Government data accessed by The Secretariat offers a rare glimpse into the attrition from one of India’s most prestigious civil services: the IAS. 

West Bengal recorded the highest number of IAS exits – four, to be precise - that were formally accepted since 2010. Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka followed, accounting for a substantial share of the resignations during the period.

The data assumes significance in the light of the resignation of 2013-batch Uttar Pradesh-cadre IAS officer Divya Mittal, whose decision to quit the service has triggered political and public debate in the state. Her resignation has, however, not yet been accepted by the state government.

Resignation Submitted Or Accepted

Government data lists the names of officers, their respective cadres, and the dates on which their resignations were accepted. It provides a consolidated account of officers who formally exited the IAS through resignation, rather than those who merely submitted resignation requests.

The distinction is important because the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) does not maintain a tally of officers who submitted resignations but later withdrew them before acceptance.

A senior DoPT official cited the case of Shah Faesal, a 2010-batch IAS officer and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) topper, as an example. 

Faesal resigned from service in January 2019 and subsequently entered politics. His resignation remained pending for a prolonged period, with the government stating that the matter was under consideration. 

He later withdrew his resignation, and in April 2022, the government accepted his request for withdrawal and reinstated him in the IAS. He was subsequently posted as Deputy Secretary in the Tourism Ministry in August 2022.

“Therefore, the data reflects only those cases where resignations were ultimately accepted and resulted in an officer exiting the service. Officers who withdrew their resignations before acceptance are not included,” the official said.

Maximum Resignations In 2010

The year-wise figures show that 2010 witnessed the highest number of accepted resignations, with six IAS officers leaving the service. In most subsequent years, the number remained relatively low, generally ranging between one and four. 

There were, however, occasional spikes, with four resignations accepted in 2018 and three in 2024.

The officers who left the IAS subsequently pursued varied professional paths. While some entered politics, others moved into activism, entrepreneurship, and other public-facing or professional careers.

Officials said the diverse trajectories underline that resignation from the IAS cannot be attributed to a single motivation or trend. Individual decisions to leave the service may be shaped by professional aspirations, political interests, personal considerations, or the pursuit of opportunities outside government.

The gap between submitted and accepted resignations also makes the government’s figure particularly significant. Resignation announcements can attract considerable political and media attention, but unless the resignation is formally accepted, they do not necessarily translate into an actual exit from the civil service, the officials said.

Spotlight On Mittal

The latest IAS resignation has come from Mittal, who described her 13-year stint in the civil service as an “unforgettable” journey. 

The state’s bureaucratic and political circles are rife with discussion that she could eventually enter politics from either Mirzapur or Deoria districts, particularly because of the strong public connect she developed during her postings there.

Mittal, however, has not publicly endorsed such a possibility.

The 43-year-old had been serving as Special Secretary in Uttar Pradesh’s Revenue Department since May. Perceived as forthright and assertive, her actions and remarks often attracted public attention.  

As Mirzapur District Magistrate from September 2022 to September 2023, Mittal became known for her highly visible administrative style that focused on tangible outcomes. 

Her decision to quit became a subject of political controversy in Uttar Pradesh, even as the formal process of accepting her resignation remains pending.

The government’s data suggests that while IAS resignations remain relatively uncommon, they are not a new phenomenon. The 32 officers whose exits were formally accepted represent a small but significant stream of departures.