UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Drstanta is the illustrative instance cited in a Nyaya inference to make the vyapti between hetu and sadhya clear. It typically refers to a familiar case where the reason and the probandum are known to co-occur, such as a kitchen where smoke and fire are always found together. By presenting this example, the arguer helps the listener grasp and accept the universal concomitance underlying the inference. Thus the example described in the stem is called drstanta.

Option A:
Option A, paksha, is the subject in which the property is to be established, such as the hill said to be fiery. It is the locus of inference, not the illustrative case demonstrating the general relation.

Option B:
Option B is correct because drstanta literally means “seen example” and functions to support the step from general rule to the specific case by reminding the audience of known instances. It is a distinct member of the five-part Nyaya argument.

Option C:
Option C, upanaya, is the application step that explicitly connects the general vyapti shown by the drstanta to the paksha, stating that the reason present in the subject falls under that universal relation.

Option D:
Option D, nigamana, is the final concluding statement that restates the thesis as established, not the example used to clarify the inference.

Drstanta is the example that makes the universal relation between hetu and sadhya vivid and acceptable to the listener. It usually cites a familiar case where both occur together, such as fire and smoke in a kitchen. This helps to ground the claim of vyapti empirically. Therefore the example described in the stem is called drstanta.

Option A:
Option A is correct because drstanta literally means “seen instance” and functions as the third component of the Nyaya inference, combining a general statement with an example. It is central in showing that the hetu–sadhya connection is not merely speculative.

Option B:
Option B, paksha, is the specific subject of inference like the hill, not the exemplar case used to demonstrate vyapti.

Option C:
Option C, upanaya, is the application step that links the general rule shown by the drstanta to the paksha. It comes after the example is given.

Option D:
Option D, nigamana, is the concluding restatement of the thesis, not the illustrative middle step.