Is the $\Lambda$CDM Model in Crisis?
Abstract
We present strong evidence for dynamical dark energy that challenges the standard CDM model. Several dark energy scenarios are explored, including CDM, logarithmic, exponential, JBP, and BA parameterizations, along with non-flat cosmologies allowing for spatial curvature (). Our analysis supports a flat Universe with . Using MCMC techniques, we constrain these models with observational data from DESI~DR2 baryon acoustic oscillations, Type~Ia supernovae, and compressed CMB likelihoods. The results provide strong statistical evidence that , favoring dynamical dark-energy behavior consistent with a Quintom-B scenario (, , and ). We also derive upper bounds on the total neutrino mass, , using CMB + DESI~DR2 data: for CDM and for CDM. In the non-flat extensions, oCDM and oCDM, the limits relax to and , respectively. For the other models CDM, logarithmic, exponential, JBP, BA, and GEDE the constraints range between and . The effective number of relativistic species remains consistent with the standard value, , across all models. Bayesian evidence further shows that combining DES-SN5Y or Union3 supernova samples with CMB + DESI~DR2 produces measurable deviations from CDM. Although no model reaches the significance threshold, several exhibit tensions exceeding , suggesting emerging cracks in the cosmological constant paradigm.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2509.17124,
title = {Is the $\Lambda$CDM Model in Crisis?},
author = {Himanshu Chaudhary and Salvatore Capozziello and Subhrat Praharaj and Shibesh Kumar Jas Pacif and G. Mustafa},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.17124},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
23 pages, 11 figures, Published in Journal of High Energy Astrophysics