There are stories that begin with confidence.
And then there are stories that begin with sincerity.
Spandana’s journey belongs to the second kind.
Today, Spandana stands selected as a Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) through APPSC Group-1. But the road that brought her here was long, uneven, and deeply personal—marked by learning, loss, and quiet resilience.
A Childhood Shaped by Classrooms, Not Shortcuts
Spandana grew up in a household where education was not just encouraged—it was lived.
Her father, Rambabu, and her mother, Rama Subbamma, both serve as teachers in government schools. Their lives revolved around classrooms, government students, and the everyday discipline that teaching demands. There was dignity in routine, honesty in effort, and pride in doing one’s duty sincerely.
From them, Spandana learned something crucial very early in life:
progress may be slow, but it must be steady.
Foundations That Built Discipline
She studied at St. John’s English Medium School, Tenali, where she was known as a quiet, focused student. She wasn’t someone who chased attention or applause. She was consistent—showing up every day, listening carefully, and doing the work.
That habit of consistency would later become her anchor during competitive exam preparation.
She later pursued B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) from Bapatla Engineering College, Bapatla. Engineering trained her mind to think structurally and logically. But somewhere during those years, a deeper question began to surface—what kind of work gives meaning beyond a paycheck?
The answer gradually pointed her towards public service.
Beyond Exams: Achievements That Shaped Her
Spandana’s journey was not built on preparation alone—it was strengthened by early achievements that quietly shaped her character.
Academic & Literary Excellence
- 2nd Prize in Inter-School Elocution Competition during Tenali Municipality 100 Years Celebrations.
- Received books and cash awards in debate competitions at school and college.
These experiences sharpened her articulation, reasoning, and confidence.
Sports Participation:
- Played Kho-Kho in school and college.
- Participated in Tennikoit during school.
Sports taught her resilience, teamwork, and emotional balance.
Leadership Roles:
- House Leader in school; led team to championship.
- Student Coordinator of college literary club “AWAAZ.”
These roles nurtured coordination and administrative skills early on.
Service Initiative:
As hostel sanitation in-charge, she worked with sanitation staff and promoted hygiene awareness, including safe disposal of sanitary napkins among students—reflecting responsibility and empathy.
Individually small. Collectively powerful.
These foundations quietly prepared her for public service long before the designation arrived.
Entering Competitive Exams—Without Illusions
Spandana’s preparation phase was not dramatic. It was honest.
She explored UPSC Civil Services, appeared for prelims, and learned the fundamentals of competitive preparation—standard books, revision, answer writing, and the emotional highs and lows that every serious aspirant knows.
Over time, she felt drawn towards state services, where governance felt closer to people’s everyday lives. That clarity led her to APPSC Group-1.
#Spandana APPSC Group-1 #Spandana APPSC Group-1 #Spandana APPSC Group-1
First Attempt: 2022 Notification — A Necessary Fall
Her first APPSC Group-1 attempt came with the 2022 notification.
She cleared the stages and wrote Group-1 Mains—a major milestone, especially for a first-time mains candidate. But the result did not go in her favour.
She couldn’t clear the mains.
This failure hurt—not because she lacked effort, but because she realised something important only after writing that exam:
writing mains once does not make you mains-ready.
Instead of quitting or rushing, she chose to learn. She analysed her answers, understood where depth was missing, and accepted that growth would take time.
When Life Took More Than an Exam Could
Around this phase, Covid-19 struck—and with it came a loss far deeper than any exam setback.
Spandana lost both her grandparents during the pandemic. They were emotional pillars in her life, and their absence left her shaken. This period marked her weakest emotional phase.
There were days when preparation slowed down.
Days when sitting with books felt overwhelming.
Days when grief quietly drained motivation.
She was emotionally fragile during this time—and she does not hide that truth.
But she also did something incredibly important:
she didn’t disconnect completely from her dream.
Finding Structure Again: La Excellence IGP
As she gradually returned to preparation, La Excellence Interview Guidance Programme (IGP) became a turning point in her journey.
The programme gave her something she deeply needed at that stage—structure, clarity, and perspective.
The DAF sessions conducted by Dr. Rambabu sir were especially transformative. His way of breaking down the Detailed Application Form was not mechanical—it was introspective. He helped her understand why her background mattered, how her experiences could be articulated, and what the board might actually be looking for.
His discussions on the Andhra Pradesh Economic Survey gave her a grounded understanding of the state’s realities—not as data points, but as policy narratives. The hackathon-based discussions helped her think administratively, training her mind to approach problems like an officer rather than an examinee.
Slowly, her answers became sharper.
Her thinking became more mature.
Her confidence became quieter—but stronger.
#Spandana APPSC Group-1 #Spandana APPSC Group-1 #Spandana APPSC Group-1
Mock Interviews: Learning to Sit with Questions
The mock interviews at IGP played a crucial role in shaping her final performance.
They were not about rehearsed answers. They were about composure, clarity, and honesty. Each mock helped her understand her blind spots, refine her articulation, and learn how to remain calm under pressure.
More importantly, they taught her how to trust her preparation.
Spandana’s Second Attempt: 2023 Notification — With Maturity
Her second attempt under the 2023 APPSC Group-1 notification was different in every sense.
There was no panic.
No desperation.
No hurry.
She wrote with maturity shaped by failure, grief, and reflection. This time, she wasn’t trying to impress—she was simply being accurate, balanced, and sincere.
And this time, she cleared.
Spandana was selected as a Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO).
What This Journey Really Represents
The MPDO role is about grassroots governance—development schemes, rural administration, and public welfare at the mandal level. It demands patience, empathy, and realism.
Spandana’s journey has quietly prepared her for exactly that.
She understands delay.
She understands struggle.
She understands people—not theoretically, but personally.
A Note for Aspirants by Spandana
If your first mains didn’t work out—remember this story.
If grief slowed your preparation—remember this story.
If your journey feels longer than others—remember this story.
Some people don’t reach early because life is shaping them more deeply.
And when they finally arrive, they don’t just clear an exam—
they become officers who understand life before authority.
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