UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Pancavayava literally means "having five limbs" and refers to the expanded Nyaya form of inference that explicitly lists thesis, reason, general rule with example, application and conclusion. This structure makes each step in the reasoning process transparent to the interlocutor. It is particularly useful in debate and teaching to avoid hidden assumptions. Therefore the fivefold pattern described in the stem is called pancavayava.

Option A:
Option A, trairupya, denotes the three characteristics of a valid hetu, not the five-part layout of the argument itself. While both are structural notions, they focus on different aspects of inference.

Option B:
Option B, anumana, is the general term for inference as a pramana and can be realised in different presentational formats; it is broader than the specific five-membered scheme.

Option C:
Option C, udaharana, is only one of the five members, namely the statement of general rule with example, and cannot stand for the complete structure.

Option D:
Option D is correct because pancavayava captures the idea of an argument articulated into five ordered avayavas. It highlights Nyaya's commitment to rigorous exposition of inferential steps.