Lucknow: Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Divya Mittal on Thursday, October 15, announced the launch of her political outfit, Jan-niti Bharat Party, and said it would contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

In a video message shared on social media, Mittal outlined three key promises centred on people-driven policymaking, decisions based on need rather than identity, and public accountability.

Under the first principle, she said citizens would have a direct say in shaping policies. The party’s motto is “Jan se niti, Niti se Bharat”, meaning policies by the people to build India.

Her second promise, “Zarurat se faisla, faisle mein barabari”, emphasises decisions based on need and equality in decision-making. The third, “Janata ko hisaab; Hisaab se sudhaar”, commits to public accountability and reform.

Mittal had indicated her political ambitions last month, saying she wanted to work directly with people rather than join an established political party. Describing Uttar Pradesh as her “karmabhoomi”, she pledged to address public concerns and urged supporters to join her initiative through contact details shared online.

The announcement follows her resignation from the IAS on August 30, which the Uttar Pradesh government accepted on September 15, ending her 13-year civil service career.

A 2013-batch officer, Mittal studied at IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore before working in London and returning to India to prepare for the civil services examination. She cleared it in her second attempt, securing the 68th rank.

She served as district magistrate in Sant Kabir Nagar, Mirzapur and Deoria, and later held senior government positions, including Special Secretary in the Revenue Department.

Mittal has not yet announced the constituency from which she intends to contest.