UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

A, B, C and E correctly describe recognised hetvābhāsas and common exam patterns. D is wrong because asādhāraṇa hetu is not “common to many instances”; it is too restricted/unique, which makes it defective rather than ideal. Thus D alone is the incorrect statement.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it identifies D as the only wrong statement while treating A, B, C and E as correct.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it wrongly includes C as a wrong statement; C correctly describes bādhita hetu.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it wrongly includes A as wrong; A accurately characterises savyabhicāra (irregular) hetu.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it wrongly includes E as wrong; E correctly states a common exam pattern.

Savyabhicara hetvabhasa arises when the supposed reason is seen both where the sadhya is present and where it is absent. This irregularity breaks the required vyapti, since the presence of the hetu no longer reliably signals the presence of the sadhya. As a result, the inference becomes defective. Thus the fallacy described in the stem is savyabhicara.

Option A:
Option A, viruddha, is a reason that proves the opposite of what is intended, not one that merely varies across cases.

Option B:
Option B, asiddha, concerns a reason that is not established in the paksha or may not exist there at all.

Option C:
Option C, badhita, is a reason whose alleged vyapti is contradicted by a stronger pramana, such as direct perception.

Option D:
Option D is correct because savyabhicara literally refers to a reason that “deviates” or “wanders” by occurring with and without the probandum, making it unfit as a trustworthy hetu.