Correct Answer: Option (a)

Explanation:

Key concept = Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
→ Investment involving ownership/control (≥10% equity)

(d) ❌ — NRE deposits not FDI

Core Insight: Only equity-linked instruments count as FDI, not deposits

Correct Answer: Option (b) 2 and 3 only

Key concept = Copper smelting pollution
→ Process releases toxic gases and hazardous waste (slag) impacting air and water quality

• Heavy metal leaching: Copper slag can release metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium into soil and groundwater
• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂): Released during smelting of sulphide ores; causes air pollution and acid rain
• Carbon monoxide: Mainly an intermediate in the process, not a major environmental concern

Core Insight: Key risks = SO₂ emissions and heavy metal contamination from slag.

Correct Answer: Option (c) Oyster

Key concept = Filter feeder
→ Organisms that obtain food by filtering suspended particles (plankton, organic matter) from water

• Oyster feeds by passing water over its gills, trapping tiny food particles → classic filter-feeding mechanism
• Catfish → bottom feeder/scavenger
• Octopus → active predator
• Pelican → fish-eating bird (not filter feeder)

Core Insight: Only oysters use true filter feeding; others rely on active hunting or scavenging.

Correct Answer: Option (a) 1 only

Key concept = Early English East India Company expansion
→ Initial factories were set up on the western coast (Gujarat) due to active maritime trade

• Broach (Bharuch): Major port in Gujarat; EIC established a factory here in the early 17th century
• Chicacole (Andhra region): Not part of early EIC network; east coast expansion happened later (Madras phase)
• Trichinopoly (Tamil region): Inland centre; no early EIC factory here

Core Insight: EIC’s early trade was Gujarat-based; expansion to east and south came later.

Correct Answer: Option (b) 2 only

Key concept = Mitakshara vs Dayabhaga
→ Two schools of Hindu inheritance law, differing mainly in timing of rights over property

• Statement 1 ❌
  Not based on caste; it is a regional distinction (Mitakshara—most of India, Dayabhaga—Bengal).
• Statement 2 ✅
  Mitakshara → sons get right by birth
  Dayabhaga → sons get right after father’s death
• Statement 3 ❌
  Both systems traditionally focused on male inheritance, not male vs female division.

Core Insight: Mitakshara = birthright; Dayabhaga = inheritance after death.