Is evolution a fact?

YES

I believe the concept of evolution is both a theory and a fact! Some parts of evolution are ideas scientists believe are true, while other parts are things we can see and prove.

For example, have you noticed how the body parts we use a lot get stronger, and the ones we don’t use much get weaker? I’m a lefty, and my left hand is definitely stronger than my right hand because I use it so much more.

There’s also this famous saying: “It’s not the strongest or the smartest who survive, but those who can adapt to change.” I’ve seen this in real life too! People who adjust to new things quickly seem to do better, while those who don’t like change often struggle to keep up.

But some parts of evolution, like how animals changed over millions of years — from fish to amphibians, then reptiles, birds, and mammals —are harder to prove. We’ve never seen these changes happen because they take way longer than a human lifetime. That’s why those parts of evolution are more like theories.

So, evolution is a mix of things we know for sure and ideas that help us understand how life works. Isn’t that fascinating?

Tulsi Tavargeri, 9, Bengaluru, Karnataka 

NO

Evolution is a scientific theory and not a fact. The term “theory” in scientific terms is a well-substantiated explanation of natural phenomena, supported by substantial evidence. There are different theories about the origin of life on earth. Evolution explains how species change over time through mechanisms like natural selection and genetic drift, supported by evidence from genetics, palaeontology, and comparative anatomy. However, calling it a “fact” oversimplifies its complexity and misrepresents the nature of scientific inquiry, as theories evolve with new evidence.

Evolution as a theory offers a broader, more comprehensive understanding than a fact alone. Theories are not fixed; they evolve as new evidence emerges, which is central to any scientific progress. Evolution is not simply a one-time observation but a dynamic process that has been tested and continually refined, by multiple scientists over the years. Evolution is best understood as a scientific theory because it provides the overarching explanation of how and why species change over time.

Thus, evolution remains a scientific theory because it provides a coherent, testable explanation, rather than a static, singular fact.

S Eva Judith, 15, Bengaluru, Karnataka