Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Divya Mittal has declared her foray into politics in Uttar Pradesh, signaling a new chapter a month after she resigned from the civil services. Mittal, a 2013-batch UP-cadre officer, made her intentions clear in a video message posted on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing her commitment to working directly with the people and addressing their concerns without joining any established political party.
A New Political Journey in Uttar Pradesh
Mittal's announcement comes after her resignation from the IAS was accepted by the Uttar Pradesh government on September 15. In her video, she highlighted that Uttar Pradesh has been her "karmabhoomi" (land of work) and the natural starting point for her political journey. She pledged to "fearlessly struggle" for public issues, asserting her desire to be a voice for those whose grievances often go unheard.
“I will do politics, but not with any political party. I will do politics with people,” Mittal stated, outlining her plan to build a platform with her supporters. She believes that contemporary politics often lacks thoughtful engagement, focusing instead on power and noise. To facilitate this direct engagement, she has shared phone and WhatsApp numbers, inviting like-minded individuals to join her initiative.
Focus on Key Issues and Background
While Mittal has not yet specified whether she plans to contest an election or form a political party, her entry is strategically timed months ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. She has already identified several areas of concern, including the impact of artificial intelligence, youth employment, and the pervasive issue of examination paper leaks.
Originally from Rewari, Haryana, Divya Mittal is an alumnus of prestigious institutions like IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore. After a stint working in London, she returned to India to pursue civil services, clearing the UPSC examination in 2013. During her 13-year career as an IAS officer, she served as district magistrate in Sant Kabir Nagar, Mirzapur, and Deoria. Her tenure in Mirzapur gained particular recognition for her administration's efforts in providing piped drinking water to Lahuria Dah, a remote village.
Her husband, Gagandeep Singh Dhillon, also a former government servant, resigned from civil services in May 2022 and now works as an algorithmic trader. The couple has two daughters.