IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated: 02/08/2004 Coram THE HONOURABLE Mr. B. SUBHASHAN REDDY, Chief Justice and THE HONOURABLE Mrs. Justice PRABHA SRIDEVAN W.A. No.2476 of 2004 and W.A.Nos.2565, 2573, 2590, 2591, 2605, 2606, 2607, 2608, 2609, 2460, 2461, 2616, 2620, 2658, 2659, 2660, 2661, 2664, 2665, 2666, 2667, 2668, 2669, 2670 to 2672, 2678, 2778 and 2781 of 2004 and W.P. No. 19993 of 2004 and W.A.M.P. No. 4560 of 2004 and W.A.M.P.No.4715, 4728, 4765, 4766, 4794, 4795 to 4797, 4798, 4806, 4526, 4527, 4820, 4829, 4918, 4920, 4923, 4924, 4925, 4932 to 4935, 4939 to 4941 & 4950 of 2004 and W.P.M.P. No.24071 of 2004. W.A. No.2460 of 2004 G. Nanthini ... Appellant -VS- 1.The Registrar, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 25. 2.The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary to Government, Health Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 3.The Secretary, Selection Committee, Kilpauk, Chennai - 10. Respondents W.A. No.2461 of 2004 K. Shanmugasundaram Appellant -VS- 1. The Registrar, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 25. 2. The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary to Government, Health Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 3. The Secretary, Selection Committee, Kilpauk, Chennai - 10. ... Respondents W.A. No.2590 of 2004 J. Julian Deepak, No.64, Vasanthapuram, Pelakuppam Road, Tindivanam - 604 001. Villupuram District. ... Appellant -VS- 1. Medical Council of India, Aiwar-E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundari College for Women, New Delhi. 2. State of Tamil Nadu, rep.by its Secretary to Government, Health Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009. 3. The Secretary, TNPCEE 2004 (Tamilnadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination 2003), Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600025. 4. The Secretary, Selection Committee for Admission of MBBS Course, No.162, Periyar E.V.R. Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600010. ... Respondents W.A.No.2591 of 2004 N. Priyadharsini, minor rep. by her father S. Nagamuthu, No.8, Ukkadaiambal Colony, Thanjavur District. ... Appellant -VS- 1. Medical Council of India, Aiwar-E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundari College for Women, New Delhi. 2. State of Tamil Nadu, rep.by its Secretary to Government, Health Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009. 3. The Secretary, TNPCEE 2004 (Tamilnadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination 2003), Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600025. 4. The Secretary, Selection Committee for Medical Education, No.162, Periyar E.V.R. Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600010. ... Respondents W.A.No.2609 of 2004 R.N.Abinaya ... Appellant -VS- 1. S.Kiruthiga 2. Medical Council of India, Aiwar-E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundari College for Women, New Delhi. 3. State of Tamil Nadu, rep.by its Secretary to Government, Health Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009. 4. The Secretary, TNPCEE 2004 (Tamilnadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination 2003), Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600025. 5. The Secretary, Selection Committee for Admission of MBBS Course, No.162, Periyar E.V.R. Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2605 of 2004 V.Kannan ... Appellant 1. The Govt. of Tamil Nadu rep. by its Secretary Higher Education Department Fort St. George, Chennai 2. The Secretary Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examinations-2004 Anna University Chennai 3. The Secretary Selection Committee Directorate of Medical Education Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010. 4. The Director Directorate of Medical Education Kilpauk, Chennai 600 025. ... Respondents W.A.No.2606/2004 V,.Arumugakani ... Appellant -VS- 1.State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-9. 2.The Secretary, TNPCEE 2004 (Tamilnadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination 2003) Anna University, Guindy, Chennai-600 025. 3.The Secretary, Selection Committee for Admission to I year MBBS/BDS and Paramedical courses for 2004-2005, Ch-10 4.The Director of Medical Education, Ch-10. ... Respondents W.A.No.2607/2004 D.Karhiga ... Appellant -VS- 1.State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-9. 2.The Secretary, TNPCEE 2004 (Tamilnadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination 2003) Anna University, Guindy, Chennai-600 025. 3.The Secretary, Selection Committee for Admission to I year MBBS/BDS and Paramedical courses for 2004-2005, Ch-10 4.The Director of Medical Education, Ch-10. ... Respondents W.A.No.2608/2004 V.Saranya ... Appellant -VS- 1.State of Tamil Nadu rep. by its Secretary to Government, Education Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009. 2.The Secretary, TNPCEE 2004 (Tamilnadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination 2003) Anna University, Guindy, Chennai-600 025. 