Upamāna (comparison) as pramāṇa – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, C, E and F are correct, while D is false. Upamāna is indeed characterised as comparison, with the gavaya example being widely cited in textbooks. Nyaya treats it as an independent pramāṇa, although some other schools attempt to reduce it to combinations of perception and verbal testimony. UGC NET questions sometimes embed such scenarios and ask which source of knowledge is being used. D is wrong because it overstates the agreement among schools and ignores Nyaya’s insistence on a distinct process.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete since it omits E and F, which acknowledge both the reductionist view of some schools and the examination pattern. While A, B and C describe Nyaya’s standpoint and example, they do not cover inter-school debate or test relevance. Hence A, B and C only is not a complete answer.

Option B:
Option B is also incomplete because it still leaves out F and includes only A, B, C and E. Without F, the answer does not mention how upamāna-based questions appear in UGC NET. Therefore A, B, C and E only cannot be regarded as fully adequate.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it collects all the true statements, presenting Nyaya’s independent-pramāṇa view, other schools’ criticisms and the exam angle, while excluding D, which falsely merges upamāna completely with inference. It thus reflects the nuanced treatment of upamāna in Indian epistemology. Consequently, A, B, C, E and F only is the right combination.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it leaves out A and includes only B, C, E and F. Without A, the general translation and role of comparison are not clearly set out, and the omission makes the description less complete. Therefore B, C, E and F only cannot be the correct choice.