Uttar Pradesh sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha, more than any other state. This article covers its name, capital, people and sacred places, plus a new Varanasi corridor.
At a glance
Four key facts on this topic
Contents
What is the capital, and who leads?
Name, Capital and Leadership
1.1 What is Uttar Pradesh's capital, and when was it renamed?
The capital is Lucknow. The state was called the United Provinces before 1950. The Governor-General passed the United Provinces (Alteration of Name) Order on 24 January 1950. That order renamed it Uttar Pradesh.
1.2 Who leads the state?
As of October 2026, Yogi Adityanath is the Chief Minister.
The High Court is the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. It has a Bench at Lucknow.
The Legislative Council has 100 members. It had 108 members until Uttarakhand was formed.
Think it through: Why is the court named after Allahabad when the capital is Lucknow?
The court dates from the days when Allahabad was the provincial capital. Only a Bench sits at Lucknow.
How the State Took Shape
2.1 How did the name and boundaries change?
The region was under the Bengal Presidency until 1834. Lord Canning moved to Allahabad in January 1858. He formed the North Western Province there.
| Year | Change |
|---|---|
| 1868 | High Court moves from Agra to Allahabad |
| 1877 | North Western Provinces and Oudh combined |
| 1902 | Named the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh |
| 1921 | Legislative Council meets in Lucknow, after the 1920 election |
| 24 Jan 1950 | Renamed Uttar Pradesh |
| 9 Nov 2000 | Uttarakhand carved out |
Dates as given on the UP Government history page.
Think it through: Which two dates do students swap?
24 January 1950 is the rename. 26 January 1950 is the republic day.
How big is the state?
Population and Administration
3.1 How big is Uttar Pradesh?
Census 2011 counted 199,812,341 people. That is about 20 crore. The state covers 240,928 square kilometres.
The population density is 829 people per square kilometre. The decade growth rate was 20.09 per cent.
3.2 How is it run?
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| Districts | 75 |
| Cities and towns | 689 |
| Development blocks | 820 |
| Nagar Nigams | 12 |
| Lok Sabha seats | 80 |
Census 2011 and UP Government figures. Counts can change after new districts are formed.
Think it through: Why do we quote the 2011 census and not a newer estimate?
Only a census is an official count. Later numbers are estimates.
Which sacred places matter?
Sacred Geography
4.1 Which places make Uttar Pradesh a pilgrim state?
- Varanasi: a city of riverside steps called ghats on the Ganga.
- Ayodhya: the Ram Mandir was consecrated on 22 January 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the ceremony.
- Prayagraj: the Maha Kumbh of 2025 ran for 45 days at the Sangam.
4.2 How big was the 2025 Maha Kumbh?
More than 66.30 crore devotees bathed at the Sangam, according to a PIB release of 3 March 2025.
4.3 Which monument is the best known?
The Taj Mahal is at Agra. UNESCO lists it as a World Heritage Site.
Think it through: Is the Maha Kumbh number a head count of different people?
It counts bathing visits reported by the government. A person visiting twice may be counted twice.
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What is the Varanasi corridor?
Current Affairs: Varanasi Elevated Corridor
5.1 What did the Cabinet approve on 15 July 2026?
The Cabinet approved a six-lane elevated corridor in Varanasi. It links National Highway 19 and the Varanasi Ring Road.
The corridor is 46.039 km long. It will be built on the Hybrid Annuity Model. The total capital cost is Rs 14,447.64 crore.
5.2 What will change for travellers?
- Operating speed will be 80 to 100 km/h.
- Average travel time across the project area falls from about 60 to about 20 minutes.
- The trip from NH-19 to Kashi Railway Station falls from about 50 to about 25 minutes.
- It links the airport, the Ramnagar port, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and BHU.
5.3 Why does it matter?
The project fits the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. More than 15 crore tourists and pilgrims visit Varanasi each year.
Think it through: What is the Hybrid Annuity Model?
The government pays part of the cost during construction. It pays the rest over several years.
What do exams ask?
Exam Traps
6.1 Which facts do students mix up?
- Rename: 24 January 1950, not 26 January.
- Capital Lucknow, but the High Court is at Allahabad.
- Uttarakhand was carved out on 9 November 2000.
- Census 2011: 199,812,341 people and 75 districts.
- Maha Kumbh 2025: more than 66.30 crore devotees in 45 days.
Remember this
- Renamed: 24 January 1950, from United Provinces.
- Capital and court: Lucknow; High Court at Allahabad.
- Census 2011: 199,812,341 people, 75 districts, 80 Lok Sabha seats.
- Uttarakhand: carved out 9 November 2000.
- Maha Kumbh 2025: more than 66.30 crore devotees.
Explain it back: Why do 24 and 26 January 1950 both matter?
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