UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Pratijna is the first member of the Nyaya inference that clearly states what is to be proved. It combines the paksha and sadhya into a single assertion, guiding the listener to the intended conclusion. Subsequent steps supply reasons and examples to support this thesis. Hence the initial statement described in the stem is called pratijna.

Option A:
Option A, upanaya, is the fourth step that applies the general rule to the paksha and therefore cannot be the opening thesis.

Option B:
Option B is correct because pratijna explicitly names the declarative starting point of the argument. Without stating the pratijna, the inferential chain would lack direction and purpose.

Option C:
Option C, nigamana, is the final step where the thesis is restated as established, not the initial proposal.

Option D:
Option D, hetu, is the reason given in favour of the pratijna, usually introduced as the second member of the inference.

All five statements correctly describe the five members of the Nyaya syllogism (pratijñā, hetu, udāharaṇa, upanaya, nigamana). Therefore all are correct and the right option must include A–E.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits E (nigamana).

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it omits D (upanaya).

Option C:
Option C is incomplete because it omits C (udāharaṇa).

Option D:
Option D is correct because it includes all five true statements.

Pratijna is the opening claim or thesis in the Nyaya five-membered argument that sets out what the speaker intends to establish. It identifies both the subject (paksha) and the property to be proved (sadhya), as in “The hill is fiery.” This statement guides the subsequent presentation of reasons, examples and applications. Consequently, the initial thesis described in the stem is called pratijna.

Option A:
Option A is correct because pratijna functions as the focal point around which the rest of the inferential steps are organised. Without clearly stating the pratijna, the audience would not know what conclusion the argument aims to justify.

Option B:
Option B, hetu, is the reason offered to support the thesis, such as “because there is smoke.” It is a distinct member of the inference and cannot itself be the thesis.

Option C:
Option C, paksha, is the subject or locus in which the property is to be established, like “the hill,” and forms part of the pratijna but does not name the full thesis statement.

Option D:
Option D, vyapti, is the universal relation of concomitance between hetu and sadhya, which underpins the reliability of the inference. It is a principle appealed to by the argument, not the thesis being asserted.

Statements A, B, C, D and E correctly describe the five members of the Nyaya parārthānumāna, whereas F is false. Pratijñā presents the thesis about the pakṣa, hetu gives the reason, udāharaṇa supplies a universal example, upanaya applies that universal relation to the pakṣa and nigamana concludes the inference. The ordered presentation is meant to clarify both the general vyāpti and its specific application, so it is neither arbitrary nor insignificant. Therefore F must be rejected.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it includes the full and accurate description of each step in the five-member syllogism and excludes F, which denies the significance of their order. It aligns with standard Nyaya accounts used in UGC NET Indian logic questions. Hence A, B, C, D and E only is the right choice.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete as it omits E, thereby failing to mention nigamana, the final restatement of the conclusion. Without E, the overall structure of the syllogism is left unfinished. Therefore A, B, C and D only cannot be accepted.

Option C:
Option C is wrong since it omits A and includes only B, C, D and E. Without A, the role of pratijñā as the thesis about the pakṣa is absent, leaving the syllogism without its starting claim. This omission makes B, C, D and E only an inadequate combination.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it omits B and presents only A, C, D and E. Without B, the explicit statement of hetu as the reason is missing, which is central to the syllogistic structure. Thus A, C, D and E only cannot represent all the correct statements.