The Big Bang theory (approx. 13.8 billion years ago) is the leading model for the universe’s origin, proposing a rapid expansion from an extremely hot, dense, tiny point. Over billions of years, this expansion cooled the universe, allowing atoms to form, leading to stars, galaxies, and complex structures held by gravity.
NDA & CDS 1 2026 Exam GK – Universe & Evolution Theories
1. The most widely accepted theory for the origin of the Universe is:
A) Steady State Theory
B) Big Bang Theory
C) Nebular Hypothesis
D) Pulsating Theory
Answer: B) Big Bang Theory
Explanation: The Big Bang Theory states that the Universe began about 13.8 billion years ago from an extremely hot and dense state and has been expanding ever since.
2. The discovery of the expanding Universe was made by:
A) Isaac Newton
B) Albert Einstein
C) Edwin Hubble
D) Galileo Galilei
Answer: C) Edwin Hubble
Explanation: Edwin Hubble observed that galaxies are moving away from us, proving the Universe is expanding.
3. The radiation that supports the Big Bang Theory is:
A) X-rays
B) Gamma rays
C) Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
D) Ultraviolet rays
Answer: C) Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
Explanation: The Cosmic Microwave Background is leftover radiation from the early Universe, discovered in 1965, providing strong evidence for the Big Bang.
4. The theory that states matter is continuously created is:
A) Big Bang Theory
B) Nebular Theory
C) Steady State Theory
D) Tidal Theory
Answer: C) Steady State Theory
Explanation: The Steady State Theory suggests the Universe has always existed and matter is continuously formed.
5. The formation of the Solar System is explained by:
A) Big Bang Theory
B) Nebular Hypothesis
C) Evolution Theory
D) Continental Drift Theory
Answer: B) Nebular Hypothesis
Explanation: The Nebular Hypothesis proposes that the Solar System formed from a rotating cloud of gas and dust.
6. Our galaxy is known as:
A) Andromeda
B) Milky Way
C) Orion
D) Pegasus
Answer: B) Milky Way
Explanation: The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System.
7. The red shift of light indicates:
A) Stars are cooling
B) Universe is shrinking
C) Objects are moving away
D) Planets are rotating
Answer: C) Objects are moving away
Explanation: Red shift shows that galaxies are moving away from us, supporting the expansion of the Universe.
8. The approximate age of the Universe is:
A) 4.6 billion years
B) 13.8 billion years
C) 100 million years
D) 20 billion years
Answer: B) 13.8 billion years
Explanation: Scientific measurements estimate the Universe’s age at about 13.8 billion years.
9. The nearest galaxy to the Milky Way is:
A) Whirlpool Galaxy
B) Andromeda Galaxy
C) Sombrero Galaxy
D) Triangulum Galaxy
Answer: B) Andromeda Galaxy
Explanation: The Andromeda Galaxy is the closest large galaxy to ours.
10. The force responsible for holding planets in orbit is:
A) Magnetic force
B) Nuclear force
C) Gravitational force
D) Electric force
Answer: C) Gravitational force
Explanation: Gravity keeps planets orbiting around the Sun.
🧬 Evolution Theories
11. The theory of evolution by natural selection was proposed by:
A) Gregor Mendel
B) Charles Darwin
C) Louis Pasteur
D) Lamarck
Answer: B) Charles Darwin
Explanation: Charles Darwin proposed evolution through natural selection in his book On the Origin of Species.
12. Lamarck proposed the theory of:
A) Natural Selection
B) Mutation
C) Inheritance of Acquired Characters
D) Genetic Drift
Answer: C) Inheritance of Acquired Characters
Explanation: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck suggested that acquired traits are passed to offspring.
13. According to Darwin, survival of the fittest means:
A) Strongest survive
B) Intelligent survive
C) Best adapted survive
D) Largest survive
Answer: C) Best adapted survive
Explanation: “Survival of the fittest” means organisms best adapted to their environment survive and reproduce.
14. The modern theory of evolution combines Darwinism with:
A) Chemistry
B) Physics
C) Genetics
D) Astronomy
Answer: C) Genetics
Explanation: Modern Synthetic Theory combines natural selection with genetics.
15. Fossils provide evidence for:
A) Continental drift
B) Evolution
C) Big Bang
D) Solar eclipse
Answer: B) Evolution
Explanation: Fossils show gradual changes in organisms over time.
16. The example of giraffe’s long neck is related to:
A) Darwin
B) Lamarck
C) Mendel
D) Pasteur
Answer: B) Lamarck
Explanation: Lamarck explained giraffe neck elongation by use and disuse theory.
17. Homologous organs indicate:
A) Common ancestry
B) Same function
C) No relation
D) Artificial selection
Answer: A) Common ancestry
Explanation: Homologous organs have similar structure but different functions, indicating common origin.
18. Variation in species is important because it:
A) Stops evolution
B) Causes extinction
C) Helps adaptation
D) Reduces reproduction
Answer: C) Helps adaptation
Explanation: Variations increase survival chances in changing environments.
19. The scientist known as Father of Genetics is:
A) Darwin
B) Mendel
C) Lamarck
D) Watson
Answer: B) Mendel
Explanation: Gregor Mendel discovered the basic laws of inheritance.
20. Human evolution traces back to:
A) Fish
B) Reptiles
C) Primates
D) Birds
Answer: C) Primates
Explanation: Humans evolved from primate ancestors over millions of years.
21. With reference to the Big Bang Theory, consider the following statements:
- The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) is uniformly distributed with no temperature fluctuations.
- The abundance of light elements like hydrogen and helium supports the Big Bang model.
- Redshift observed in distant galaxies is explained by the Doppler effect alone.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B) 2 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: CMBR shows slight temperature anisotropies.
- Statement 2 is correct: Predicted abundance of hydrogen and helium strongly supports Big Bang nucleosynthesis.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Cosmological redshift is primarily due to expansion of space, not merely Doppler effect.
22. Regarding the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection proposed by Charles Darwin, consider the following:
- Natural selection acts on phenotypic variations.
- Acquired characters are inherited.
- Overproduction of offspring leads to struggle for existence.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 1 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Selection acts on observable traits (phenotype).
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Inheritance of acquired characters was proposed by Lamarck, not Darwin.
- Statement 3 is correct: Overproduction leads to competition, a key principle of Darwinism.
23. Which of the following observations provided decisive evidence against the Steady State Theory?
A) Discovery of pulsars
B) Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
C) Formation of black holes
D) Solar wind
Answer: B) Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
Explanation:
The discovery of CMBR in 1965 contradicted the Steady State Theory, which proposed an eternal unchanging universe. CMBR supports a hot dense origin.
24. In the context of Modern Synthetic Theory of Evolution, which of the following are sources of genetic variation?
- Mutation
- Genetic recombination
- Natural selection
- Genetic drift
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 4 only
C) 1, 2, 3 and 4
D) 2 and 3 only
Answer: B) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation:
- Mutation and recombination create variation.
- Genetic drift changes gene frequency randomly.
- Natural selection does not create variation; it selects among existing variations.
