Nigamana in five-membered form – UGC NET Question

Nigamana is the final step in the five-membered inference where the conclusion is explicitly stated. It restates the original thesis as now established by the preceding steps. This marks the completion of the inferential process. Hence the culminating step mentioned in the stem is called nigamana.

Option A:
Option A, pratijna, is the initial proposition or thesis to be proved. It begins the inferential sequence rather than concluding it. Therefore pratijna is not the culminating step.

Option B:
Option B, hetu, presents the reason or sign used to support the thesis. It appears early in the inferential chain and does not mark its completion. Thus hetu is not the correct answer.

Option C:
Option C, drstanta, offers an example that illustrates the universal relation between hetu and sadhya. It clarifies the inference but does not represent its final step. Hence drstanta is not appropriate here.

Option D:
Option D correctly names nigamana as the concluding statement of the five-membered argument. It signals that the proposition has been logically established. Therefore nigamana is the best choice.