Evolution NEET PYQs (2005–2026) with Solutions

10 solved Evolution PYQs

Real NEET and AIPMT questions from this chapter, newest first. Try each one, then open the answer and the step-by-step explanation.

1. Question 1 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026EasyTypes of natural selection

   Natural selection can lead to _________. (a) stabilisation (b) genetic drift (c) directional change (d) disruption Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

   1. AOption A: (a) only
   2. BOption B: (a), (c) and (d) only
   3. COption C: (a), (b), (c) and (d)
   4. DOption D: (a) and (c) only

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   Correct answer: (B) (a), (c) and (d) only

   Explanation

   NCERT states that natural selection can lead to stabilisation (more individuals acquire the mean character value), directional change (more individuals acquire a value other than the mean) or disruption (more individuals acquire peripheral character values at both ends of the distribution curve). Genetic drift is a separate factor affecting Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium: it is a change in allele frequency that occurs by chance, not by selection. So natural selection leads to (a), (c) and (d) only, option (B).

2. Question 2 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026EasyEvidence of Evolution

   Which of the following is not an example of convergent evolution?

   1. AOption A: Flippers of penguins and dolphins
   2. BOption B: Eyes of octopuses and mammals
   3. COption C: Fore limbs of whales and bats
   4. DOption D: Wings of butterflies and birds

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   Correct answer: (C) Fore limbs of whales and bats

   Explanation

   Forelimbs of whales and bats are homologous structures showing divergent evolution, not convergent evolution.

3. Question 3 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026EasyHardy-Weinberg principle

   A population of diploid organisms is at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. If the frequency of allele A is 0.1, the frequency of AA is ________.

   1. AOption A: $0.01$
   2. BOption B: $0.02$
   3. COption C: $0.10$
   4. DOption D: $0.99$

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   Correct answer: (A) $0.01$

   Explanation

   At Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, if $p$ is the frequency of allele A and $q$ that of allele a, the genotype frequencies are given by $$p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1$$ The frequency of the homozygous genotype AA is $p^2$. With$p = 0.1$:$p^2 = (0.1)^2 = 0.01$. So the frequency of AA is 0.01, option (A).

4. Question 4 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026MediumChronology of Evolution

   Match List I with List II with respect to chronology of evolution of life forms. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

   1. AOption A: A(III), B(IV), C(I), D(II)
   2. BOption B: A(I), B(II), C(III), D(IV)
   3. COption C: A(II), B(IV), C(III), D(I)
   4. DOption D: A(II), B(IV), C(I), D(III)

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   Correct answer: (D) A(II), B(IV), C(I), D(III)

   Explanation

   65 mya → dinosaurs disappeared; 500 mya → invertebrates became active; 350 mya → jawless fishes evolved; 320 mya → seaweeds and early plants existed.

5. Question 5 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026HardEvidences for evolution

   Which of the following is not evidence for evolution?

   1. AOption A: Convergent evolution of traits like wings of birds and butterflies
   2. BOption B: Paleontological evidence from fossil records
   3. COption C: Embryological support for evolution as proposed by Ernst Heckel
   4. DOption D: Divergent evolution of anatomical structures such as forelimbs

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   Correct answer: (A) Convergent evolution of traits like wings of birds and butterflies, (C) Embryological support for evolution as proposed by Ernst Heckel

   Explanation

   The official key accepts both option (A) and option (C). Option (C): NCERT says Ernst Heckel proposed embryological support for evolution based on features common to all vertebrate embryos that are absent in adults, but this proposal was disproved on careful study by Karl Ernst von Baer, who noted that embryos never pass through the adult stages of other animals. So it is not valid evidence. Option (A): wings of birds and butterflies are analogous structures. They look alike and perform similar functions but are not anatomically similar and do not show common ancestry; they arise by convergent evolution. Because they do not indicate common descent, this can also be read as 'not evidence', which is why it was accepted too. Fossil records (palaeontological evidence, option B) and homologous forelimbs showing divergent evolution (option D) are standard evidences for evolution. Hence options (A) and (C) are both accepted.

