Just a chapter, not my entire life: Divya Mittal gets candid on why she quit IAS

IAS officer Divya Mittal has broken her silence after voluntarily resigning from the Indian Administrative Service, saying the decision was carefully considered and was not prompted by pressure or any sudden “trigger moment”.Speaking to India Today, Mittal said her decision was based on her priorities, interests and family. “The IAS job is merely one chapter of my life, not my entire existence,” she said.The 2013-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre officer, who served as District Magistrate of Deoria, Mirzapur and Sant Kabir Nagar, is currently posted as Special Secretary in the Board of Revenue.In a social media post announcing her resignation, Mittal described her 13 years in the IAS as an “unforgettable journey” and expressed gratitude for the experiences, colleagues and people she encountered during her career. WHY DIVYA MITTAL RESIGNED FROM IASMittal said her resignation was not a hurried decision. She said she had considered her priorities, interests and responsibilities towards her family before taking the step.She is a mother of two daughters and said that, alongside her family responsibilities, she also wants to pursue some of her long-held interests. She indicated that her future could involve writing, teaching or social service, although she has not yet taken a final decision on what she will do next. Reflecting on her decision, she said the IAS was an important part of her life, but not the entirety of it.‘I WANTED TO REPAY MY DEBT TO THIS SOIL’In her resignation post, Mittal recalled growing up in a modest environment and dreaming of a successful life. After studying at IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore, she secured a job in London. IAS officer Divya Mittal quits, shares note She worked at JP Morgan, while her husband, former IAS officer Gagandeep Singh Dhillon, worked at Citi Group. Despite having successful careers and lucrative salaries abroad, both eventually returned to India after feeling that something was incomplete.She subsequently returned to India and joined the civil services. Mittal secured the IAS with an All India Rank of 68 in her second attempt in 2012, while Dhillon cleared the civil services examination in his first attempt.FROM DEORIA TO MIRZAPURDuring her tenure in Uttar Pradesh, Mittal served as District Magistrate in Deoria, Mirzapur and Sant Kabir Nagar. IAS officer Divya Mittal She said her postings taught her lessons that went beyond administration. According to her, Deoria taught her that standing up for what is right is a duty, while Mirzapur taught her that “impossible” is not a fact but an opinion.She also recalled her experiences at the feet of Goddess Vindhyavasini in Mirzapur, saying they taught her that true power comes not from a position but from divine grace and the trust of the people.WHAT HAPPENS TO DIVYA MITTAL’S RESIGNATION?The resignation submitted by Mittal is currently pending. The decision rests with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, after a recommendation from the Uttar Pradesh government.Meanwhile, her resignation has also brought renewed attention to her husband Gagandeep Singh Dhillon, a former IAS officer who resigned as Joint Director General in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 2022.Both Mittal and Dhillon are alumni of IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore.For Mittal, however, her resignation marks the end of only one part of that journey, rather than the end of her larger ambitions.- EndsWith inputs from Ankit MishraPublished On: Aug 30, 2026 23:10 IST