3.The Secretary, Selection Committee for Admission to I year MBBS/BDS and Paramedical courses for 2004-2005, Ch-10. ... Respondents W.A. No.2616 of 2004 Minor. K.T. Dhileepan Rep. by his father Dr. K. Thyagarajan ... Appellant -VS- 1. Medical Council of India, Aiwar - E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundaari College for Women, New Delhi. 2. The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, Health Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 3. The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025. 4. The Secretary, Selection Committee for admission to MBBS Course, No.162, EVR Periyar Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2620 of 2004 W. Leena Jeris ... Appellant -VS- 1. The Government of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, Higher Education Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 2. The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025. 3. The Secretary, Selection Committee for admission to MBBS Course, No.162, EVR Periyar Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. 4. The Director, Directorate of Medical Education, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2658 of 2004 D. Hannah ... Appellant -VS- 1. The Secretary, TNPCEE, Anna University, Chennai - 32. 2. The Secretary, Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education, 162, EVR Road, Chennai - 10. ... Respondents W.A. No.2659 of 2004 Minor Divya J Rep. by her mother and Natural guardian J. Punithavathy ... Appellant -VS- 1. The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025. 2. The Secretary, Selection Committee for admission to MBBS Course, No.162, EVR Periyar Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. 3. The Vice Chancellor, Anna University, Chennai - 25. 4. The Director, Directorate of Medical Education, Kilpauk, Chennai - 10. 5. The Government of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, Health Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 6. S. Adrine Janie Rosy, Minor, rep. by mother & natural guardian ... Respondents W.A. No.2660 of 2004 Minor. M. Mohad. Junald Rep. by father & natural guardian Mr. Mohd. Habeebullah ... Appellant -VS- 1. The Registrar, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. 2. The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, Health Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 3. The Secretary, Selection Committee for admission to MBBS Course, No.162, EVR Periyar Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2661 of 2004 M. Kumar ... Appellant -VS- 1. S. Kiruthiga 2. Medical Council of India, Aiwar - E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundaari College for Women, New Delhi. 3. The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, Health Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 4. The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025. 5. The Secretary, Selection Committee for admission to MBBS Course, No.162, EVR Periyar Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2664 of 2004 P. Padmini Priyadharsini ... Appellant -VS- 1. The Secretary, TNPCEE, Anna University, Chennai - 32. 2. The Secretary, Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education, 162, EVR Road, Chennai - 10. 3. S. Venmathi ... Respondents W.A. No.2665 of 2004 H. Farook Khan ... Appellant -VS- 1. The Secretary, TNPCEE, Anna University, Chennai - 32. 2. The Secretary, Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education, 162, EVR Road, Chennai - 10. 3. S. Venmathi ... Respondents W.A. No.2666 of 2004 M. Anbarasan ... Appellant -VS- 1. S. Kiruthiga 2. Medical Council of India, Aiwar - E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundaari College for Women, New Delhi. 3. The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, Health Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 4. The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025. 5. The Secretary, Selection Committee for admission to MBBS Course, No.162, EVR Periyar Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2667 of 2004 R. John Santha Vinothan ... Appellant -VS- 1. S. Kiruthiga 2. Medical Council of India, Aiwar - E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundaari College for Women, New Delhi. 3. The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, Health Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 4. The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025. 5. The Secretary, Selection Committee for admission to MBBS Course, No.162, EVR Periyar Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2668 of 2004 R. Someshwaran ... Appellant -VS- 1. S. Kiruthiga 2. Medical Council of India, Aiwar - E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundaari College for Women, New Delhi. 3. The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, Health Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 4. The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025. 