UPSC Essays Simplified: ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication' — How lessons from Gandhi, Kalam, and others help crack this previous year topic

Indian Express

27-07-2025

In 2020, UPSC asked a philosophical/abstract essay centered on the theme of simplicity. A great way to approach such topics is by drawing from personalities who embody the power of simplicity in life, leadership, science, and governance. But the real challenge lies in weaving these insights into a cohesive and compelling narrative.
An aspirant, before writing the final draft, should have a blueprint with the following questions in mind:
Does the essay have thematic depth with relevance to governance and society?
Does it include real-life and historical examples across multiple domains?
Is there philosophical maturity?
The approach used in the following model essay by our expert takes all the above questions into account in its blueprint. Take a look:
— Model Essay by Pranay Aggarwal
Less is more. In today's age of extravagance, simplicity seems a rebellion. But real brilliance has always laid not in making things more fancy or overly complex, but in refining them to their purest form. Be it in art, science, administration, or daily life, simplicity indicates clarity and honesty. In all spheres of life, simplicity is a powerful force – unassuming, but transformative.
Ask any student whom he regards as good or great teachers. Is it those who use heavy jargon, complicated language and fancy teaching tools? Unlikely. It is invariably those who can present the most complex of topics in the simplest language and using everyday examples. Some of our leaders like Dr. Kalam mastered this art. Their ability to explain complex ideas to schoolchildren in easy to grasp terms made them much loved. It was only because of the depth of their knowledge that they were capable of explaining even difficult things simply. They successfully passed on distilled wisdom and shared their years of experience with children in a language they could understand.
Minimalism in art speaks less, but conveys more. Stripped to its bare essentials, a painting or a sculpture best captures the essence of the object, with little to no 'interference' from the artist. In fact, minimalism movement in art sprang partly as a reaction against the excesses of abstraction and extravagance that had come to characterize artistic works.
Science too cherishes simplicity. Occam's Razor principle suggests that the simplest explanation is often the correct one. Newton's Force = mass x acceleration is a simple equation with revolutionary implications – a shining example of how deep truths are best conveyed in simple terms.
In the marketplace of technology, simplicity clearly wins over customers; while complexity (no matter how high-tech) tends to push them away. Overengineering can kill the best of products. Simplicity of use can help even seemingly technologically-humble products outshine their peers. An app or website with a simple, user-friendly graphic user interface gains greater traction, than something which may be far more fancy, complex and high-end. Think of the intuitive design of an iPhone, or the clean functionality of Google's homepage.
One is reminded of an insightful scene from an iconic modern-day Hindi movie 3 Idiots. When 'Virus', the director of one of the best engineering colleges in India, is taking pride in the 'astronaut's pen' made after spending millions of dollars in research, 'Rancho' asks him a simple question – If the usual pens don't work in space, why not use a pencil? That scene sure made us laugh. But it also reminded us of the power of finding simple solutions for complex problems.
Some of the most profound messages in history were remarkably simple. 'I have a dream,' or 'Give me blood and I will give you freedom.' These are not verbose speeches or complex philosophies. They are elegant in their brevity and clarity.
Leaders who embody simplicity exude authenticity. Bapu wore khadi not just for the symbolism, but as conviction. Shastri Ji was also known for his modesty and integrity, and lived a life of purpose without pomp. Their simplicity was their strength, allowing them to connect deeply with the masses. It was because of their simplicity that they could inspire change that endured beyond their lifetimes.
In governance, complex policies and multiplicity of structures often end up alienating the very citizens they aim to serve. Uncomplicated, easy to understand policies with simple delivery mechanisms work remarkably well. Jan Dhan Yojana, UPI, and direct benefit transfer system stand out for their elegant simplicity – cutting red tape, reducing corruption, and delivering tangible benefits. Good governance is not about creating an intricate web of laws; it's about clarity of intent and ease of execution. Complexity confuses; simplicity empowers.
In India, we have always valued simplicity. Mundaka Upanishad's powerful message 'Satyamev Jayate' (Truth alone triumphs) was chosen as the national motto of our young republic in part because of its simplicity. Gandhi was undoubtedly one of the most sophisticated political thinkers of our times, but advocated simple living and high thinking. His life and politics proved that moral clarity can have transformative power.
In our personal life too, simplicity is liberating. Decluttering our desks, our homes, and our minds enhances the quality of life. A simple home-cooked meal and sound sleep on one's own familiar bed bring happiness that luxury never can.
Our planet groans under the weight of overconsumption. Simplicity in lifestyle – wanting less, wasting less, and worrying less – is now not just a personal choice but a planetary necessity. A return to simplicity is also, then, a return to harmony with nature.
It is quite an irony that which is simple isn't always the most obvious or even easiest choice. In an era dominated by speed, noise, and clutter; to opt for simplicity is an act of courage. It takes sophistication, deep thought, and good judgment to choose essence over excess.
One is reminded of the simple eternal truth. Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram. In Simplicity lies Truth, The Divine, and Beauty.
About our Expert: Pranay Aggarwal is an educator and mentor for aspirants preparing for UPSC Civil Services exam. With more than 10 years of experience guiding civil service aspirants, he is acknowledged as an expert on civil service exam preparation, especially on subjects like Social Issues and Sociology. He is the India representative on the Research Committee on Education, Religion and Political Sociology for UNESCO's International Sociological Association and a committee member of Indian Sociological Society and its committee on social movements. He is also the Convenor of Indian Civil Services Association, a think tank of senior bureaucrats.
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Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'LIVE with Manas'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More