedback and real-time interview experience to ace their UPSC Personality Test.
Panel Members:
Chairman: Mr. Har Sahay Meena IAS, Spl Secretary - Planning & Development Dept, TN
Member 1: Mr. Karunanidhi ITS, Retd. Principal General Manager, DoT/TCIL/BSNL
Member 2: Mr. Swaminathan, Air Vice Marshal
Member 3: Dr. Manohar G J, Academician
Member 4: Mr. Rhakul, Academician
The journey to becoming an IAS/IPS/IFS officer requires confidence, articulation, and presence of mind. Our Mock Board sessions help aspirants refine their responses and approach the UPSC Interview with clarity and composure.
Stay focused and be prepared for the final step!
#UPSCInterview #MockInterview #IASInterview #IPSInterview #IFSInterview #UPSC2025 #IAS2025
The Officers IAS Academy conducted a Mock Board on 08.02.25 as part of its Interview Programme in Chennai. With an esteemed panel of experts, aspirants received in-depth feedback and real-time interview experience to ace their UPSC Personality Test.
Panel Members:
Chairman: Mr. Har Sahay Meena IAS, Spl Secretary - Planning & Development Dept, TN
Member 1: Mr. Karunanidhi ITS, Retd. Principal General Manager, DoT/TCIL/BSNL
Member 2: Mr. Swaminathan, Air Vice Marshal
Member 3: Dr. Manohar G J, Academician
Member 4: Mr. Rhakul, Academician
The journey to becoming an IAS/IPS/IFS officer requires confidence, articulation, and presence of mind. Our Mock Board sessions help aspirants refine their responses and approach the UPSC Interview with clarity and composure.
Stay focused and be prepared for the final step!
#UPSCInterview #MockInterview #IASInterview #IPSInterview #IFSInterview #UPSC2025 #IAS2025
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
1. MPC is responsible for fixing the benchmark interest rates in India.
2. All members of the MPC are appointed by the Central Government.
1. MPC is responsible for fixing the benchmark interest rates in India.
2. All members of the MPC are appointed by the Central Government.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
67%
(a) 1 only
9%
(b) 2 only
21%
(c) Both 1 and 2
3%
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is a committee of the
RBI which is entrusted with the task of fixing the benchmark policy interest rate (repo
rate) to contain inflation within the specified target level.
▪️ Under the flexible inflation targeting (FIT) framework, the RBI targets to
contain Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation within 4 percent
with a tolerance band of (+/-) 2 percent for the period April 1, 2021, to
March 31, 2026.
● Statement 2 is incorrect: The MPC has six members: RBI Governor (Chairperson),
RBI Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, one official nominated by the RBI
Board and remaining 3 members would represent the Government.
● The MPC is required to meet at least four times in a year. The quorum for the
meeting is four members.
● The MPC makes decisions based on majority vote. In case of a tie, the RBI governor
will have a second or casting vote.
● Each Member of MPC writes a statement specifying the reasons for voting in favour
of, or against the proposed resolution.
Explanation:
● Statement 1 is correct: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is a committee of the
RBI which is entrusted with the task of fixing the benchmark policy interest rate (repo
rate) to contain inflation within the specified target level.
▪️ Under the flexible inflation targeting (FIT) framework, the RBI targets to
contain Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation within 4 percent
with a tolerance band of (+/-) 2 percent for the period April 1, 2021, to
March 31, 2026.
● Statement 2 is incorrect: The MPC has six members: RBI Governor (Chairperson),
RBI Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, one official nominated by the RBI
Board and remaining 3 members would represent the Government.
● The MPC is required to meet at least four times in a year. The quorum for the
meeting is four members.
● The MPC makes decisions based on majority vote. In case of a tie, the RBI governor
will have a second or casting vote.
● Each Member of MPC writes a statement specifying the reasons for voting in favour
of, or against the proposed resolution.
2. Consider the following statements about the International Criminal Court (ICC).
1. It is one of the principal organs of the United Nations.
2. It was established based on the Rome Statute.
3. India is a member of ICC.
1. It is one of the principal organs of the United Nations.
2. It was established based on the Rome Statute.
3. India is a member of ICC.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
51%
A. Only one
34%
B. Only two
14%
C. All the three
2%
D. None of the above
Answer: A
Soln:
International Criminal Court:
● The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent judicial body established by the
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● It is an independent judicial body distinct from the UN. Hence, statement 1 is
incorrect.
