{
  "id": 4812784,
  "title": "Who is Divya Mittal, the IIT-IIM graduate-turned-IAS officer who resigned?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/who-is-divya-mittal-the-iit-iim-graduate-turned-ias-officer-who",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T07:24:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttar-pradesh/who-is-divya-mittal-the-iit-iim-graduate-turned-ias-officer-who-resigned/article71413813.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Divya Mittal, a 2013 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has made headlines after announcing her resignation from the service via a social media post. Her decision has sparked controversy, with the Congress party calling it \"very serious\" and emphasizing the need for honest officers to function independently and without political pressure.\n\nBorn and raised in modest circumstances in New Delhi, Mittal pursued her education at the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIM). After completing her management education at IIM Bangalore, she spent time working in London before deciding to return to her home country and pursue a career in public service.\n\nMittal joined the civil services in 2013 and began her career with assignments in Uttar Pradesh, initially serving as Joint Magistrate in Meerut. She later took on roles such as Chief Development Officer in Gonda and District Magistrate of Sant Kabir Nagar, Mirzapur, and Deoria. It was during her tenure as District Magistrate in Mirzapur that Mittal worked to bring piped water to Lahuria Dah, a remote village in the semi-arid hills of the district. The village of approximately 2,000 residents, primarily reliant on water tankers and other inadequate water sources, finally received piped water in August 2023 after decades of waiting. The village residents, including those with disabilities and farmers whose fields received water, expressed gratitude and relief due to Mittal's efforts.\n\nIn her resignation post, Mittal reflected on her journey, acknowledging that while her education and achievements were a debt she owed to her country, it was her duty to contribute back to the nation. She felt a sense of fulfillment in helping the people of Mirzapur and other districts where she served. Mittal emphasized that her experiences as an IAS officer taught her that true power derived from the trust and grace of the people, not from her position. Her resignation post highlighted her commitment to serving her country and the people, even after achieving personal success.",
  "summary": "In her resignation post, Ms. Mittal said the image that stayed with her was that of an elderly woman touching her head in gratitude after seeing the water arrive",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "U.P. Congress chief Ajay Rai flags IAS officer Divya Mittal’s resignation, seeks Governor’s intervention",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/u-p-congress-chief-ajay-rai-flags-ias-officer-divya-mittals",
        "published": "2026-08-31T19:20:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}