Chromosomal theory of inheritance was proposed by:

The correct answer is Option (2) → Sutton and Boveri

The chromosomal theory of inheritance says that Mendel’s factors (genes) are carried on chromosomes. Walter Sutton and Theodore Boveri saw that chromosomes behave like genes: both occur in pairs, both separate when gametes form, and both pairs sort out independently. Sutton joined this with Mendel’s principles and called it the chromosomal theory of inheritance.

(1) Watson and Crick — Incorrect. They proposed the double helix model of DNA in 1953.

(2) Sutton and Boveri — Correct. They proposed the chromosomal theory of inheritance.

(3) Griffith and Avery — Incorrect. Griffith found the ‘transforming principle’. Avery, MacLeod and McCarty later showed that it is DNA.

(4) Correns and Tschermak — Incorrect. Along with de Vries, they rediscovered Mendel’s results in 1900.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 07-06-2026 (Slot 2), in CUET (UG) 2025 on 13-05-2025 (Slot 2), and in CUET (UG) 2023 on 08-06-2023 (Slot 3).

NCERT Extract:
Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance – …