UPSC Prelims 2021 — practice paper

Detritivores are organisms that feed on dead/decomposing organic matter (detritus). Earthworms, millipedes, and woodlice typically consume fallen leaves and decaying plant material—these are detritivores (NCERT Class XII, Ecosystem chapter). Jellyfish and seahorses are predatory organisms; they eat live plankton/crustaceans, therefore they are not detritivores. Thus, true statements are 1, 3, and 5, while 2 and 4 are false.

Items 1, 2 and 3 can be counted as FDI. Under the Consolidated FDI Policy (2020), inward remittances through Depository Receipts (ADRs/GDRs) and Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) are explicitly treated as FDI and counted towards FDI (DPIIT, 2020, para 3; 5). Foreign Institutional/Portfolio investment is treated as FDI when it meets the 10% ownership threshold (or in unlisted companies), per the Government-accepted Arvind Mayaram Committee framework (PIB, 2014-06-21). Non-resident external (NRE) deposits are bank deposits; RBI classifies NRI deposits under banking capital (debt liabilities) in the BoP, not as FDI—so statement 4 is not FDI (RBI Monthly Bulletin Guide, p.68). Thus, true: 1, 2, 3; false: 4.

The oyster is a bivalve mollusk that feeds by pumping water over its gills to filter out microscopic plankton and particles—this is a typical filter feeding method (Britannica: Filter feeding; NOAA Fisheries). The shell-less catfish is usually a terrestrial omnivore/detritivore, not a filter-feeder. The octopus is an active predator. The pelican catches fish with its pouch-like beak and does not eat plankton by filtering water (National Geographic: Pelicans). Therefore, only (C) is correct.