“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
In a world where fierce competition, urban privilege, and coaching institutions often seem like the only gateways to success in civil services, one young woman from a quiet village in Madhya Pradesh has rewritten the narrative. Shivani Sirmache, hailing from Sirali Tehsil in Harda District, defied the odds to secure Rank 11 in MPPSC 2024, earning the coveted post of Deputy Collector – a dream that thousands chase, but only a few realize.
Her story isn’t just about success. It is about grit, perseverance, self-belief, and proving that “where there is will, there is always a way.”
Indian Masterminds interact with Ms Shivani to learn more about her journey, preparation, and how she achieved such success through self-study from home.
The Journey So Far: From Home Study to Deputy Collector
Shivani’s MPPSC journey officially began in 2022, shortly after completing her graduation. But it was no cakewalk.
Due to financial constraints and the high cost of living in cities like Indore, her family gave her a condition – “Crack the prelims from home first. Only then we will send you outside for further preparation.”
And she did just that.
With no fancy coaching, no institutional backing, and limited resources, she cleared the Prelims with sheer dedication. After proving herself, she moved to Indore, where she prepared for the Mains and Interview, balancing self-study with mentorship support.
In 2023, her first MPPSC attempt didn’t lead to selection. But undeterred, she refined her approach and went all in for MPPSC 2024. This time, not only did she clear Prelims, Mains, and Interview in her very first complete cycle, but she also secured a top rank: Rank 11, earning the position of Deputy Collector.
Background: A Village Girl with Big Dreams
Shivani Sirmache was born and brought up in Sirali, a small village in Harda district of Madhya Pradesh. Her father serves as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in the MP Police, while her mother is a homemaker. A modest, humble background, yet rich in values, dreams, and determination.
She completed her schooling in her village itself and then pursued her B.Sc. in Computer Science from Sarojini Naidu Government Girls’ College (Nutan College), Bhopal, graduating in 2021.
While many of her peers sought coaching in big cities post-graduation, Shivani had a different journey. She started from the ground up – at home, with nothing but books, internet, and an unshakable will.
Preparation Strategy: Self-Study, Sincerity, and Smart Work
Shivani’s preparation journey is a model for self-learners –
Inspired by Topper Videos: She carefully watched interviews of previous toppers, identifying common strategies, study techniques, and mistakes to avoid.
Mastered the Syllabus: She thoroughly covered the MPPSC syllabus, solved past year papers, and focused heavily on note-making, revision, and practice.
Structured Study Plan: Every evening, she would create a plan for the next day. This daily planning helped her maintain consistent momentum.
8–9 Hours of Daily Study: Shivani committed herself to qualitative study hours, maintaining a disciplined routine.
Mentorship Support: She later joined the Mentorship Program, which helped her sharpen her Mains answers and interview readiness.
Online Resources: She purchased necessary materials online and made the best use of digital platforms for self-learning.
Her preparation medium was English, and she displayed remarkable maturity in handling the technical, analytical, and ethical questions posed during the interview.
Turning Points: From Confusion to Clarity
One of the most significant turning points in Shivani’s journey was her initial struggle for guidance. At first, she found herself preparing for banking and other one-day exams – not out of passion, but due to a lack of direction.
“I realized later that I wasn’t made for banking. My real calling was civil services.”
Once that clarity hit, her focus shifted entirely to MPPSC. She slowly reached out to previous aspirants, found mentors, and took guidance. From that point onward, there was no looking back.
The Interview Experience: Grace Under Pressure
Shivani’s MPPSC interview tested her on multiple fronts – factual knowledge, analytical thinking, and decision-making. Some highlights:
Current Affairs Questions: On India becoming a developed nation, challenges ahead, and global perceptions.
Spiritual Angle: Questions related to her name ‘Shivani’, referencing BK Shivani Verma, and asking about spirituality and its role in India’s progress.
Curveball Questions: One panelist asked her to name something symbolizing “half man, half woman”-excluding ‘Ardhanarishwar’. Shivani candidly admitted she couldn’t answer, showing honesty and composure.
Her grace under pressure and authenticity made a lasting impression on the panel.
Biggest Challenges: Lack of Guidance and Mental Hurdles
The lack of early mentorship was one of her biggest hurdles. In smaller towns and rural areas, civil services preparation often seems like an unreachable goal due to unavailability of proper resources.
“I didn’t have proper guidance initially. That’s why I strayed toward other exams. But once I realized my goal, I aligned myself accordingly.”
Another internal challenge was overcoming the myth that success in civil services requires city-based coaching. She broke that illusion – once and for all.
Message to Aspirants: Believe in Yourself and the Process
Shivani’s message to current and future aspirants is deeply inspiring – “People often say that success in civil services is only possible through coaching or by living in cities. I’ve proven that with the right mindset, even self-study at home can take you to your goal.”
She emphasizes –
- Have a clear reason for choosing civil services.
- Understand the syllabus, pattern, and expectations of the exam.
- Stay consistent, revise often, and practice thoroughly.
- Seek guidance, even if informally, and keep refining your approach.
Final Selection: From Sirali to the Secretariat
Today, Shivani Sirmache stands tall – not just as MPPSC 2024 Rank 11 holder, but as an icon of hope for thousands of rural aspirants across India.
She will soon undergo training as a Deputy Collector, stepping into a role that holds immense power, responsibility, and opportunity to serve the people – especially those from areas like where she comes from.
Her journey is a shining testament to the fact that dreams don’t require big cities, expensive coaching, or privileged backgrounds. They only require clarity, courage, and relentless consistency.
In Her Own Words: Two Keys to Cracking the MPPSC
“First, be clear about why you’re doing it. Second, understand the exam deeply – its syllabus, its questions, and its expectations. And then revise and practice like your life depends on it.”
The Legacy Begins
Shivani Sirmache’s success will be remembered not just for her rank but for the story she carries with her – of a village girl who dared to dream, prepared in silence, and emerged victorious against all odds.
Her journey is not just a success story – it is a beacon of hope for every single aspirant fighting silently in the corners of this country, telling them:
“You don’t need to be in the spotlight to shine. Just keep going – your time will come.”