5. The Secretary, Selection Committee for admission to MBBS Course, No.162, EVR Periyar Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2669 of 2004 S. Deepak ... Appellant -VS- 1. S. Kiruthiga 2. Medical Council of India, Aiwar - E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundaari College for Women, New Delhi. 3. The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, Health Department, Fort St. George, CHENNAI - 600 009. 4. The Secretary, Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025. 5. The Secretary, Selection Committee for admission to MBBS Course, No.162, EVR Periyar Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2670 of 2004 A.G. Thivyah Prabha ... Appellant -VS- 1. The Secretary, TNPCEE, Anna University, Chennai - 32. 2. The Secretary, Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education, 162, EVR Road, Chennai - 10. 3. S. Venmathi ... Respondents W.A. No.2671 of 2004 J. Subadhra ... Appellant -VS- 1. The Secretary, TNPCEE, Anna University, Chennai - 32. 2. The Secretary, Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education, 162, EVR Road, Chennai - 10. 3. S. Venmathi ... Respondents W.A. No.2672 of 2004 N. Premanand ... Appellant -VS- 1. The Secretary, TNPCEE, Anna University, Chennai - 32. 2. The Secretary, Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education, 162, EVR Road, Chennai - 10. 3. S. Venmathi ... Respondents Appeals against the order of the learned single Judge dated 15.6.2004 in W.P. Nos.14587 of 2004 etc. batch. W.A. No.2678 of 2004 Minor V.S. Parasaran ... Appellant -VS- 1. Medical Council of India, Aiwar-E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundari College for Women, New Delhi. 2. State of Tamil Nadu, rep.by its Secretary to Government, Health Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009. 3. The Secretary, TNPCEE 2004 (Tamilnadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination 2003), Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600025. 4. The Secretary, Selection Committee for Admission of MBBS Course, No.162, Periyar E.V.R. Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2778 of 2004 V. Amirtharajan ... Appellant -VS- 1. Medical Council of India, Aiwar-E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundari College for Women, New Delhi. 2. State of Tamil Nadu, rep.by its Secretary to Government, Health Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009. 3. The Secretary, TNPCEE 2004 (Tamilnadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination 2003), Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600025. 4. The Secretary, Selection Committee for Admission of MBBS Course, No.162, Periyar E.V.R. Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600010. ... Respondents W.A. No.2781 of 2004 M.S.P.S. Rajavel ... Appellant -VS- 1. S. Kruthiga 2. Medical Council of India, Aiwar-E, Gabib Marg, Kotla Road, Opposite to Madasundari College for Women, New Delhi. 3. State of Tamil Nadu, rep.by its Secretary to Government, Health Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009. 4. The Secretary, TNPCEE 2004 (Tamilnadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination 2003), Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600025. 5. The Secretary, Selection Committee for Admission of MBBS Course, No.162, Periyar E.V.R. Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600010. ... Respondents Appeals against the order of the learned single Judge dated 15.6.2004 in W.P. Nos.14587 of 2004 etc. batch. W.P. No.19993 of 2004 Minor S. Lavanya ... Petitioner -VS- 1. The Govt. of Tamil Nadu rep. by its Secretary Higher Education Department Fort St. George, Chennai 2. The Secretary Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examinations-2004 Anna University Chennai 3. The Secretary Selection Committee Directorate of Medical Education Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010. 4. The Director Directorate of Medical Education Kilpauk, Chennai 600 025. ... Respondents Petition under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus for the reasons stated therein. !For Appellant in W.A. No.2476 :Mr. P. Jayaraman, Sr. Counsel, of 2004 for M/s.R.Sankara Subbu For Appellant in W.A. No.2565 : Mr. P. Jagadeesan of 2004 For Appellants in W.A. Nos.2573, : Mr. R. Viduthalai 2590, 2591, 2608, 2620 and 2666 to 2669 of 2004 For Appellants in W.A. Nos.2605 to : Mr. Kandavadivel Doraisami 2607 of 2004 and for Petitioners in W.P. No.19993 of 2004 For Appellant in W.A. No.2609 : Mr. P. Saravana Sowmiyan of 2004 For Appellants in W.A. Nos.2460 and : Mr. S. Saravanan 2461 of 2004 For Appellant in W.A. No.2616 of : Mr. S. Ashok Kumar 2004 For Appellant in W.A. No.2658, 2664 : Mr. R. Sankara Subbu and 2665 of 2004 For Appellant in W.A. No.2659 of : Mr. Veerakathiravan 2004 For Appellant in W.A. No.2660 of : Mr. AR. L. Sundaresan 2004 For Appellant in W.A. No.2661 of : Mr. S. Nagamuthu 2004 For Appellant in W.A. Nos.2670 and : Mr. K. Gandhikumar 2672 of 2004 For Petitioner in W.P. No.19993 of : Mr. Muthumani Doraisamy 2004 For Petitioner in WAMP No.4950 of : Mr. P.N. Radhakrishnan 2004 ^For Respondent / Anna University : Mr. G. Masilamani, Sr. Counsel for M/s. G.M. Mani Associates For Respondent/Government : Mr. V.R. Rajasekaran, Spl. G.P :JUDGMENT THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE This batch of Writ Appeals relate to admissions to MBBS/BDS courses for the academic year 2002 - 2005. The Writ Appeals arise out of the common judgment rendered by the learned single Judge dated 15.6.2004 in W.P. No.14587 of 2004 etc. batch. 