2013

Excretion of urea by animals - Correct: Urea (CO(NH₂)₂) contains nitrogen. When animals excrete urea, microbes in the soil convert it into ammonia, and later into nitrates and nitrites — forms usable by plants. Thus, urea adds nitrogen to the soil indirectly.

Burning of coal by man - Incorrect: Burning coal releases nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) into the atmosphere, not into the soil. These contribute to air pollution and acid rain, not direct soil enrichment.

Death of vegetation - Correct: When plants die, their tissues decompose. Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) break down organic matter, releasing nitrogen compounds back into the soil. Hence, this process adds nitrogen to the soil naturally.

All the given minerals have a role in the contraction of muscles in the human body.

Calcium: Calcium is essential for activating enzymes that cause muscle contraction.

Iron: Iron helps support continued muscle function by supporting energy production in your muscle cells so that muscle fibers always have the energy they need to contract properly. Iron also helps muscles store oxygen to fuel muscle contractions and promotes healthy circulation so that muscles can get additional oxygen from the bloodstream.

Sodium: One needs sodium for muscle contraction because it balances potassium to maintain membrane potential.

In the context of India's parliamentary government, the following principles are implied institutionally:

Statement 1 is correct. Close Link Between Legislature and Executive: By requiring Cabinet members to be MPs, a close connection is established between the legislative and executive branches. This ensures the government is accountable to the legislature, which represents the people.

Statement 2 is correct: Collective Responsibility The principle of collective responsibility implies that the Cabinet functions as a unified body. If the Parliament loses faith in the government through a no-confidence motion, the entire Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, is expected to resign.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Cabinet is not headed by the Head of State. In India, the President is the Head of State, but the Prime Minister leads the Cabinet. The Prime Minister is the head of government and wields significant executive power.

The National Development Council (NDC) in India is comprised of the following members:

* The Prime Minister (who chairs the council) * Ministers of the Union Cabinet * Chief Ministers of the States

The Chairman, Finance Commission - while the Finance Commission plays a crucial role in recommending the devolution of financial resources from the central government to the states, the Chairman is not a member of the NDC.

_Note: While the NDC was proposed to be abolished, it has not been formally dissolved, although its powers have largely been transferred to the NITI Aayog's Governing Council._

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a standing parliamentary committee that acts as a watchdog over government spending.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Committee consists of 22 members, not 25. These members are drawn from both Houses of Parliament—15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha. They are elected every year from amongst the members according to the principle of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

Statement 2 is correct: The main function of the PAC is to examine the Appropriation Accounts (which compare the actual expenditure with the grants sanctioned by Parliament) and the Finance Accounts of the Government of India to ensure that public money is spent legally and for the intended purpose.

Statement 3 is correct: The Committee examines the audit reports submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. The CAG assists the Committee during its deliberations, often described as the 'guide, philosopher, and friend' of the PAC.

* PESA doesn't deal with the creation of autonomous regions in tribal areas.

* The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of certain tribal areas as autonomous entities. The provisions of the sixth schedule are provided under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Indian Constitution.

The Indian Parliament has the authority to enact laws applicable throughout the country (or any specific region) to fulfil its obligations under international treaties. This power is enshrined in Article 253 of the Indian Constitution.

Unlike some situations where the Parliament might require state consent for legislative actions, Article 253 grants the authority to enact these laws without needing approval from individual states.

Also, the Constitution empowers Parliament to make laws on any matter in the state list under five extraordinary circumstances - Rajya Sabha passes the resolution(Article 249) - During a National Emergency (Article 250, read with Article 352) - States make a request(Article 252) - To implement international agreements(Article 253) - During the President's rule (Article 356).

Among marine creatures, the sea cow and sea lion are mammals, while the sea horse is a fish.

1. Sea Cow: The sea cow, a herbivorous marine mammal, resides in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, growing to 3m and weighing around 600kg. Sadly, it's vulnerable due to habitat degradation and hunting.

2. Sea Horse: The sea horse, a carnivorous marine fish, is found in shallow tropical waters. It grows to 35cm, weighs around 200g, and is vulnerable due to habitat damage and fishing.

3. Sea Lion: The sea lion, a carnivorous marine mammal, breeds on Pacific beaches. It grows to 2.5m, weighs around 350kg, and is Endangered.

Statement 1 is Correct: The National Development Council was established in August 1952 by an executive resolution of the Government of India and is not mentioned in the Constitution. Statement 2 is Correct: The Planning Commission was established in March 1950 by an executive resolution and was a non-constitutional, non-statutory body. Statement 3 is Correct: Zonal Councils are statutory bodies established under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956; they are not mentioned in the Constitution.

Option 'A' is incorrect: The 7th Amendment permitted the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more states. This was implemented to streamline administration, particularly during the period of state reorganisation.

Option 'B' is incorrect: The judges of the High Court are also appointed by the President, like the Judges of the Supreme Court.

Option 'C' is correct: No procedure for the removal of the Governor is mentioned in the Constitution, as the Governor works under the pleasure of the President.

Option 'D' is incorrect: The Chief Minister of a Union Territory is appointed by the President, not LG.

Statement 1 is correct: When prices rise, the real value of money decreases. Debtors repay their loans with money that has less purchasing power than when they borrowed it. Therefore, debtors gain because the real burden of debt falls.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Bondholders (lenders) receive fixed interest payments. During inflation, the real value of these payments decreases, as money loses purchasing power. Thus, bondholders lose during inflation.