When the results of the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) State Service Exam-2022 were announced on January 18, 2025, joy erupted in a small village in Dewas district. In one particular home, success had been a long time coming. Deepika Patidar had come close to her dream four times before, but each time, she had fallen just short. However, this time, victory was not only within reach – it was hers to claim. Deepika secured the top rank in the exam, fulfilling her long-held ambition of becoming a Deputy Collector.
Her achievement was all the more significant because, despite reaching the interview stage four times in the past, Deepika had failed to clear the final hurdle. Yet, each setback only fueled her resolve. She never lost faith, nor did her confidence waver. With unwavering determination, she continued on her path, working tirelessly toward her goal.
Deepika’s journey is a powerful lesson in resilience and perseverance. Her story shows that no matter how many obstacles or disappointments lie in your path, passion, hard work, and an unshakable belief in yourself can lead you to success.
In an exclusive interview with Indian Mastermind, Deepika shared her emotional journey, detailing the struggles, setbacks, and triumphs that turned her dream into reality.
JOURNEY SO FAR
Deepika’s journey to the civil services began in 2016 when she moved to Delhi after graduation to pursue UPSC coaching. After a year, with a time limit set by her family, she returned to Indore in 2017 to continue her preparation. Over the next few years, she made six attempts in the MPPSC exam and two attempts in the UPSC exam.
In her first MPPSC attempt in 2017, she did not even clear the prelims. However, in the following four attempts – MPPSC 2019, 20, 21, and 22 – she reached the interview stage each time, only to fall short by a few marks from the final list. These years were some of the toughest times in her journey. Despite performing exceptionally well in each round, the final hurdle seemed elusive. But through all the heartbreak, Deepika never considered giving up.
In her sixth MPPSC attempt in 2022, her persistence paid off. She not only cleared the exam but also secured the coveted top rank, earning the position of Deputy Collector. Alongside her MPPSC journey, Deepika also attempted the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2018 and 2020, but unfortunately, she couldn’t clear the prelims. Eventually, she redirected her focus to state civil services, where she found success.
Reflecting on her journey, Deepika attributes her achievement to the unwavering support of her family, her constant practice, and most importantly, her self-confidence. These elements, she believes, were the keys to overcoming the many challenges along the way.
THREE FAILURS IN ONE YEAR
Recalling her biggest struggle, Deepika shared, “It’s not easy for anyone to rise after falling from such a height. It wasn’t easy for me either. I kept failing after coming so close to success, again and again.”
The breaking point came when, in a single year, she faced three consecutive setbacks, all after reaching the interview stage. Due to the irregular exam pattern of MPPSC, interviews for three MPPSC exams were conducted, and results were declared within a short span from 2023 to 2024.
Deepika appeared for the MPPSC-2019 interview on May 1, 2023, the MPPSC-2020 interview on September 11, 2023, and the MPPSC-2021 interview on April 29, 2024. She said, “To face three failures in a single year is something that rarely happens to anyone. There were moments when I felt utterly broken. But recovering from these setbacks and pushing forward to achieve success again was truly the biggest struggle of my journey.”
BACKGROUND
She hails from Garh Khajuriya village in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh. Her father serves as the Gram Panchayat secretary, while her mother is a homemaker. She has an elder brother.
Deepika completed her schooling up to the 8th grade at a government school in her village. Afterward, she moved to a boarding school, where she continued her education until the 12th grade. Following this, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Government Holkar Science College, graduating in 2015.
MPPSC PREPARATION
After facing setbacks in her UPSC attempts, Deepika shifted her focus from UPSC to MPPSC. Her strategy was simple: stick to the basics. She began by thoroughly analyzing the syllabus and then started making her own notes. For the prelims, her approach was to solve as many questions as possible while reviewing her notes.
For the mains, she focused on practicing answer writing as much as she could. She dedicated time each day to writing answers on paper, ensuring that everything she read was translated into written form. She also solved previous years’ questions (PYQs) and took numerous practice tests. Deepika set aside a specific time – one and a half hours – each day to solve the mains paper regularly.
She said, “I trust in the power of writing skills. With consistent practice, anyone can improve. The more you practice, the more your writing will become refined.”
Deepika scored a total of 902.75 marks out of 1575. She got 756.75 out of 1400 in the mains exam and 146 out of 175 in the interview. Throughout her preparation, she didn’t completely disconnect from social media; instead, she used it sparingly, mainly to aid her preparation for the written exams and interviews.
INTERVIEW
Her interview went well, though she was thoroughly grilled. The panel asked her a wide range of questions, covering everything from current affairs to her personal background.
The majority of her questions were about the U.S. presidential election, delving into every aspect of it and its potential global impact. In addition, she faced questions on topics such as India’s intelligence agencies, the national flag, and the Indian political system. Towards the end, she was asked about traditional folk dances of Madhya Pradesh and her hobbies, particularly how she spends time in nature.
According to her, it’s crucial to strengthen your knowledge on the basics, current affairs, and personal hobbies for the interview. She believes that if you have a strong command over your hobbies, your interview will undoubtedly go well.
MESSAGE
Giving a message to aspiring candidates, Deepika said, “You must keep trying and have faith in yourself. This journey may take time, but if you remain honest in your efforts and stay confident, I assure you, one day you will succeed.”
She added, “I failed five times, but each time, I was hopeful, waiting for my name to be called. I remained confident that I would become a Deputy Collector – and now, I am. So, trust in your destiny and do what is necessary to reach it.”
ABOUT THE EXAM
MPPSC announced the examination advertisement for 456 posts on December 30, 2022. The preliminary exam took place on July 12, 2023, and the main exam was from January 8-12, 2024. The results were declared on June 7, 2024, followed by interviews from November 11, 2024, to January 9, 2025. Six women were among the top ten candidates in the MPPSC State Service Examination 2022.
