UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Hetu is the middle term or reason whose presence in the paksha, together with known vyapti, justifies the conclusion that the sadhya is also present there. In the classic example, smoke functions as hetu for fire on the hill. A proper hetu must satisfy specific conditions to avoid fallacies. Therefore the inferential sign referred to in the stem is called hetu.

Option A:
Option A, paksha, is the subject in which the hetu and sadhya are discussed and does not itself function as the reason for the conclusion. Confusing the subject with the middle term would obscure the structure of inference.

Option B:
Option B is correct because hetu explicitly names the factor that serves as logical ground for the sadhya. Nyaya analysis of inference revolves around whether a proposed hetu genuinely exhibits vyapti with the probandum.

Option C:
Option C, sadhya, is the goal or probandum to be established and stands as the consequent of the argument, not the evidential basis.

Option D:
Option D, drstanta, is the illustrative example used to clarify the relation between hetu and sadhya and is distinct from the actual reason located in the paksha.

Hetu is the middle term or reason whose presence in the paksha, together with an established vyapti, justifies the conclusion that the sadhya also occurs there. Smoke functions as such a reason in the famous Nyaya example. Its role is to connect the observed fact on the hill with the unobserved presence of fire. Thus "smoke" in the sentence given is the hetu.

Option A:
Option A, paksha, refers to the subject "hill" and not to the property used as evidence. The hill is where the reasoning is applied, not the reason itself.

Option B:
Option B, sadhya, is the probandum "fiery" which the argument aims to prove; it stands as the conclusion rather than the ground.

Option C:
Option C, vyapti, names the universal connection between smoke and fire but is not identical with the particular instance of smoke on the hill that acts as the hetu.

Option D:
Option D is correct because hetu is precisely characterised as the inferential sign that, when present in the paksha, indicates the presence of the sadhya.