How Divya Mittal Left London Finance to Become an IAS Leader

Divya Mittal’s story defies ordinary career narratives. An alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, she once held a high-paying finance role at JP Morgan in London. Yet, she chose to leave that global trajectory to pursue the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Her journey embodies a deep commitment to public service and meaningful impact beyond personal comfort.

From Global Finance to the UPSC Challenge

Mittal’s early professional life placed her at the heart of global finance. She worked in exotic derivatives trading for a top investment bank in London a role many would consider the apex of corporate achievement. However, she felt a compelling urge to contribute to her home country in a more profound way. Inspired by her husband, IAS officer Gagandeep Singh, she returned to India and set her sights on the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.

In her first attempt at the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2012, she secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 68, earning a position in the Indian Police Service (IPS). Mittal, however, wanted to serve as an IAS officer. With unshakeable dedication, she sat for the exam again and succeeded in 2013, becoming an IAS officer of the 2013 batch.

Transforming Lives Through Administration

Mittal’s work as a civil servant has been marked not just by credentials, but by impactful leadership. As District Magistrate of Mirzapur, a region in Uttar Pradesh with significant developmental challenges, she confronted issues long ignored by bureaucratic inertia. One of her most notable accomplishments was bringing piped water to Lahuriyadah village, a community of roughly 1,200 people that had lacked reliable water supply for over 76 years.

A previous government project there had spent nearly ₹4.87 crore without success. Mittal didn’t accept defeat. She assembled a team of geophysicists and technical experts from Banaras Hindu University to develop a sustainable solution. By blending leftover infrastructure from the earlier attempt with new technical insights, she delivered a working piped water system. On August 31, 2023, she personally turned on the tap, ending decades of hardship for the villagers.

This achievement, and moments like drinking water from a roadside tap herself or receiving heartfelt farewells from villagers, showcase Mittal’s hands-on leadership and genuine connection with the communities she serves.

Redefining Leadership with Vulnerability and Empathy

Beyond administrative milestones, Mittal has emerged as a compelling voice on modern womanhood and personal resilience. On International Women’s Day, she candidly discussed her struggles with “motherhood guilt” while managing the pressures of being a District Magistrate. She openly shared nights spent overwhelmed by responsibilities and her determination to be “enough” for her family and her work.

Her message that emotions are an asset, not a weakness resonates with many, especially women balancing professional ambition with personal life. Her advice to “forgive yourself” and act with self-compassion extends beyond her own journey into a broader lesson about leadership shaped by humanity.

What Divya Mittal’s Journey Means for Aspirants

Mittal’s trajectory offers several insights for aspirants of public service:

• Purpose outweighs prestige — she chose impact over financial comfort.
• Resilience matters — even after a high rank in her first attempt, she pursued her true goal.
• Leadership is relational — connecting with people at the grassroots can redefine governance.

Her narrative also highlights the evolving nature of civil services today: leaders who combine intellectual excellence with emotional intelligence and practical problem-solving.