● ICC investigates and tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the
international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of
aggression.
● The ICC was established as a court of last resort to prosecute the most heinous offenses in
cases where national courts fail to act.
● It is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
Jurisdiction:
● The Court may exercise jurisdiction in a situation where genocide, crimes against
humanity or war crimes were committed on or after 1 July 2002 (when Rome Statute
entered into force) and:
○ the crimes were committed by a State Party national, or in the territory of a State
Party, or in a State that has accepted the jurisdiction of the Court; or
○ the crimes were referred to the ICC Prosecutor by the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC).
Membership:
● Only those who ratified (124 countries) the Rome Statute are parties to the ICC.
● Prominent countries that are not members include China, India, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Qatar
and Israel. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● The USA and Russia had signed the treaty but did not ratify it.
Soln:
International Criminal Court:
● The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent judicial body established by the
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● It is an independent judicial body distinct from the UN. Hence, statement 1 is
incorrect.
● ICC investigates and tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the
international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of
aggression.
● The ICC was established as a court of last resort to prosecute the most heinous offenses in
cases where national courts fail to act.
● It is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
Jurisdiction:
● The Court may exercise jurisdiction in a situation where genocide, crimes against
humanity or war crimes were committed on or after 1 July 2002 (when Rome Statute
entered into force) and:
○ the crimes were committed by a State Party national, or in the territory of a State
Party, or in a State that has accepted the jurisdiction of the Court; or
○ the crimes were referred to the ICC Prosecutor by the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC).
Membership:
● Only those who ratified (124 countries) the Rome Statute are parties to the ICC.
● Prominent countries that are not members include China, India, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Qatar
and Israel. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● The USA and Russia had signed the treaty but did not ratify it.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
47%
(a) Only one
40%
(b) Only two
12%
(c) All the three
1%
(d) None of the above
3. Consider the following statements about the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER).
1. It is a school-based survey to provide reliable estimates of children’s schooling and learning levels.
2. It is published by the Ministry of Education.
3. The survey does not cover urban areas.
1. It is a school-based survey to provide reliable estimates of children’s schooling and learning levels.
2. It is published by the Ministry of Education.
3. The survey does not cover urban areas.
Answer: A
Explanation:
● The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) is an annual citizen-led survey that
provides reliable estimates of children’s schooling and learning levels in rural
India.
● Schooling status is recorded for children in the age group 3 to 16, and children in
the age group 5 to 16 are tested for their ability to read simple text and do basic
arithmetic.
● This format of ‘Basic’ ASER was conducted every year for ten years, from 2005 till
2014 in almost all rural districts of India.
● Thereafter, an alternate-year cycle was introduced in which the ‘basic’ ASER
alternated with a survey focusing on a different age group of children and a
different set of domains.
Where is ASER conducted?
● Statement 1 is incorrect: Unlike most other large-scale learning assessments, ASER
is a household-based rather than school-based survey.
● This design enables all children to be included – those who have never been to
school or have dropped out; those who are in government schools, private schools,
religious or other types of schools; as well as those who are absent from school on the
day of the assessment.
Who conducts the survey?
● Statement 2 is incorrect: The ASER survey is coordinated by the ASER Centre and
facilitated by the Pratham network.
▪️ Pratham is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India. It
works towards the provision of quality education to the underprivileged
children.
▪️ ASER Centre is Pratham's autonomous research and assessment unit.
● Around 30,000 volunteers from local partner organisations in each district conduct the survey.
What is the geographical coverage of ASER?
● Statement 3 is correct: ASER is a rural survey. Urban areas are not covered. ASER usually attempts to reach every rural district of the country.
Explanation:
● The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) is an annual citizen-led survey that
provides reliable estimates of children’s schooling and learning levels in rural
India.
● Schooling status is recorded for children in the age group 3 to 16, and children in
the age group 5 to 16 are tested for their ability to read simple text and do basic
arithmetic.
● This format of ‘Basic’ ASER was conducted every year for ten years, from 2005 till
2014 in almost all rural districts of India.
● Thereafter, an alternate-year cycle was introduced in which the ‘basic’ ASER
alternated with a survey focusing on a different age group of children and a
different set of domains.
