Divya Mittal Announces Political Entry After Resigning from IAS: Says She Will Work with the People, Not Any Party; Journey to Begin in Uttar Pradesh

Former IAS officer Divya Mittal, a 2013-batch officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has made her next move clear after leaving the civil services. In a video message released on September 29, she said that her next path is politics and that she will begin her political journey from Uttar Pradesh.

Divya Mittal said she wants to become the voice of people whose problems either fail to reach government offices or remain unresolved even after reaching them.

• School Approved, but Construction Never Began

Sharing an experience from her administrative tenure, Mittal referred to the Lahuria Dah area of Mirzapur. According to her, a woman there asked for a school in the village for children to continue their education beyond Class 5, instead of asking for water, a pension or a permanent house.

Mittal said that despite the school being approved, construction had still not begun nearly three years later. She questioned why the work did not move forward when the rules, funds and approval were already in place. She shared this account in her public video message.

• Raised the Issue of Land Lease and Possession

Mittal also spoke about another case from her tenure in the Revenue Department, claiming that a landless man had been allotted a small piece of government land on lease but was never given possession of it.

According to her, even after irregularities were found in the report and action was taken at the relevant level, the process of handing over possession did not move forward. Through this example, Mittal raised questions about administrative accountability and timely justice for citizens.

• Questions Over Roads, Bridges and Rural Infrastructure

In her address, Mittal also raised concerns about the condition of roads, bridges and basic infrastructure in rural areas. She said that several villages lose connectivity during the rainy season, while poor roads and potholes continue to pose a risk of accidents.

She said that even when the administration is aware of the problems and the relevant files, timely action is often not taken. She identified roads and rural infrastructure as key issues in her proposed political campaign.

• Paper Leaks and the Future of Young People

The former IAS officer also raised the issue of paper leaks in competitive examinations and prolonged delays in recruitment processes. She said that candidates who prepare for years are left facing uncertainty and that serious discussion is needed about their future.

Mittal also expressed concern over the future of employment amid the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). She said that technological change could alter the nature of jobs in the coming years and that the issue needs greater discussion at the policy-making level.

• The Aim Is Not Just to Replace One Leader

Speaking about her political agenda, Mittal said that her objective is not merely to replace one leader but to change the way politics functions.

She described her vision as the politics of “intent, justice, concern and thought” and said that the problems of ordinary citizens should remain at the centre of politics.

• Will Not Join Any Political Party for Now

Divya Mittal made it clear in her address that, for the time being, she is not beginning her political journey with any existing political party.

She said that she wants to build an independent platform together with the people. She also spoke about staying away from political calculations based on caste and religion.

• Called Reports of a Political Meeting False

In her video, Mittal also alleged that a false claim had been made about her meeting a political leader after her resignation. She said that no such meeting had taken place and claimed that such reports were intended to discourage her from raising public questions.

This claim should be understood as Mittal’s allegation; public reports have also recorded it as her statement.

• Political Journey to Begin from Uttar Pradesh

Mittal described Uttar Pradesh as her “karmabhoomi” and said that her new political journey would begin from the state.

She appealed to people from different sections of society—including teachers, doctors, farmers, workers, lawyers, students and parents—to join her proposed platform.

Divya Mittal was a 2013-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. She served in various administrative positions in the Uttar Pradesh government, including as District Magistrate of Mirzapur and Sant Kabir Nagar. She resigned from the IAS at the end of August 2026, and her resignation was accepted in September.

Following her announcement, it is now clear that after leaving the civil services, she intends to work actively in politics. However, for now, she is speaking of building an independent, people-based platform rather than joining an established political party.