Divya Mittal, a 2013 batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has resigned from her post as Special Secretary in the Revenue Department, sparking a wider debate on bureaucratic pressure.
- IAS Divya Mittal voluntarily resigned after 13 years of distinguished service.
- She held the position of Special Secretary in the UP Government's Revenue Department.
- Former CM Akhilesh Yadav linked the trend of resignations to systemic corruption.
- Nearly a dozen IAS officers from the UP cadre have left the service in recent years.
In a surprising turn of events, Divya Mittal, a highly respected 2013 batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has officially resigned from her position. Currently serving as the Special Secretary in the Revenue Department of the Uttar Pradesh government, Mittal announced her departure through a poignant and lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter). While she did not explicitly state the catalyst for her resignation, her words reflect a deep emotional journey.
Divya Mittal's academic pedigree is exemplary. Born in 1983, she is an alumna of IIT Delhi (Engineering) and IIM Bengaluru (Management). Before entering the civil services, she gained international professional experience working in London. After completing her training in Mussoorie, she served in various critical capacities across Uttar Pradesh, including roles as Joint Magistrate in Meerut and Chief Development Officer in Gonda.
Her tenure as the District Magistrate (DM) and Collector in Sant Kabir Nagar, Mirzapur, and Deoria earned her significant acclaim for her proactive administration. In her farewell note, she wrote, "I thought I came to give something, but the truth is, I received the most," highlighting the love and respect she garnered from the public and her colleagues.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the exit of high-caliber officers like Divya Mittal signifies a growing trend of 'brain drain' within the Indian bureaucracy. When individuals with elite credentials from IITs and IIMs choose to leave the most prestigious service in the country, it raises critical questions about the current work-culture, political interference, and the mental toll of administrative duties in the modern era.
"The resignation of top-tier bureaucrats often signals a misalignment between professional ethics and the systemic pressures of political governance."
The resignation has also ignited a political firestorm. Former Chief Minister and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav seized the opportunity to criticize the current BJP-led government. Without naming Mittal specifically, Yadav alleged that honest officers are under immense pressure due to systemic corruption, 'commission-seeking' cultures, and irregularities in tenders and postings.
According to reports from the Hindustan Times, this is not an isolated incident. Approximately a dozen IAS officers from the UP cadre have sought Voluntary Retirement (VRS) or resigned in recent years. While some cite personal reasons, others are lured by lucrative opportunities in the private sector, indicating a shift in the perceived value of government service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which batch did IAS Divya Mittal belong to?
Answer: She belonged to the 2013 batch of the Indian Administrative Service.
Q2: What were her previous designations in UP?
Answer: She served as the District Magistrate (DM) of Sant Kabir Nagar, Mirzapur, and Deoria, and was most recently the Special Secretary in the Revenue Department.