New Delhi: Former Uttar Pradesh IAS officer Divya Mittal has announced her entry into politics after resigning from the IAS. On September 29, 2026, she announced her decision in a video posted on social media.
Mittal said she would not join any political party. Instead, she plans to work directly with people and build an independent political platform. She linked her decision to her experiences with the administrative system, unresolved public grievances and her personal priorities.
Became an IAS Officer After Studying at IIT and IIM
Divya Mittal, who hails from Rewari in Haryana, completed her engineering degree at IIT Delhi and earned an MBA from IIM Bangalore. She later worked in the financial sector in London before leaving her job and returning to India.
In 2013, she joined the IAS and received the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Began Her Administrative Career in Meerut
Mittal began her administrative career as a Joint Magistrate in Meerut. She later served as Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Gautam Buddh Nagar, Joint Managing Director of UPSIDA in Kanpur and Vice-Chairperson of the Bareilly Development Authority.
She also served as District Magistrate of Sant Kabir Nagar and Mirzapur.
Drinking Water Project in Mirzapur Brought Her Recognition
Mittal took charge as the District Magistrate of Mirzapur in September 2022. During her tenure, she faced a major drinking water challenge in Lahuriyadih village in the Halia block.
The village’s hilly terrain made it difficult to provide piped water, forcing residents to depend on water tankers. After nearly nine months of work, authorities connected the village to a pipeline.
Reports about the project’s completion emerged in August 2023, bringing wider attention to Mittal’s work in the district.
Deoria Was Her Last Posting as District Magistrate
After her tenure in Mirzapur, Mittal served as CEO of the Uttar Pradesh Rural Road Development Agency. In May 2026, the government appointed her District Magistrate of Deoria.
She later moved to the Revenue Department as Special Secretary.
Mittal announced her resignation from the IAS on August 30, 2026. Her resignation took effect on September 15. At the time, she also cited personal and family priorities.
What Led Divya Mittal to Leave the IAS?
In her September 29 video, Mittal said she encountered several problems during her administrative career that remained unresolved despite available resources and government approvals.
She cited the example of a woman from a hilly village who wanted a school beyond Class 5 instead of a pension or a house. Although authorities approved the school, construction had not started even after three years, she said.
Mittal also raised issues involving land possession, poor roads, bridges, examination paper leaks and unemployment. She argued that, in some cases, a lack of intent can create a bigger obstacle than a lack of resources.
She did not link her resignation to any single incident or government. Instead, she explained her decision through the limitations she experienced while working within the administrative system and the difficulties faced by people whose grievances often remain unresolved.
Which Political Party Will Divya Mittal Join?
Mittal said in her video that she would enter politics without joining an existing political party. She said she wanted to work directly with people and build her political initiative around their participation.
She also said her aim was not simply to replace political leaders but to change the way politics operates.
Mittal has invited teachers, doctors, farmers, workers, students and parents to join her initiative. She has shared a WhatsApp number, 9198956957, for people who want to connect with her.
She said her political initiative would focus on people’s participation rather than caste, religion, money or muscle power.
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