UPSC Essays Simplified: ‘Your perception of me is a reflection of you…' — a previous year question that is both psychologically and philosophically unique

Indian Express

2 days ago

Dear UPSC Aspirants,
In the UPSC CSE Essay Paper 2021, Commission asked a quote: 'Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.'
This quote is not just poetic—it is psychologically and philosophically rich. As part of your daily routine, even when you're not studying, take a moment to reflect on it. It might quietly reveal something true about you. You may also find yourself looking inward and noticing what is really happening in your inner world. Try connecting it to your own life, or to someone you have closely observed. You'll find that insights begin to surface—starting from the basics and gradually evolving into deeper realizations, examples, and anecdotes you may have heard, read, or witnessed in the distant or recent past. This is an opportunity to connect the examiner to your side of the story.
The keywords here—perception (or self-perception), reflection, reaction, and awareness—are not throwaway terms. They require genuine thought and a personal touch to shine. That's what brings in the wow factor. But that is not all. Your solid reading base and general awareness will act as a reservoir of real-world examples to support your reflections.
This is also a great chance to show your real self to the examiner—your thinking process, emotional intelligence, and ability to connect abstract ideas with lived reality. So, don't shy away from exploring your thoughts and feelings.
However, a word of caution. Don't explore blindly. Quotes like this require atleast two-stage approach:
First, deeply understand and interpret the quote. What is it really trying to say?
Second, elaborate on it with the right examples — personal, historical, philosophical, or current.
Only if you succeed in the first stage is the second worth attempting. But the good news is, preparing for such topics will strengthen your ability to tackle a wide range of essays. It's not just about this one quote—it's about developing a reflective, structured, and authentic approach to any complex idea. Here is a sample essay from our expert on the above mentioned quote.
Pranay Aggarwal
All of us live our lives as if holding up two mirrors, one facing outward and the other inward. One shows how the world sees us; the other, how we see ourselves. In the theatre of life, we play the dual roles of actor and audience. How others perceive us reveals their internal script. Our reaction, in turn, reveals whether we are playing our part with awareness or ego.
We don't see things as they are; we see them as we are. Human perception is rarely objective. For instance, a person prone to suspicion may interpret kindness as manipulation. On the other hand, a generous soul may see goodness in everyone else. One is reminded of the parable of the dog in a house of mirrors. When the lone dog would bark angrily, he would see all other dogs (his own reflection in the mirrors) do the same. When he wagged his tail, other dogs wagged theirs too. Psychologist Carl Jung called this the 'shadow' – the unconscious part of ourselves we project onto others.
Many friendships falter, relationships break, and teams fail – not because of actions, but because of perceptions. When someone sees arrogance in another, they are likely projecting their own insecurities or unacknowledged pride. We need to pause, and ask ourselves, 'Is this about me? Or is it about them?' In the prevailing culture of instant gratification and instant reaction, there is a pressing need for introspection and humility.
Social media thrives on perception. The curated selves, the selective stories – we are often projecting who we want others to think we are. And we judge others based on equally curated glimpses. It's a dangerous cycle. In today's hyperconnected world of instantaneous communication and reduced attention spans, we are too quick to judge. The antidote? Awareness. The courage to ask: am I being my real self? Or am I responding to an illusion?
How we respond to others reveals the depth of our self-awareness. Reacting with anger, jealousy, or judgment often stems from unresolved emotions. But pausing, reflecting, and responding with grace shows emotional maturity. Emotional Intelligence involves knowing one's emotions and regulating them, leading to better relationships and decisions. I recall once receiving unwarranted criticism during a group project in college. My initial instinct was defensiveness, but I took a breath, asked clarifying questions, and responded calmly. That moment taught me the power of restraint over reaction.
Our ego loves applause and hates criticism. Consequently, we tend to become puppets – dancing to the strings of external validation. But we need to cut those strings. Spiritual traditions from Vedanta to Buddhism have always warned against being enslaved to ego. To know oneself is to transcend the desire to control how others perceive us.
Bhagavad Gita repeatedly exhorts the importance of acting with Samabhava (equanimity) regardless of praise or blame. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna not to be swayed by others' opinions or actions, but to act according to his Swadharma (own duty) and Vivek (discrimination). Perception belongs to others. But action – wise and mindful – belongs to the self.
History, too, remembers those who respond with dignity, not reaction. Mahatma Gandhi remained calm in the face of brutal colonial oppression; not because he was weak or indifferent to the plight of his countrymen, but because he chose awareness over quick reaction. His self-awareness made Satyagraha not just a political tool but a moral force to reckon with.
In public life, especially in politics, leaders are often judged harshly; praised profusely by admirers and vilified unendingly by their detractors. But these responses say more about the hopes, fears, and ideologies of the people than the leaders themselves. A wise public servant does not react impulsively to criticism or adulation. Rather, he responds with awareness – measured, thoughtful, and anchored in his own set of abiding principles. This self-awareness is what becomes the bedrock of authentic, resilient leadership in a democracy. In contemporary politics and governance, imagine the strength of a leader who listens, reflects, and then acts – not impulsively, but with inner clarity.
In a pluralistic society like ours, divergent perceptions are inevitable. All the more reason why, at a societal level, we need to develop tolerance. The ability to respond with awareness (at the level of individuals as well as communities), grounded in Constitutional values of fraternity and secularism, is what can sustain our unity in diversity.
At closing, here is a quiet invitation: let us not attempt to control how others see us, but instead strive to better understand how we see ourselves. Let us move from projection to reflection, and from reaction to awareness. After all, we cannot shape every perception others hold of us, but we do hold full authorship over our responses. And in that space between stimulus and response lies our growth, our freedom, and perhaps, our inner peace.
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 four 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 'You Ask We Answer'.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