Where is ASER conducted?
● Statement 1 is incorrect: Unlike most other large-scale learning assessments, ASER
is a household-based rather than school-based survey.
● This design enables all children to be included – those who have never been to
school or have dropped out; those who are in government schools, private schools,
religious or other types of schools; as well as those who are absent from school on the
day of the assessment.
Who conducts the survey?
● Statement 2 is incorrect: The ASER survey is coordinated by the ASER Centre and
facilitated by the Pratham network.
▪️ Pratham is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India. It
works towards the provision of quality education to the underprivileged
children.
▪️ ASER Centre is Pratham's autonomous research and assessment unit.
● Around 30,000 volunteers from local partner organisations in each district conduct the survey.
What is the geographical coverage of ASER?
● Statement 3 is correct: ASER is a rural survey. Urban areas are not covered. ASER usually attempts to reach every rural district of the country.
4. Consider the following statements about the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM).
1. It creates a unified national market for agricultural commodities.
2. It is implemented by the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC).
3. It comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
1. It creates a unified national market for agricultural commodities.
2. It is implemented by the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC).
3. It comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
9%
A. Only one
44%
B. Only two
46%
C. All the three
1%
D. None of the above
Answer: C
Soln:
National Agriculture Market (e-NAM):
● National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal which
networks the existing Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis to create a
unified national market for agricultural commodities. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● It provides the farmers access to nationwide markets, with prices commensurate with the
quality of their produce.
● Launched in 2016, e-NAM is completely funded by the Central Government and is
implemented by Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), under the aegis of
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.
● e-NAM portal enables farmers to trade their produce through their nearby e-NAM mandis and facilitate traders to bid online from any location.
● The e-NAM portal provides single window services for all APMC related information and services such as commodity arrivals, quality & prices and buy & sell offers, etc.
Soln:
National Agriculture Market (e-NAM):
● National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal which
networks the existing Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis to create a
unified national market for agricultural commodities. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● It provides the farmers access to nationwide markets, with prices commensurate with the
quality of their produce.
● Launched in 2016, e-NAM is completely funded by the Central Government and is
implemented by Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), under the aegis of
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.
● e-NAM portal enables farmers to trade their produce through their nearby e-NAM mandis and facilitate traders to bid online from any location.
● The e-NAM portal provides single window services for all APMC related information and services such as commodity arrivals, quality & prices and buy & sell offers, etc.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
3%
A. Only one
32%
B. Only two
64%
C. All the three
1%
D. None of the above
5. Consider the following statements.
1. Treasury bills have a maturity of less than one year.
2. Dated or long-term securities are issued for a period above 1 year and up to 40 years.
3. Proceeds of the Green bonds are utilised for environmentally sustainable projects
1. Treasury bills have a maturity of less than one year.
2. Dated or long-term securities are issued for a period above 1 year and up to 40 years.
3. Proceeds of the Green bonds are utilised for environmentally sustainable projects
Answer: C
Soln:
Government bonds:
● Government bonds or government securities (G-Secs) are normally categorised into two —
Treasury Bills and dated or long-term securities.
○ Treasury Bills have a maturity of less than one year and they do not carry
coupon rates. These are issued at a discount, while redeemed at face value.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
○ At the same time, dated or long-term securities are issued for a period above 1
year and up to 40 years. These bonds carry coupon rates and are tradable in the
securities market. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● SGrB is one form of dated security. It will have a tenor and interest rate.
● Money raised through SGrB is part of overall government borrowing.
Sovereign Green Bonds:
● Green bonds are bonds issued by any sovereign entity, inter-governmental groups or
alliances and corporates with the aim that the proceeds of the bonds are utilised for
projects classified as environmentally sustainable. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● When these bonds carry guarantees related to the repayment of principal and
payment of interest by the sovereign or the government, they are called sovereign
green bonds (SGrB).
How are the projects for green bonds selected?
● According to the framework for SgrBs issued by the Government of India, a project is
classified “green” on the basis of four key principles.
● These include:
○ encouraging energy efficiency in resource utilisation,
○ reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases,
○ promoting climate resilience and/or
○ improving natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
Where will the proceeds go?
