On Nov 8th, 2025, when the MPPSC-2023 results were declared, a wave of joy swept through a small home in Ashoknagar district, Madhya Pradesh. A young girl picked up the phone and, with a voice brimming with pride and excitement, said to her mother,
“Hello… Yes, Mother. Yes, now you are the mother of the Deputy Collector.”
That young girl was Mona Dangi, who had achieved an extraordinary 12th rank in her third attempt at MPPSC and was on her way to becoming a Deputy Collector. The moment was so raw, so real, that her sister instinctively recorded it – and the video immediately went viral, touching millions across the country. People smiled, cheered, and shared in the pure joy of success, a celebration of grit, determination, and dreams fulfilled.
This is the story of a girl from a small town with big dreams, telling her mother about a triumph that transcended words – a mother who might not fully grasp the intricacies of the exam but instinctively understood the magnitude of her daughter’s achievement.
Speaking to Indian Masterminds, Mona recalled, “The results came out in the evening. I called home, my sister was with me, and while I was talking to my mother, she started recording… it was completely unintentional. Normally, I speak in Hindi with friends and colleagues, but that day, I spoke to my mother in Bundelkhandi only. After saying ‘Hello, Mother,’ I told her, ‘Now you are the mother of the Deputy Collector.’ Tears were in my eyes.”
In that moment, every hardship, every early morning, every mile traveled to libraries, and every ounce of effort culminated into a single, unforgettable instant of triumph. Everyone watching could feel what it meant – not just for Mona, but for her family, for her village, and for the countless hearts inspired by her journey.
Her Background: Dreams Born in Ashoknagar
Mona hails from a small farming family in Ashoknagar district, Madhya Pradesh. Growing up in a region where opportunities beyond school were limited, she attended a government school and completed grades 9 to 12 at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School.
“After 12th, there aren’t as many chances… If you want to get a job or prepare for something, there aren’t many opportunities for a better future,” Mona recalls. Recognizing this, she moved to Indore with her family to access better opportunities for competitive exam preparation.
Her story is not just about academic success – it’s about breaking barriers. In her village, no girl had ever studied so much or attempted such prestigious exams. Her determination was fueled not only by ambition but also by a desire to create a better life for her family.
Journey So Far: From First Attempt to Triumph
Mona’s journey with MPPSC began in 2022. She first attempted the MPPSC exam and was selected as a Commercial Tax Inspector. However, her ultimate goal was the post of Deputy Collector, and she was determined to achieve it within two attempts due to her family’s financial situation and her desire to secure her future early.
“All’s well that ends well,” she reflects, summarizing her journey filled with ups and downs, hope, and relentless hard work.
In her second attempt, Mona secured an impressive 12th rank in MPPSC 2023, qualifying for her dream post of Deputy Collector – a remarkable achievement given the general perception that PSC exams often take 4-5 years to crack.
Her Preparation and Strategy
Mona’s preparation strategy was a mix of self-discipline, resourcefulness, and innovative use of available resources:
Starting Point: She initially tried coaching in Indore but found it unaffordable. Through guidance from seniors, she discovered NGOs like the A-Disha Project that provided free preparation, which helped her start her journey.
During Lockdown: She leveraged online resources like YouTube and Google for self-study.
Library Routine: She utilized the Sujalam Sufalam Trust library, commuting 10-15 km daily to study for one and a half years. Her study schedule involved waking up early, attending the library, and dedicating 9 AM to 12 PM for focused study sessions.
Prelims Strategy: Mona studied content-wise, revised through MCQ videos, and regularly solved previous years’ questions (PYQs) to gauge weightage.
Mains Strategy: She took weekly test series at a coaching institute, completing one unit per week and revising via paper-wise tests on Sundays.
“When someone makes up their mind that they want to do it in two years, their hard work is reflected accordingly,” Mona explains. Her meticulous planning, time management, and disciplined routine allowed her to maximize productivity and remain focused.
Interview Experience
She describes her interview as basic but thorough, focusing on her personal background, hobbies, and Political Science knowledge (her subject of MA). She prepared by thoroughly revising what she had studied for the prelims and mains, and focused on understanding practical scenarios rather than memorizing answers.
She said, “The questions were basic, very basic… I focused on revising my mains topics and thinking practically about real-life scenarios, which helped me respond calmly.” Although the interview did not involve any unexpected or tricky questions, Mona’s preparation, composure, and confidence made a strong impression on the panel and played an important role in her success.
“The interview wasn’t anything special… very basic questions,” she says.
Biggest Struggle: Overcoming Mindset
For Mona, the hardest challenge was psychological. Coming from a modest background, she initially struggled with self-belief.
“Where we kids come from, having the confidence that it will happen is a big thing. Many times, I felt that I don’t know whether it will happen or not… To be able to convince myself that it will happen, that was the big thing,” she reflects.
Her story emphasizes that success is as much about mindset as it is about knowledge and strategy.
Achievements Along the Way
Beyond MPPSC, she also cleared the MPSET and UGC NET exams in Political Science while pursuing her MA. She balanced multiple goals simultaneously, showcasing her academic versatility and resilience.
“The only goal, that goal was only… to pass this exam,” she says, underlining her singular focus during her preparation years.
Message to Aspiring Students
Mona’s advice to aspirants is simple yet profound – “Believe in yourself, and the syllabus is already given; you just have to study by looking at it. If you have a fixed reason for why you want to get selected, that will be motivating for you and will always be with you on your journey. Everyone gets selected.”
Her story is a beacon for students from small towns with limited resources, proving that perseverance, focus, and smart strategy can break even the toughest barriers.
From Ashoknagar to Deputy Collector
Mona Dangi’s journey is more than just the story of cracking MPPSC. It’s a testament to determination, family support, resourcefulness, and unshakable belief in oneself. From a small farming village in Ashoknagar, she rose to become the Deputy Collector, inspiring countless young aspirants who dream big, even in the face of adversity.
“Yes, Mother… I’m the Deputy Collector now,” she told her mother – a simple sentence carrying the weight of dreams, struggle, and ultimate triumph.
