Samkhya three pramana acceptance – UGC NET Question

Samkhya typically recognises only three pramanas: perception, inference and verbal testimony. This restricted list reflects the school's attempt to balance epistemic sufficiency with theoretical economy. They consider these three sources adequate for demonstrating the existence of purusha, prakriti and other key categories. Thus the correct number of pramanas for Samkhya is three.

Option A:
Option A, two, would be insufficient for Samkhya because it relies not only on perception but also on inference and scripture to justify metaphysical claims. Reducing the list to two would remove an important epistemic pillar.

Option B:
Option B, four, incorrectly attributes to Samkhya the Nyaya inclusion of comparison as a separate pramana. Samkhya does not isolate upamana as an independent means of knowledge.

Option C:
Option C is correct because classical presentations of Samkhya doctrine repeatedly affirm three pramanas: pratyaksha, anumana and sabda. This triad supports their dualistic ontology and theory of liberation.

Option D:
Option D, five, mistakenly imports pramanas such as arthapatti and anupalabdhi that belong to Mimamsa or Vedanta traditions, not to standard Samkhya.