Former IAS Divya Mittal Enters UP Politics: Is She Joining Any Party? All About IIT, IIM Graduate Who Left London Job to Crack UPSC

Former Uttar Pradesh-cadre IAS officer Divya Mittal has announced her entry into politics, weeks after resigning from the civil services following a 13-year career. The 2013-batch officer said on September 29 that she would begin her political journey in Uttar Pradesh but would not join any existing political party.

Divya Mittal’s Political Entry

In a video message posted on social media, Mittal said the answer to questions about her next step was “politics”. She said she wanted to work directly with citizens and become a voice for people whose grievances, according to her, often fail to receive adequate attention from government offices.

Mittal described Uttar Pradesh as her “karmabhoomi” and said the state would be the starting point of her political journey. She has appealed to people who identify with her stated objectives to connect with her and participate in the initiative.

Why Did Divya Mittal Leave the IAS?

Mittal resigned from the IAS on August 30 after around 13 years in government service. Her resignation was accepted in September, ending her tenure in the Uttar Pradesh administration. At the time, she did not immediately disclose what she planned to do next.

During her career, she served as District Magistrate in Mirzapur, Deoria and Sant Kabir Nagar and later held senior responsibilities in the Uttar Pradesh government, including in the Revenue Department. Her work in Mirzapur attracted attention after her administration helped extend piped drinking water to Lahuria Dah, a remote village that had depended on tankers.

Issues She Plans to Raise

Mittal has said her political initiative will focus on accountability and public grievances. In her announcement, she referred to issues including inadequate rural roads and bridges, delays in government projects, examination paper leaks and employment concerns.

She also recalled an instance from her administrative career involving a request for a school offering education beyond Class 5 in a remote village. Mittal said she approved the proposal but found years later that construction had not begun. These accounts are based on her own statements and have not independently established the broader claims she made about administrative functioning.

Divya Mittal’s Education Qualifications and Career

Divya Mittal completed her B.Tech in Engineering Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where she studied from 2001 to 2005.

According to the education details listed on her LinkedIn profile, she graduated with a CGPA of 9.07 out of 10 and ranked second in her department.

She subsequently pursued an MBA at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore, completing the programme between 2005 and 2007. She graduated among the top 5 per cent of her batch.

Mittal later expanded her academic background by completing a MicroMasters in Data, Economics and Development Policy from MITx between 2019 and 2020.

After completing her MBA, Mittal began her professional career in London. According to her LinkedIn profile, she joined JP Morgan as an Associate in April 2007 and worked there until July 2008.

She subsequently returned to India and began preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination.

According to available reports, Mittal cleared the UPSC examination on her first attempt and was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS). She appeared for the examination again and secured All India Rank 68, after which she was selected for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

2027 UP Election Plans Yet to Be Announced

Mittal’s entry comes ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. However, she has not announced a constituency, confirmed that she will contest an election, or detailed the formal structure of the citizen-led platform she intends to build.

For now, her stated position is to remain outside established political parties and build her political initiative through direct engagement with citizens.