Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has ended the suspense over her next move. In a video released on September 29, she announced that she would enter politics, but would not join any political party.
For Mittal, who resigned from the Uttar Pradesh cadre after 13 years of administrative service, the decision is closely linked to issues she encountered while in government. Among her priorities are education, examination irregularities and the uncertain employment future facing young people.
“I want to be the voice of those whose voices are unable to reach government offices, and even when they do, are often not heard,” she said.
A VILLAGE SCHOOL THAT MADE HER QUESTION THE SYSTEM
Recalling her time as an IAS officer, Mittal spoke about meeting a woman in the Lahuriyadah area of Mirzapur while inspecting water supply work.
She expected the woman to ask for a pension, housing or water. Instead, the woman requested that the next grade be introduced at the village school.
The school offered education only up to Class 5, making it difficult for children to continue their studies. Mittal said she checked the necessary rules and approvals and found that the school had been approved. However, even after three years, construction had not begun.
“Why had the work not been completed when the rules and approvals were in place?” she asked, pointing to what she described as a problem of intent rather than resources.
The incident, she said, reflected how administrative delays can affect access to education, particularly for children in rural areas.
PAPER LEAKS, AI AND THE FUTURE OF YOUNG PEOPLE
Mittal also raised concerns about the challenges facing students preparing for competitive examinations.
Referring to paper leaks and examination irregularities, she said young people spend years preparing for these tests, only to see their efforts affected by problems in the system.
“As a girl from an ordinary family, I got the opportunity to move ahead through education,” she said, adding that the challenges facing today’s youth were different.
She also flagged the growing use of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on employment.
With AI expected to change the nature of many jobs, Mittal questioned whether enough public discussion was taking place about the future young people would face.
“As a mother of two daughters, it is natural for me to worry about their future,” she said.
‘WE NEED PEOPLE’S POWER’, NOT MONEY AND MUSCLE
Mittal said her political approach would be guided by four principles: intention, justice, concern and thinking. She also argued that politics should focus on people’s problems rather than treating them merely as electoral figures.
She said she did not have the money or muscle power often associated with electoral politics and questioned the expenditure involved in elections, arguing that development resources should instead go towards roads, bridges and schools.
Calling Uttar Pradesh her “karmabhoomi”, Mittal said she wanted to begin her political journey in the state, where she served in several administrative roles.
Her resignation was accepted with effect from September 15, 2026. She announced the decision on August 30, citing personal and family reasons.
Mittal, who studied at IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore before working in London and returning to India to prepare for the civil services, said her next political steps would take shape with public participation.
“We don’t need money and muscle power, we need people’s power,” she said.
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