Lucknow, August 30: Uttar Pradesh-cadre IAS officer Divya Mittal has resigned from the Indian Administrative Service after a 13-year career in public service. She shared an emotional note on X explaining her decision and reflecting on her journey.
Divya Mittal, an alumna of IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore, had worked in London before returning to India to pursue a career in civil services. She cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination and joined the IAS about 13 years ago.
Divya Mittal Reflects on 13-Year IAS Journey
In her post, Divya said she decided to resign from the IAS of her own volition. She described her 13-year journey as memorable and said her experiences in different districts shaped her understanding of public service.
She recalled growing up in a modest environment and working hard to study at IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore. After completing her education, she worked in London but eventually chose to return to India.
According to Divya, she wanted to contribute directly to building the India she had envisioned. She subsequently cleared the civil services examination and had the opportunity to serve as an IAS officer.
During her tenure, Divya said she learned important lessons from her assignments in different parts of Uttar Pradesh.
आज मैंने 13 वर्षों की अविस्मरणीय यात्रा को अपनी इच्छा से विराम देते हुए IAS से त्यागपत्र दे दिया है।
साधारण परिवेश में पलते हुए मैंने एक अच्छे, सफल जीवन का सपना देखा था। दिन-रात एक कर IIT दिल्ली और IIM बैंगलोर से पढ़ने के बाद, लंदन में नौकरी लग गयी। पर ‘सब कुछ’ पा लेने पर भी कुछ… pic.twitter.com/4VRXpK8nu8
— Divya Mittal (@divyamittal_IAS) August 30, 2026
She said Deoria taught her that standing up for what is right is a duty. Her experience in Mirzapur taught her that the word “impossible” is often only an opinion.
She also recalled visiting the shrine of Goddess Vindhyavasini and said the experience taught her that true power comes not simply from a position, but from grace and the trust of people.
Public service remained central to her journey
Divya said the most meaningful part of her career was seeing the impact of government initiatives on people’s lives.
She recalled families receiving land rights for the first time, differently-abled people gaining opportunities to live with dignity and farmers receiving water for their fields.
These experiences, she said, helped her understand that there is a human being behind every government file. Protecting their dignity, she added, is an essential part of justice.
Divya also credited colleagues, officers and staff for supporting her throughout her career. She said people often appeared happier about her achievements than she was herself.
She recalled how people continued to show faith in her even when she felt exhausted or emotionally overwhelmed. Their support, she said, gave her the strength to continue.
Emotional farewell to public service
Towards the end of her message, Divya became emotional while recalling a particular incident from her tenure.
She remembered an elderly woman from the hills of Lahuriya Dah who saw water reach her village for the first time.
According to Divya, the woman did not say anything but touched her head with trembling hands and blessed her.
Divya said that moment would remain with her forever.
Although she has stepped down from her position, she said the experience and the dreams that India gave her would continue to stay with her.
Her resignation marks the end of a 13-year chapter in the IAS, but her message indicates that her commitment to public service and the people she served remains deeply important to her.
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