Resignation and political entry of IAS officer Divya Mittal

Divya Mittal, a 2013-batch IAS officer in the Uttar Pradesh cadre, announced her resignation from the All India Service on August 30, 2026. At the time of her announcement, she was serving as Special Secretary in the Revenue Department. Mittal, an alumna of IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore, had previously worked as a derivative trader in London before entering public service.

On September 15, 2026, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) officially accepted her resignation, which became effective that day. Mittal cited personal reasons, family priorities, and new life goals for her departure. Her administrative career included notable roles such as District Magistrate in Mirzapur and Deoria.

Following her departure, Mittal announced her entry into politics via a social media video. She clarified that she does not intend to join a specific political party at this time, stating her journey will begin in Uttar Pradesh, a state she described as her ‘workplace’ where she felt a strong connection to the people. Mittal emphasized that her goal is not to attain a specific position, but to serve as a voice for citizens whose problems fail to reach the government machinery. She noted intentions to focus on issues such as rural infrastructure, youth employment, and the impact of artificial intelligence on future jobs, aiming to prioritize accountability and public issues over electoral statistics.

In her announcement, she drew on her administrative experience to highlight the need for political intent and justice, citing specific instances of bureaucratic delays in school construction and land allotment issues. She expressed a desire to change how politics functions by focusing on fundamental public problems rather than electoral statistics.