Latest news with #PranayAggarwal
Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
UPSC Essays Simplified: ‘Your perception of me is a reflection of you…' — a previous year question that is both psychologically and philosophically unique
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. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. For your queries and suggestions write at 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
Business Standard
25-04-2025
- General
- Business Standard
IAS Gurukul Sociology Optional by Pranay Aggarwal Programme Delivers Outstanding Results in UPSC CSE 2024
India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], April 25: IAS Gurukul, a leading institute for UPSC Sociology Optional preparation, has once again demonstrated its academic excellence with remarkable results in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024. Under the expert mentorship of renowned faculty member Pranay Aggarwal, the institute's students have secured top ranks in the latest exam cycle. Among the successful candidates trained at IAS Gurukul, several have made it to the top ranks, including: * Lavanya Gaur (AIR 57) * Neelesh Goyal (AIR 77) * Reenu Anna Mathew (AIR 81) * Prastuti Upadhaya (AIR 84) * Abhinav Sharma (AIR 130) * Divyanshi Agrawal (AIR 249) * Parul Chauhan (AIR 434) * Indu Bala (AIR 541) * Srishti Gupta (AIR 728) * Ashwini Dubey (AIR 760) * Mayank Bhushan Singh (AIR 804) * Seema Kumari (AIR 823) * Siddharth Rao Gautam (AIR 898) * Gaurav Sabharwal (AIR 914) * Gopinath Sahoo (AIR 971) A spokesperson for the institute shared that the consistent results reflect the institute's commitment to quality education, individual mentorship, and exam-specific strategy. Pranay Aggarwal's Role in Academic Success Pranay Aggarwal, the academic head and lead Sociology faculty at IAS Gurukul, has played a pivotal role in designing the curriculum, guiding classroom instruction, and personally mentoring aspirants. With his sociological insights and exam-oriented teaching style, he has helped hundreds of candidates not only understand the subject but also develop answer writing techniques tailored for the UPSC Mains. "The key to success in Sociology Optional lies in conceptual clarity, current relevance, and writing answers that reflect sociological thinking. At IAS Gurukul, we train students to do exactly that," said Aggarwal. Features of the Sociology Programme at IAS Gurukul * Expert-led classes with a focus on Paper I and Paper II integration * Conceptual clarity and emphasis of key thinkers and concepts * Regular answer writing and a rigorous test series with personalized feedback * Current affairs linkage * Online and offline classes for flexibility and access * Personal Mentorship based on strengths and weaknesses of each student The institute also provides access to free resources like high-quality mock interviews, UPSC toppers' strategies and interesting sociology lectures. These are available on the institute's official YouTube channel: Subscribe - IAS GURUKUL YouTube Channel Student Testimonials and Reviews Many of the successful candidates have spoken positively about their experience at IAS Gurukul. From first-time aspirants to repeaters, the feedback highlights the personalized attention, high-quality study material, and actionable feedback on test performance. "IAS Gurukul helped me find direction in a subject that initially felt vast. The classes were focused and interactive, and the feedback helped me improve after every test," shared one of the selected candidates. Admissions Open for 2025-26 Batch IAS Gurukul has announced that admissions are open for Sociology Optional batches targeting UPSC 2025 and 2026. New offline and online batches are starting from 2 June 2025. With a hybrid model offering both in-person and online learning, the institute continues to attract aspirants from across India. Candidates interested in learning more about the Sociology programme can visit the official website of IAS Gurukul i.e. About IAS Gurukul IAS Gurukul is one of India's premier coaching institutes for Sociology Optional in UPSC CSE, founded with the vision to combine academic rigor with practical exam strategy. Over the years, the institute has built a reputation for producing consistently high results, particularly in the Sociology optional subject. Led by Pranay Aggarwal, the institute's student-first approach, high-quality pedagogy, and emphasis on answer writing have helped aspirants from all backgrounds secure ranks in the UPSC Civil Services Examination with Sociology as their optional. IAS Gurukul Sociology Optional by Pranay Aggarwal New Delhi, India WhatsApp: +91-9999693744 Website: (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
India Today
25-04-2025
- Business
- India Today
Sensex, Nifty close lower as rising India-Pakistan tension spooks investors
Benchmark stock market indices closed lower for the second consecutive day as geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan dampened investor markets opened higher but fell over 1% a few minutes into the day, but heavyweight stocks recovered, paring some losses later in the S&P BSE Sensex lost 588.80 points to end at 79,212.53, while the NSE Nifty50 was down 207.35 points to end at 24, Pranay Aggarwal, Director & CEO of Stoxkart, said that the downturn can be largely attributed to the ongoing geopolitical tensions between India and emerged as the top gainer on Sensex, surging 1.36%, followed by Infosys which added 0.60%. Tech Mahindra rose by 0.50%, while UltraTech Cement gained 0.46%, and IndusInd Bank rounded out the top five gainers with a 0.32% the losing front, Adani Ports suffered the steepest decline, tumbling 3.61%. Axis Bank wasn't far behind with a sharp drop of 3.48%, while Eternal plunged 3.41%. Bajaj Finserv fell 2.85%, and Power Grid slipped 2.56%."Investors should keep a close watch on the upcoming earnings results and management commentary for demand trends, capex plans, and overall business outlook which will eventually shape the market's trajectory going forward," said Palka Arora Chopra, Director, Master Capital Services market indices saw selling pressure with the Nifty Midcap100 dropping 2.55% and the Nifty Smallcap100 declining 2.45%, while market volatility spiked as the India VIX jumped 5.58%.Among sectoral indices, only Nifty IT managed to stay afloat with a gain of 0.72%, swimming against the tide of the broad market other sectors ended in the red, with Nifty Media taking the worst hit, plunging 3.24%.Nifty Realty tumbled 2.80%, followed by Nifty Pharma falling 2.24%, Nifty PSU Bank declining 2.24%, and Nifty Metal shedding 2.10%. Nifty Healthcare dropped 2.42%, while Nifty Consumer Durables fell 1.85%.Other significant losers included Nifty Auto down 1.67%, Nifty Oil & Gas slipping 1.43%, Nifty Financial Services retreating 1.39%, Nifty Private Bank decreasing 1.28%, and Nifty FMCG declining 0.62%."Although the present situation has caused temporary distress, particularly in the general market, it seems to be sentiment-based and tied to short-term geopolitical risks. A bounce back can be anticipated early next week, subject to how events shape up during the weekend," said Swapnil Aggarwal, Director, VSRK Capital.(Disclaimer: The views, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions expressed by experts/brokerages in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of the India Today Group. It is advisable to consult a qualified broker or financial advisor before making any actual investment or trading choices.)Must Watch
