Pollen grains in over 60 percent of angiosperms are shed at:

The correct answer is Option (4) → 2-celled stage

A mature pollen grain has two cells. The vegetative cell is large, with a big irregular nucleus and plenty of food. In over 60 per cent of angiosperms, the pollen grains are shed at this 2-celled stage. In the other species, the generative cell divides by mitosis to form two male gametes before shedding, so the pollen is shed at the 3-celled stage.

(1) 4-celled stage — Incorrect. A pollen grain never has four cells.

(2) 3-celled stage — Incorrect. This is found only in the remaining species (fewer than 40 per cent).

(3) 1-celled stage — Incorrect. The single-celled microspore divides to form the 2-celled pollen grain before shedding.

(4) 2-celled stage — Correct. This is the stage in over 60 per cent of angiosperms.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 28-05-2025 (Slot 1).

NCERT Extract:
Stamen, Microsporangium and Pollen Grain – “… When the pollen grain is mature it contains two cells, the vegetative cell and generative cell (Figure 1.5b). The vegetative cell is bigger, has abundant food reserve and a large irregularly shaped nucleus. The generative cell is small and floats in the cytoplasm of the vegetative cell. It is spindle shaped with dense cytoplasm and a nucleus. In over 60 per cent of angiosperms, pollen grains are shed at this 2-celled stage.”