Variation of pramana across schools – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, C, E and F are correct, whereas D is false. Nyaya recognises four main pramāṇas, and Advaita Vedānta typically extends the list to six, adding arthāpatti and anupalabdhi. Cārvāka is famous for its near-exclusive reliance on perception, and Mīmāṃsā highlights arthāpatti as a distinct means of knowledge. F is right that different schools endorse different sets of pramāṇas, but D is wrong because Buddhist schools do not simply duplicate Nyaya’s list. Therefore A, B, C, E and F only is the correct combination.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits F, failing to emphasise the cross-school variation in pramāṇa theory, which is central for comparative questions. While A, B, C and E are true, leaving out F makes the portrayal less accurate. Thus A, B, C and E only cannot be accepted.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it includes D (which is false) and omits E and F (which are true). Therefore it does not match the full set of correct statements A, B, C, E and F.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it explicitly groups A, B, C, E and F, capturing both specific school positions and the general fact of variation. It excludes D, which oversimplifies Buddhist pramāṇa theory. This reflects the nuanced picture expected in UGC NET questions on Indian epistemology.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it includes D while omitting A, thereby accepting a false uniformity of Buddhist and Nyaya pramāṇas and ignoring Nyaya’s own list. The combination therefore contradicts well-known doctrinal differences. Hence B, C, D, E and F only cannot be chosen.