Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Government of India approved the manufacture and direct agricultural application of Anhydrous Ammonia NH3 specifically under the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985 for a three-year trial period starting July 23, 2026.

Statement 2 is correct: Anhydrous ammonia approved for farming contains at least 82% nitrogen. In comparison, conventional granular urea contains roughly 46% nitrogen. Because 46% times 2 = 92%, anhydrous ammonia 82% holds more than double the concentration of nitrogen found in urea.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Anhydrous ammonia cannot be surface-broadcasted like traditional granular urea. Because it exists as a volatile, pungent gas at standard temperatures, it must be injected below the soil surface using specialized mechanized equipment. Once injected beneath the surface, it immediately reacts with soil moisture to form stable ammonium ions that plants can readily absorb.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Direct application of ammonia is highly rare outside of North America. Successful implementation will make India the fourth country in the world—following the United States, Canada, and Australia—to utilize anhydrous ammonia directly in fields. This also establishes India as the first country in Asia to do so.

Statement 2 is correct: The direct usage policy supports India's environmental goals by encouraging the production and consumption of Green Ammonia and Green Urea. This directly reinforces the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which looks to clean hydrogen pathways to synthesize sustainable green ammonia.

Statement 3 is correct: Under normal ambient temperatures, anhydrous ammonia is a toxic and highly corrosive gas. To handle it safely, it must be stored and moved as a liquid under high-pressure conditions. India currently faces a steep infrastructure gap, lacking the specialized high-pressure storage tanks, transport pipelines, and custom field-injection machinery required for secure handling.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Tenth Schedule, popularly known as the Anti-Defection Law, was inserted into the Constitution via the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 to combat political defections.

Statement 2 is correct: The original Act provided an exception for a 'split' where one-third of a party's legislators broke away. Due to rampant misuse, the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 omitted this one-third split exception.

Statement 3 is correct: Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule specifies that a member shall not be disqualified if their original party merges with another party, provided that not less than two-thirds of the members of the legislature party concerned have agreed to such merger.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: In Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992), the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Tenth Schedule, ruling that it does not violate any democratic principles or the basic structure of the Constitution.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While the court held that the Speaker acts as a tribunal when deciding disqualification matters, it explicitly ruled that the Speaker’s decision is subject to judicial review on grounds of mala fides, perversity, or violation of constitutional mandates and natural justice.

Statement 3 is correct: Due to concerns regarding political bias and delays by Speakers belonging to ruling parties, various committees and legal experts have recommended shifting the adjudicatory power to an independent mechanism, such as an external tribunal or an Independent Adjudicatory Authority.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Microporellus kolhapurensis is a newly identified species of polypore fungus discovered in the Bhudargad Taluka of the Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.

Statement 2 is correct: While most closely related fungi and conventional bracket fungi attach directly to wood sides, this unique species exhibits a distinct ground-growing habit accompanied by an umbrella-shaped structure and a lateral stalk.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The pores of polypores are located on the underside (not the upper surface) of their fruiting body, and they protect and release spores (not pollen) to enable fungal reproduction.