The law of independent assortment applies to
Law of independent assortment states alleles of genes located on different chromosomes or far apart assort into gametes independently of other gene pairs. Orientation of bivalents at metaphase I is random, so combination of maternal and paternal alleles at separate loci occurs by chance. Closely linked genes on same chromosome show parental bias, sex-linked and mitochondrial patterns deviate due to hemizygosity and maternal transmission. For unlinked genes, gametic proportions equal, producing dihybrid phenotypic classes 9:3:3:1 and confirming 2^n diversity potential. This principle is routinely tested in NEET, CBSE 11-12, CUET, CSIR-NET, GATE and MSc Genetics examinations requiring clear conceptual distinction.
Ref: Pierce, Genetics, 7th ed., Chapter 3: Independent Assortment of Unlinked Genes