UP IAS Officer Says India’s Finest Education Equipped Her for Achievement, But Not for Joy, Isolation and Emotional Wellness
Lucknow: A deeply reflective post by 2013 batch IAS officer Divya Mittal has resonated with thousands online, triggering a wider conversation about what today’s education system leaves out.
The Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer, who studied at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore before entering the Indian Administrative Service, said that despite receiving the finest education the nation could provide, she was never taught how to cope with loneliness, manage emotions, or discover inner happiness.
In a reflective message shared on X and Facebook, she wrote:
“IIT Delhi to IIM Bangalore to IAS. I received the finest education my country could provide. It showed me how to clear difficult exams and handle major responsibilities. But it never showed me how to calm my own mind or deal with loneliness. We spend countless years learning how to succeed, but not even one day learning how to live happily.”
Her thoughts have connected strongly with students, professionals, and civil services aspirants alike.
What Divya Mittal Believes Is Absent from School Education
Divya Mittal highlighted several life abilities that she feels should be integrated into formal education but are frequently ignored.
Emotional Management
Mittal observed that while students memorize scientific concepts, they are seldom taught how to navigate grief, disappointment, or emotional suffering.
“We memorized the periodic table, but nobody explained the chemistry of heartbreak.”
She argued that many individuals are trained to suppress feelings rather than understand and process them.
Meaningful Communication
According to Mittal, schools focus on essays and presentations but fail to teach students how to communicate vulnerability, establish boundaries, or say “no.”
She explained that these abilities are crucial for handling workplace intimidation, protecting personal time, and sustaining healthy relationships.
Independent Thinking
Mittal stressed that academic success often rewards memorization, whereas real life rewards the courage to ask thoughtful questions.
She cautioned that many adults repeat opinions confidently without ever questioning where those beliefs originated.
Financial Awareness
Although students devote years to solving mathematical formulas, Mittal said they are rarely taught how to handle finances, stay out of debt, and make wise monetary choices.
She described financial literacy as essential for maintaining freedom and minimizing stress.
Self-Motivation
In school, routines and deadlines are externally enforced. Adult life, she said, demands the ability to stay motivated without supervision.
“Discipline is simply the practice of keeping promises to yourself.”
Coping with Loneliness
Mittal noted that school life is surrounded by classmates and companions, but adulthood frequently brings long periods of solitude.
She suggested that people should learn how to feel comfortable with themselves and recognize that being alone is not necessarily the same as feeling lonely.
Understanding People
She emphasized the importance of recognizing hidden intentions and understanding that not everyone reveals their true motives openly.
This, she said, is an essential life capability rarely included in classrooms.
Mental Well-Being
Mittal compared physical education periods with the absence of similar lessons for emotional and psychological wellness.
She stressed the importance of identifying burnout, understanding stress, and knowing when to seek support.
Self-Discovery
Perhaps the deepest lesson, according to Mittal, is self-understanding.
“We spend years trying to become the ‘best’ student, only to realize we don’t know who we are without a gold medal.”
She described the true aim of education as discovering what genuinely matters before society defines success on our behalf.
Who Is Divya Mittal?
Divya Mittal is a distinguished Indian Administrative Service officer known for her academic achievements and thoughtful administrative leadership.
Born on November 23, 1983, she belongs to the 2013 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Educational Qualifications
B.Tech. from IIT Delhi
Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Bangalore
Awards and Recognitions
Ashok Bambawale Memorial Award for Outstanding IAS Officer Trainee
Summer Undergraduate Research Award
Administrative Career
Divya Mittal has served in several significant roles, including:
District Magistrate and Collector, Deoria
Chief Development Officer
Joint Magistrate
Vice Chairman
Joint Managing Director
Assistant Secretary
Following recent administrative reshuffles in Uttar Pradesh, she has been appointed as Special Secretary in the Revenue Department.