Lucknow: After IAS officer Divya Mittal’s (2013: UP) decision to leave the civil services and explore a political career, another woman officer in Uttar Pradesh has stepped away from government service. Uttar Pradesh Provincial Civil Services (PCS) officer Anupama Saroj Singh, who served as Deputy Commissioner in the State Tax Department (GST), has taken voluntary retirement, with her application reportedly approved by the state government.
Her decision has drawn attention because of her indication that she intends to move from administrative service to public life. In a social media message posted on November 4, she described the move as the beginning of a new journey with a renewed commitment to society.
Anupama has not announced any formal political affiliation or confirmed plans to contest an election. However, her family’s political background and her husband’s association with the Samajwadi Party have prompted speculation about her next move.
What Did Anupama Saroj Singh Say About Leaving the PCS?
In her November 4 post on X, Anupama described her departure from administrative service as more than a change in professional role. She presented it as an opportunity to take up her responsibilities towards society in a different capacity.
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She wrote:
“A new beginning… with a new resolve!”
In her video message, she also reflected on her experience in administration, saying that the service had given her an opportunity to understand people’s problems and work towards addressing them. However, she felt that there were limitations to what she could accomplish within the system, particularly when certain changes required policy-level intervention.
She indicated that she now wanted to become an active participant in bringing about change rather than simply expecting it.
Why Did Anupama Saroj Singh Decide to Leave Government Service?
Anupama said she had been considering leaving government service for nearly 10 years before finally deciding to take voluntary retirement.
She explained that her experience in administration had brought her close to people’s concerns, but she sometimes felt constrained by the limits of her official role.
She also highlighted the importance of women’s participation in politics and policymaking, arguing that greater representation was necessary to build a more inclusive and sensitive society.
According to her, her experience in the music industry had also shaped her understanding of people’s emotions, struggles and aspirations.
Who Is Anupama Saroj Singh? Her Administrative Career
Anupama Saroj Singh is a Uttar Pradesh PCS officer who most recently served as Deputy Commissioner in the State Tax Department, commonly referred to as the GST Department.
Born in Lucknow, Anupama Saroj Singh received training in classical music under Ustad Gulshan Bharti of the Lucknow Gharana. She studied at the Bhatkhande Music Institute in Lucknow, now known as Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya.
Her administrative career also included a stint at the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), where she served as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
She served as a bureaucrat who also pursued her interest in music alongside her government responsibilities. At the time, she was serving at the LDA while continuing her work as a singer.
Her career can be broadly summarised as follows:
- Administrative service: Served in the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Civil Services.
- GST Department: Worked as Deputy Commissioner in the State Tax Department.
- Lucknow Development Authority: Previously served as an Officer on Special Duty.
- Voluntary retirement: Her VRS application has reportedly been approved by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Anupama Raag: Her Career in Music and Films
Apart from administration, Anupama is known in the music industry by the name Anupama Raag. She has worked as a playback singer, composer and music professional.
She entered the Hindi film music industry in 2011 with the song Shalu Ke Thumke from the film Bin Bulaye Baraati. She subsequently lent her voice to songs associated with films such as Miley Naa Miley Hum and Zila Ghaziabad.
Her musical work also includes Gulaab Gang, in which she was associated with the song Rangi Saari Gulabi.
She was also among the recipients of the Uttar Pradesh government’s Yash Bharti Samman for 2016–17, an honour recognising contributions across different fields.
Anupama Saroj Singh’s Family Background: Political and Administrative Connections
Anupama comes from a family with a background in both public administration and politics.
Her family connections include:
- Mother – Sushila Saroj: A former Member of Parliament from the Mohanlalganj constituency in Uttar Pradesh. She won the Lok Sabha election in 2004 and was also associated with the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led government.
- Husband – Anurag Bhadauria: A Samajwadi Party leader and spokesperson. He has also contested elections from the Lucknow East Assembly constituency.
- Father – R.P. Saroj: A former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.
Her family background has added to the political interest surrounding her decision to leave government service.
Will Anupama Saroj Singh Join the Samajwadi Party or Contest the 2027 UP Elections?
Anupama’s decision to move towards public life has triggered speculation about a possible political entry ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Reports have suggested that she could be considered for the Sidhauli Assembly constituency in Sitapur district. Her mother’s political career and her husband’s association with the Samajwadi Party have also fuelled discussions about a possible connection with the party.
However, Anupama has not publicly confirmed joining the Samajwadi Party, contesting from Sidhauli or seeking an electoral ticket from any political party.
She has indicated that her immediate focus will be on issues concerning women, disadvantaged communities and education. She also said that she would decide her future course after discussions with her family and close associates.
For now, her move marks a transition from a career in administration and music towards a new phase of public engagement.
