A and E as contraries – UGC NET Question

Contraries are propositions that cannot both be true at the same time but can both be false. On the square of opposition, the universal affirmative 'All S are P' and the universal negative 'No S are P' have this relation. There are circumstances where neither statement holds, making both false. Thus the relationship described in the stem is that of contraries.

Option A:
Option A, contradictories, are pairs of propositions that cannot both be true and cannot both be false; exactly one must be true. This relation holds between A and O or E and I, not between A and E. Therefore contradictories is not correct here.

Option B:
Option B, subcontraries, are propositions that cannot both be false but can both be true, a relation found between I and O propositions. Universal statements do not stand in this relation, so subcontraries cannot be the right answer.

Option C:
Option C, subalterns, refers to pairs where the truth of a universal implies the truth of its corresponding particular, such as A implying I. This is a different relation from the one asked about in the question.

Option D:
Option D is correct because contraries specifically describe the relation between universal affirmative and universal negative propositions on the square of opposition, matching the description in the stem.