2. The Entrance Examination was conducted by Anna University. The criteria for selection is based upon the marks obtained by the candidates, both in the qualifying examination (+2) as also the marks secured in Entrance Examination. 120 questions were set for Physical Sciences comprising of Physics and Chemistry and 140 questions for Biology. The questions are selected from the question bank containing keyanswers. But, peculiarly, after the examinations were held, another expert committee is constituted, whose valuation is given the finality, giving a go-bye to the key answers provided by the paper setters. 3. Out of abovementioned questions, dispute regarding the correctness of the valuation over 25 questions was raised. There was no argument on three of the questions, leaving 22 questions to be addressed by this Court. The learned single Judge has taken much pains in going into the matter in detail referring to several standard books on various disciplines. 4. In the dispute relating to the evaluation of answer papers of entrance examination with multiple choices objective type tests, the judgment rendered by the Supreme Court in KANPUR UNIVERSITY v. SAMIR GUPTA (AIR 1983 SC 1230) is an authoritative one. The said view holds good even now and has been followed in several decisions. What is deducible from the above Supreme Court decision is that (i) normally the key answer is presumed to be correct unless there is a glaring instance of fallacy; (ii) the standard text book is the norm; and (iii) the key answer as traceable to the standard text book has to be preferred and relied upon as that is the basis well known to the students for preparation for examinations. In the above decision, one more significant factor is the acceptance of the students' contention regarding correctness of the questions answered by them basing upon the text books. If the prescribed text book is not followed, then it would lead to endless litigation as there are infinite number of books written by different authors on each of the disciplines and at times they may differ from each other by which more confusion is added rather than solving the problem. It is also necessary to have some suitable guidelines so as to avoid this perpetual litigation relating to the entrance tests which almost crop up every year when the entrance tests are conducted resulting in the delay in admissions and also heart-burn among the student community and particularly mental anguish to their parents. That is why, we feel it safe, as propounded by the Supreme Court, to follow the prescribed text books in deciding the correctness of the key answers provided by the paper setters. Only if the key answers provided by the paper setter are against the text book, we can go to other standard books. Keeping the above factors in view, we now proceed to take up the questions, which are disputed. 5. i. On six questions, there is unanimity in the answers provided by the paper setter as also the expert committee. The learned single Judge has rightly accepted the same to be correct. There is no case made out for holding contra. ii. Three questions suffer from inconsistency because of the variation in Tamil translation. In objective type examinations like the instant one, the candidates are required to answer by ticking by which it cannot be said that the question was answered by the candidate after understanding the question in English or Tamil. In view of the said uncertainty, the learned single Judge was correct in accepting the recommendation of the Expert Committee for deletion of the said questions from valuation, contra to the view of the paper setter. iii. There are two other questions where the expert committee differs from the paper setters. The expert committee has given valid reasons for differing from the paper setter. The learned single Judge has rightly accepted the view of the expert committee. iv. In Question No.105 of MA 7, the expert committee differed from the key answer provided. Highly concentrated mineral in the cerebro-spinal fluid is 1. Potassium 2. Sodium 3. Magnesium 4. Chlorine The learned single Judge has accepted the key answer provided by the paper setter. The learned single Judge has given reasons for accepting the key answer, which is in conformity with the prescribed textbook and hence calls for no interference. v. With regard to question No.64 of BS 6, the expert committee held that there is one more correct answer apart from the key answer and recommended deletion. The question is as follows: (Question No.64 of BS 6) Outer electronic configuration of four elements A, B, C and D is given below. Which among them can form multiple bonds? 