Cell Cycle & Cell Division - NEET Previous Year Questions with Complete Solutions

Mitosis produces 2 genetically identical diploid daughter cells and occurs in somatic cells. Meiosis produces 4 genetically different haploid cells and occurs in reproductive organs. For NEET, the key differences tested are: number of divisions (1 vs. 2), crossing over (absent vs. present), and purpose (growth/repair vs. gamete formation).

The three highest-priority sub-topics are: (1) Prophase I sub-stages of meiosis (leptotene to diakinesis), (2) stage identification in mitosis (especially metaphase and anaphase), and (3) events of S phase. Together these account for over 60% of all NEET questions from this chapter across the last 10 years.

NEET typically has 3–5 questions from Cell Cycle and Cell Division every year. Based on NTA's official papers from 2010 to 2024, this chapter has never had fewer than 2 questions in any NEET paper, making it one of the most consistently tested Class 11 Biology chapters.

G0 phase is a quiescent (resting) state where cells exit the active cell cycle and neither divide nor prepare to divide. Cells in G0 include neurons, cardiac muscle cells, and mature red blood cells (which lack a nucleus). NEET frequently asks which cell types permanently exit the cell cycle — neurons are the most commonly tested answer.

The complete PYQ set with year-wise questions and detailed solutions is available on this page (scroll to the interactive module above). For downloadable PDF access, use the eSaral app, which includes chapter-wise NEET PYQs with solutions for all Biology topics, curated by eSaral's faculty — an academic team mentored by IIT Bombay toppers including  AIR-41 rankers.

Yes — it is considered a high-scoring, concept-stable chapter for NEET. The NTA rarely introduces completely new question types from this chapter. Students who study NCERT thoroughly and practise all available PYQs typically score full marks from this chapter.