UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

A satpratipakṣa hetu is one whose force is neutralised by a rival hetu that supports the negation of the thesis with equal strength. In such a situation, both sides appear to have good reasons and vyāptis. The existence of this counter inference prevents the original hetu from being decisive. As a result, the argument fails to establish its conclusion conclusively.

Option A:
Option A would describe merely an irrelevant reason, but satpratipakṣa specifically involves an opposed but apparently symmetrical inference.

Option B:
Option B correctly notes that the defect arises when an equally strong counter hetu backs the opposite conclusion, cancelling the evidential power of the original hetu.

Option C:
Option C refers to the source of the hetu; many valid hetus are based on perception, so this alone does not create the satpratipakṣa defect.

Option D:
Option D suggests presence only in vipakṣa, which would be a different trairūpya failure, not the situation of two balanced opposing inferences.