1. A...(He) 2s2 2p3 2. B...(Ne)3s2 3p3 3. C...(Ar) 4s24p3 4. D...(Kr)5s2 5p3 The learned single Judge has rightly directed awarding of marks for both the answers i.e. nitrogen and phosphorus as they form multiple bonds. vi. There are some questions (A to I below), which were ordered to be deleted by the expert committee. They are the following: A. (Question No.87 of BS 6) What will be the pH of the buffer solution containing 0.2 mole of acetic acid and 0.1 mole of sodium acetate per litre? The dissociation constant of acetic acid is 1.8 x 10 -5 1. 5.674 2. 4.474 3. 6.874 4. 3.274 B. (Question No.88 of BS 6) Unit of equivalent conductance ^c is 1. Sm2gm/equivalent 2. Sm2 mole -1 3. Smetre -1 4. Sm2 gm equivalent C. (Question No.116 of BS 6) Amino acid which is not optically active is 1. CH 2 COO - NH3 2. CH 3 CHCOO - NH 3 3. (CH3)2CHCH2CHCOO - NH3 4. (CH3)2CHCHCOO-NH3 D. (Question 119 of Bs6) A Zndust B anhydrous Alcl3 C Zu/Hg Hcl ..D. then A and D are 1. Benzene, Phenol 2. Phenol, ethyl benzene 3. Phenol, biphenyl 4. Benzene, Toluene (E) Question No.77 of BS 6 The enthalpy of combustion of butane is -2890 kJ at STP. The amount of heat liberated when 1.12 x 10-2 m3 of butane is completely burnt at STP is 1. -1445 kJ 2. 1445 kJ 3. -2890 kJ 4. 2890 kJ (F) Question No.76 of BS 6 The change in the value of enthalpy of formation of ammonia is 1. - 45.5 kJ 2. + 45.5 kJ 3. - 91 kJ 4. + 91 kJ (G) Question No.80 of BS 6 In an exothermic reversible reaction, the increase in temperature 1. increases the rate of forward reaction 2. increases the rate of backward reaction 3. increases the rate of forward and backward reactions to the same extent 4. does not affect the rate of reaction (H) Question No.27 of MA7 The mutation that alters the phenotype of an organism is 1. translocation 2. point mutation 3. deletion mutation 4. substitution mutation (I) Bees wax is 1. CH3 (CH2)14 COOC 16 H33 2. CH3(CH2)16 COOC 26 H53 3. CH3 (CH2) 14 COOC 31H63 4. CH3(CH2)16COOC34H53 These questions are dealt with by us since we feel it necessary. So far as the other three questions (B) to (D) are concerned viz., Question Nos.88, 116 and 119 of BS6, we find the deletion to be correct as in the second one, the options printed are incorrect, in the third one, the structure formulae given as options are incorrect and in the fourth one, the question is an incomplete one. Coming to the question (A), the key answer is Option 2. The expert committee ordered deletion because Option 2 says 4.474 whereas the correct answer is 4.444. Since the Committee also says that usually the value is truncated to two digits, the key answer may be accepted. Further the alternative options do not emanate from the same series. Having regard to the above, the key answer provided by the paper setter has to be awarded marks. Coming to the question (E) i.e. Question No.77 of BS6, the key answer given is Option 1 but expert committee says Option 2 also is correct and opines that the question may confuse the candidates. The learned single Judge ordered awarding of marks to the candidates who have shaded Options 1 and 2. The question is as follows: The enthalpy of combustion of butane is -2890 kJ at STP. The amount of heat liberated when 1.12 x 10-2 m3 of butane is completely burnt at STP is 1. -1445 kJ 2. 1445 kJ 3. -2890 kJ 4. 2890 kJ We find no confusion in the question as in the prescribed textbook of Chemistry for Standard XII (Revised Edition - 2000 ; Reprint : 2003), at page 130 enthalpy of combustion is correctly defined as the enthalpy change which accompanies the complete combustion of one mole of substance. Combustion reactions are always exothermic and hence the enthalpy of combustion is negative. In the textbook, example is given as follows: The enthalpy of combustion of methane is -890.2 kJ. It can be represented by the following thermochemical equation. CH4(g) + 20 2(g) ------------> CO 2(g) + 2H2O(1) AH = -890.2 kJ Thus, it is clear that enthalpy reaction is always negative. Hence, the key answer should be accepted and marks have to be awarded only to the candidates who have shaded Option 1. As regards Question (F) is concerned, regarding the change in the value of enthalpy of formation of ammonia, the expert committee recommended deletion on the ground that the construction of question is wrong. The key answer is given is choice No.1. The learned single Judge accepted the key answer. We agree with the views of the learned single Judge as the key answer has to be accepted as it conforms to the answer given in page 129 of the prescribed text book (Chemistry Higher Secondary - Second Year, Revised Edition - 2000). As regards Question (G) is concerned, the paper setter has provided