Hetu lakṣaṇas in Indian logic – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, C, E and F correctly summarise the traditional conditions for a proper hetu, while D is false. The hetu must qualify the pakṣa, coincide with the sādhya in positive instances and be absent when the sādhya is absent, thereby supporting a reliable vyāpti. If any of these conditions fail, the middle term can become fallacious, which is what hetvābhāsa denotes. D is wrong because a sādhāraṇa hetu that spreads across vipakṣa as well is defective, not strong. UGC NET may test recognition of which condition is violated in sample inferences.

Option A:
Option A is correct since it includes the three core lakṣaṇas of a valid hetu, the connection to hetvābhāsa and the exam-oriented point about identifying violations. It excludes D, which elevates a defective sādhāraṇa hetu to a strong one, contradicting standard accounts. Thus this option accurately represents the set of correct statements.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it omits E and F, leaving out both the link to fallacious reasoning and the exam application. While A, B and C are true, they do not show what happens when the conditions fail or how they are tested. Therefore A, B and C only is not fully adequate.

Option C:
Option C is also incomplete as it leaves out F, the statement about UGC NET questions explicitly using these conditions. Without F, the answer does not reflect the way the topic appears in the syllabus. Hence A, B, C and E only cannot be the best choice.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it omits A and includes only B, C, E and F. Without A, the requirement that the hetu be present in the pakṣa itself is missing, which is fundamental. This omission means the option does not incorporate all the correct statements in the list.