Lucknow: Former Indian Administrative Service officer Dr Rakesh Verma, a 2013-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has entered active politics after taking Voluntary Retirement from Service (VRS) and joining the Indian National Congress ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Verma formally joined the Congress on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters in Lucknow in the presence of state Congress president Ajay Rai.
He joined the party expressing faith in its policies and constitutional values. South Indian actress Firdous Bano, also known as Zara Khan, joined the party on the same occasion.
The new entrants were formally inducted as primary members by Nitin Sharma, the state-level in-charge for new joinings.
Verma’s political entry adds another former civil servant to the growing list of bureaucrats who have moved into politics after leaving government service.
Rakesh Verma Says Politicians and Officials Must Fulfil Their Responsibilities
Speaking after joining the Congress, Verma said that both politicians and government officials have clearly defined responsibilities and should concentrate on performing them effectively.
He also stressed the importance of education, arguing that saving the country requires a greater focus on educating people.
Verma expressed concern that officials are increasingly being involved in activities beyond their actual responsibilities. He said the country and the state are currently being governed by people whom he believes do not have adequate faith in democracy and the Constitution.
He emphasised that governance must remain rooted in the Constitution and said he sees the Congress as a political party that upholds constitutional values.
“I have come here to work. Good work needs to be done; both politicians and officials must fulfil their respective responsibilities.”
Explaining his decision to enter politics, Verma said his interaction with Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had inspired him.
He also praised Ajay Rai’s political struggles and said that these factors influenced his decision to join the Congress.
“I was inspired after meeting Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. I am joining the Congress party because I am impressed by the struggles of state president Ajay Rai, and because the Congress is a truly good party today.”
Ajay Rai Welcomes Former IAS Officer Into Congress
Ajay Rai welcomed the new members by placing Tricolour scarves around their necks.
While welcoming Verma, Rai highlighted his work as a social activist and his association with children with disabilities.
According to Rai, Verma is currently caring for 85 children with disabilities and is known for his compassionate approach to social work.
Rai said the entry of Verma and Firdous Bano would strengthen the Congress organisation, adding that both had expressed their willingness to work within the party organisation.
The joining programme also saw several people from Lucknow enter the Congress under the leadership of Narendra Gautam, the former Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Mohanlalganj.
Who Is Dr Rakesh Verma?
Dr Rakesh Verma, also spelled Rakesh Varma in some references, is a former IAS officer of the 2013 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
He took voluntary retirement from government service before moving towards a combination of literary pursuits, social activism and, now, active politics.
His career has extended beyond conventional administration. Alongside his government responsibilities, Verma has developed interests in public policy, leadership training, writing, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
He is also known for writing poetry and Urdu ghazals under the pen name Rakesh ‘Rahi’.
Educational Background
Verma has an extensive academic background and has studied across multiple disciplines.
He is an alumnus of Lucknow University, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Anthropology, and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.).
He also holds a Ph.D., with available profiles variously describing his area of specialisation in sociology or urban governance.
His academic exposure extends internationally as well. He completed a Master’s in Public Policy from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.
The combination of public administration, management, social sciences and public policy has formed an important part of his professional profile.
IAS Career Spanning State and Central Government
During his administrative career, Verma served in different capacities in both the Uttar Pradesh government and the Central Government.
His experience covered administration as well as leadership development and training.
He has been recognised as a leadership expert and trainer, and his expertise in training and leadership earned him the National Award for Excellence in Training.
He has also served as a guest faculty member at prominent training institutions, sharing his experience in administration, leadership and public policy with government officials and other trainees.
His decision to take VRS eventually allowed him to devote greater time to writing, social work and other interests outside government service.
Why Did Rakesh Verma Take VRS?
Verma’s voluntary retirement was linked not only to his eventual political journey but also to his long-standing interests in literature and social activism.
Following his exit from government service, he devoted substantial time to writing and social work.
His literary identity has developed alongside his public-service background, with his poetry and Urdu ghazals being published under the pen name Rakesh ‘Rahi’.
His transition from administration to writing and social activism has now been followed by his formal entry into electoral politics.
A Former Bureaucrat With a Literary Side
Verma has authored several books across different genres.
His published works include the novels “Just Don’t Do It” and “Just a Housewife”, both published by Rupa Publications.
He also authored “Startup Guide”, a Hindi-language book aimed at helping Hindi-medium entrepreneurs navigate the challenges associated with language barriers in the startup and business ecosystem.
His literary interests have remained an important part of his identity even after his administrative career.
His work has also had an inclusion-oriented dimension. One of his books was released in Braille and audiobook formats by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on World Disability Day, highlighting his engagement with accessibility and disability inclusion.
Social Work and Association With Children With Disabilities
Verma has also been associated with social activism and disability-related work.
Ajay Rai specifically highlighted his work with children with disabilities while welcoming him into the Congress.
According to Rai, Verma has been looking after 85 children with disabilities, an aspect of his post-service public engagement that the Congress leadership believes adds to his social credentials.
His work in this area has also connected with his literary efforts, particularly the move to make his work accessible through Braille and audiobook formats.
From IAS Officer to Congress Leader
Verma’s journey now marks a transition from public administration to partisan politics.
After serving as a civil servant in Uttar Pradesh and the Central Government, taking VRS and pursuing writing and social activism, he has chosen to enter politics through the Congress.
At the joining ceremony in Lucknow, he made clear that his political decision was driven by his belief in constitutional governance and his desire to work.
He cited his interaction with Rahul Gandhi as an important source of inspiration and praised Ajay Rai’s political struggles.
His remarks also indicate that he intends to draw upon his experience as a former government officer while working within the Congress organisation.
Entry Comes Ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections
Verma’s entry into the Congress comes at a politically significant time, with Uttar Pradesh heading towards its next Assembly election.
His transition is part of a broader pattern in which former civil servants enter public life through political parties after leaving government service.
For Verma, however, the move comes after a varied post-IAS journey involving literature, public policy, leadership training and social activism.
With his formal induction into the Congress on September 9, 2026, the former 2013-batch IAS officer has now begun a new chapter of his public career—this time from within the political system rather than the administrative machinery.
Rakesh Verma: At a Glance
- Former Service: Indian Administrative Service
- Batch: 2013
- Cadre: Uttar Pradesh
- Service Status: Retired through Voluntary Retirement from Service
- Political Party: Indian National Congress
- Joined Congress: September 9, 2026
- Pen Name: Rakesh ‘Rahi’
- Education: B.Sc., M.A. Anthropology, MBA, Ph.D., Master’s in Public Policy
- International Education: Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
- Known For: Administration, leadership training, writing, social activism and disability-related work
- Books: Just Don’t Do It, Just a Housewife, Startup Guide
- Social Work: Associated with care and support for 85 children with disabilities, according to Ajay Rai
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