It is an accepted fact that Hardy–Weinberg principle explains that a genetic equilibrium is maintained in a population over time under certain conditions. Which of the following condition does not facilitate maintenance of equilibrium?

Correct option is C

Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Genetic drift is a stochastic change in allele frequencies, most pronounced in small populations, and therefore disturbs Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium rather than maintaining it.
Information Booster:
H–W equilibrium assumes very large population size.
Random mating is required.
No mutation, migration, or selection.
Independent assortment is part of normal meiosis and does not by itself disturb equilibrium assumptions.
Drift violates the “infinite population” assumption → causes random allele frequency shifts.
Additional Information (Incorrect Options):
(a) Large population size → supports equilibrium.
(b) Independent assortment → consistent with H–W assumptions.
(d) Random mating → required; non-random mating alters genotype frequencies.