● The government will use the proceeds raised from SGrBs to finance or refinance
expenditure (in parts or whole) for various green projects, including in renewable energy, clean transportation, energy efficiency, climate change adaptation, sustainable
water and waste management, pollution and prevention control and green buildings.
Soln:
Government bonds:
● Government bonds or government securities (G-Secs) are normally categorised into two —
Treasury Bills and dated or long-term securities.
○ Treasury Bills have a maturity of less than one year and they do not carry
coupon rates. These are issued at a discount, while redeemed at face value.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
○ At the same time, dated or long-term securities are issued for a period above 1
year and up to 40 years. These bonds carry coupon rates and are tradable in the
securities market. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● SGrB is one form of dated security. It will have a tenor and interest rate.
● Money raised through SGrB is part of overall government borrowing.
Sovereign Green Bonds:
● Green bonds are bonds issued by any sovereign entity, inter-governmental groups or
alliances and corporates with the aim that the proceeds of the bonds are utilised for
projects classified as environmentally sustainable. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● When these bonds carry guarantees related to the repayment of principal and
payment of interest by the sovereign or the government, they are called sovereign
green bonds (SGrB).
How are the projects for green bonds selected?
● According to the framework for SgrBs issued by the Government of India, a project is
classified “green” on the basis of four key principles.
● These include:
○ encouraging energy efficiency in resource utilisation,
○ reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases,
○ promoting climate resilience and/or
○ improving natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
Where will the proceeds go?
● The government will use the proceeds raised from SGrBs to finance or refinance
expenditure (in parts or whole) for various green projects, including in renewable energy, clean transportation, energy efficiency, climate change adaptation, sustainable
water and waste management, pollution and prevention control and green buildings.
How to become IAS/IPS officers?
Join us for an insightful seminar by Mr.Israel Jebasingh, former IAS officer and renowned UPSC mentor, as he shares expert insights on cracking the IAS/IPS exams. Learn about preparation strategies, exam patterns, and the journey of a civil servant.
📅 Date: February 15, 2025
🕥 Time: 10:30am
📍 Venue: Officer IAS Academy, Chennai
Register Now: https://forms.gle/kUmgydt8gE1xR3Ce6
Parents are also welcome to attend and understand the challenges and opportunities in the UPSC journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable guidance from one of the best in the field!
Thank you.
Join us for an insightful seminar by Mr.Israel Jebasingh, former IAS officer and renowned UPSC mentor, as he shares expert insights on cracking the IAS/IPS exams. Learn about preparation strategies, exam patterns, and the journey of a civil servant.
📅 Date: February 15, 2025
🕥 Time: 10:30am
📍 Venue: Officer IAS Academy, Chennai
Register Now: https://forms.gle/kUmgydt8gE1xR3Ce6
Parents are also welcome to attend and understand the challenges and opportunities in the UPSC journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable guidance from one of the best in the field!
Thank you.
1. Indravati National Park, recently seen in news, is present in which of the following states?
choose the correct answer
Anonymous Quiz
17%
A. Uttarakhand
24%
B. Maharashtra
7%
C. Tamil nadu
51%
D. Chattisgarh
Answer: D
Soln:
● Indravati National Park is a national park located in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh
state of India. Hence, option D is correct.
● It is home to one of the last populations of rare wild buffalo. Indravati National Park is the
finest and most famous wildlife park of Chhattisgarh.
● It is one among the two project tiger sites in Chhattisgarh along with Udanti-sitanadi.
● The park derives its name from the Indravati River, which flows from east to west and
forms the northern boundary of the reserve with the Indian state of Maharashtra.
● With a total area of approximately 2799.08 sq. kms, Indravati attained the status of a
national park in 1981 and a tiger reserve in 1983 under the famous Project Tiger
initiative.
Soln:
● Indravati National Park is a national park located in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh
state of India. Hence, option D is correct.
● It is home to one of the last populations of rare wild buffalo. Indravati National Park is the
finest and most famous wildlife park of Chhattisgarh.
● It is one among the two project tiger sites in Chhattisgarh along with Udanti-sitanadi.
● The park derives its name from the Indravati River, which flows from east to west and
forms the northern boundary of the reserve with the Indian state of Maharashtra.
● With a total area of approximately 2799.08 sq. kms, Indravati attained the status of a
national park in 1981 and a tiger reserve in 1983 under the famous Project Tiger
initiative.