6. Question 6 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026EasyOrigin and evolution of man

   Given below are two statements : Statement I : Modern Homo sapiens arose in Australia and moved across continents. Statement II : Homo sapiens arose around 75000 to 10000 years ago. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

   1. AOption A: Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
   2. BOption B: Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
   3. COption C: Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
   4. DOption D: Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

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   Correct answer: (D) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

   Explanation

   Statement I is incorrect: NCERT states Homo sapiens arose in Africa and moved across continents, developing into distinct races. It did not arise in Australia. Statement II is correct: NCERT states that during the ice age between 75,000 and 10,000 years ago modern Homo sapiens arose. Hence option (D).

7. Question 7 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026EasyAdaptive radiation and convergent evolution

   Adaptive radiation in placental mammals and Australian Marsupials leading to similarity between distant species is an example of ________.

   1. AOption A: divergent evolution
   2. BOption B: convergent evolution
   3. COption C: founder effect
   4. DOption D: genetic drift

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   Correct answer: (B) convergent evolution

   Explanation

   NCERT states that when more than one adaptive radiation appears to have occurred in an isolated geographical area (representing different habitats), it can be called convergent evolution. Placental mammals in Australia also show adaptive radiation into varieties that each appear similar to a corresponding marsupial (e.g., placental wolf and Tasmanian wolf). These are distantly related species that became similar because they adapted to similar habitats. Hence this is convergent evolution, option (B).

8. Question 8 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026EasyHomologous organs and divergent evolution

   Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A : Forelimbs of human and bats are homologous. Reason R : Forelimbs of humans and bats have similar anatomical structure. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

   1. AOption A: Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
   2. BOption B: Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
   3. COption C: A is true but R is false
   4. DOption D: A is false but R is true

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   Correct answer: (A) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A

   Explanation

   Whales, bats, cheetahs and humans share similarities in the pattern of bones of the forelimbs (humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals and phalanges), although these forelimbs perform different functions. Structures with the same basic anatomical structure but different functions, inherited from a common ancestor, are called homologous; they result from divergent evolution. So the forelimbs are homologous (A is correct) precisely because they have a similar anatomical structure (R is correct and explains A). Hence option (A).

9. Question 9 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026MediumHuman Evolution

   Evolution of human appears parallel to the progressive development of brain and language skills. As such, the evolution of individual species in the sequence of their appearance is:

   1. AOption A: Ramapithecus → Homo habilis → Homo erectus → Neanderthal → Homo sapiens
   2. BOption B: Homo sapiens → Ramapithecus → Homo habilis → Neanderthal → Homo erectus
   3. COption C: Homo habilis → Homo erectus → Ramapithecus → Neanderthal → Homo sapiens
   4. DOption D: Neanderthal → Ramapithecus → Homo habilis → Homo erectus → Homo sapiens

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   Correct answer: (A) Ramapithecus → Homo habilis → Homo erectus → Neanderthal → Homo sapiens

   Explanation

   Human evolution progressed as: Ramapithecus → Australopithecines → Homo habilis → Homo erectus → Neanderthals → Homo sapiens.

10. Question 10 (NEET 2023)

    NEET 2023MediumMechanisms of Evolution and Natural Selection

    Select the correct group/set of Australian Marsupials exhibiting adaptive radiation.

    1. AOption A: Tasmanian wolf, Bobcat, Marsupial mole
    2. BOption B: Numbat, Spotted cuscus, Flying phalanger
    3. COption C: Mole, Flying squirrel, Tasmanian tiger cat
    4. DOption D: Lemur, Anteater, Wolf

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    Correct answer: (B) Numbat, Spotted cuscus, Flying phalanger

    Explanation

    Australian marsupials such as numbat, spotted cuscus and flying phalanger are examples of adaptive radiation. The other groups contain placental mammals or unrelated animals.