Uttar Pradesh General Information UPPCS – UP Special (GS V UPPCS, GS VI UPPCS)

Abhishek Pandey (UP Special, GS V and GS VI Faculty UPPCS)

UP Special Notes, GS V UPPCS, GS VI UPPCS

Uttar Pradesh General Information for UP Special (GS V UPPCS & GS VI UPPCS)

1. Name and Capital

The history of Uttar Pradesh is very ancient, in the later Vedic period it was known as Brahmarshi Desh or Madhya Desh.

2.  State Symbol

State Emblem: 

This seal depicts the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna at Prayagraj, signifying the state’s geographical and spiritual significance.

It also features a pair of fishes, symbolizing the Muslim rulers of Awadh, and a bow and arrow, representing Lord Rama and Ayodhya, highlighting the historical and cultural aspects of the state.             

State Bird:

Soaring high with its long legs and elegant neck, the Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone)              is the state bird of Uttar Pradesh. Revered for its beauty and association with good luck and prosperity, it serves as a symbol of hope and harmony.

State Animal:

The majestic Swamp Deer, also known as Barasingha (Rucervus Duvaucelii), holds the distinction of being the state animal of Uttar Pradesh. These graceful creatures found primarily in Dudhwa National Park symbolize grace, elegance, and the importance of wildlife conservation.       

State Tree:

The Ashoka tree, scientifically known as Saraca asoca or Saraca indica, has great religious significance and can be found in many religious folk tales. It’s often grown on royal grounds and near temples. As per Hinduism, it’s a sacred tree. Due to its religious significance, which also represents the richness of the state’s religious culture, it was declared the state tree.

State Flower:

The vibrant Palash, also known as Tesu Flower (Butea monosperma) flower, also known as Flame of the Forest, adorns the state with its fiery orange blooms. It signifies not only the state’s natural beauty but also its cultural significance, featuring in various traditional practices and ceremonies.

State Sport:

Field hockey is the state sport of Uttar Pradesh.

State Language:

First State Language – Hindi (since1947, officially recognised on 26 January 1968)

Second State Language – Urdu (since 1989)

State Classical Dance Form:

Kathak

3.  Administrative Units

3.1 Division

Administrative Division – 18 (18th Aligarh)

Biggest Division – Kanpur, Lucknow and Meerut (6 Districts in each District)

Smallest Division – Mirzapur, Azamgarh, Basti, Jhansi and Saharanpur (3 district)

Easternmost division of the state – Azamgarh

Westernmost division of the state – Saharanpur

Northernmost division of the state – Saharanpur

Southernmost division of the state – Mirjapur/Vidhyadham (Vindhyachal division)

How many divisions of Uttar Pradesh share borders with other states – 17 (Faizabad does not share borders)

3.2 District

District – 75 (75th District of the State – Sambhal)

The state shares boundaries – 9 states & union territory (8 states and 1 union territory)

The state shares boundaries – 1 country (Nepal)

Is Shamli and Saharanpur share border? – Yes

District which bordered with maximum number of states – Sonbhadra (4 – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar)

Saharanpur – 3 (Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand)

The District of Uttar Pradesh is surrounded by Madhya Pradesh on three sides – Lalitpur

District in National Capital Region (NCR):

There are eight districts in Uttar Pradesh that fall within the National Capital Region (NCR):

• Meerut
• Ghaziabad
• Gautam Budh Nagar
• Bulandshahr
• Hapur
• Baghpat
• Muzaffarnagar
• Shamli

This NCR is a planning region centered around the National Capital Territory of Delhi in India. It encompasses Delhi and several districts surrounding it from the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Its primary purpose is to plan and manage the development of the region in a coordinated manner. NCR was Established in 1985 and Managed by the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB).

3.3 Proposed Division of UP

Vindhyachal

Vindhyachal is a city in Mirzapur district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is a Hindu pilgrimage site having the temple of Vindhyavasini (Vindhyachal Dham), who according to Markandeya Purana, had incarnated to kill the demon Mahishasura.

Vindhyan region

The Vindhyan region in Uttar Pradesh is a geographical and cultural region that encompasses the Vindhya Range, a discontinuous range of hills and mountains stretching across central India. It covers parts of several districts in the southern part of the state, including:

• Mirzapur
• Sonbhadra
• Chitrakoot

The Vindhyan region plays a significant role in the ecology and cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh. Some of the notable places in the Vindhyan region of UP include:

• Vindhyachal Temple, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Goddess Shakti.
• Maihar, a hill station known for its scenic beauty and temples.
• Panna National Park, a tiger reserve known for its diverse wildlife.

Vindhya Pradesh

Vindhya Pradesh was a former state of India. It was created in 1948 as Union of Baghelkhand and Bundelkhand States, shortly after Indian independence, from the territories of the princely states in the eastern portion of the former Central India Agency. It was named as Vindhya Pradesh on 25 January 1950 after the Vindhya Range, which runs through the centre of the province. The capital of the state was the former princely state of Rewa.

Bhojpuri region

The Bhojpuri region is a cultural and linguistic region in the plains of India. It consists of the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh and the western parts of the Magadha region of Bihar. The region is named after the Bhojpur district of Bihar, which is the heartland of the Bhojpuri language and culture.

3.4 Other

Total Districts – 75 (As of December 2, 2024, Uttar Pradesh has 76 districts, including one temporary district. The Maha Kumbh area of Prayagraj was declared a temporary district by the Uttar Pradesh government.)

Sub divisions – 18

Gram Panchayat – 59163

Block Panchayats – 821

Nagar Panchayat – 437

Tehsils – 350

Municipal Council – 198

Municipal Corporation – 17

Special Area Development Authority – 5

Community Development Block – 822

Nyaya Panchayats – 8,135

4. Economical Facts

Economic Zones – 4

Position of UP in India (GDP) – 2nd largest GSDP (1^st – Maharashtra)

Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Uttar Pradesh at Current Prices (2024-25) – 24.99 Lakh crore

Budget Size (2024-25) – Rs. 7,36,438 crores

Per capita GSDP/Per Capita Income (2022-23) as per Current Prices – Rs 96,193

Fiscal Deficit – Rs. 86,531 crores (3.46% of GSDP)

Revenue Surplus – 74,147 (2.97% of GSDP)

Primary Deficit – 32,819 (3.46% of GSDP)

Population Living Below Poverty Line       – 29.43 (2011-12 Tendulkar Committee)

Position of UP in India according to Sugar Production – 1st (2nd Maharashtra)

Position of UP in India according to Sugarcane Production – 1st (2nd Maharashtra, 3rd Karnataka)

First Producing Districts of Sugarcane – Shamli

Position of UP in India according to Wheat Production – 1^st (Top Wheat Producing States: Uttar Pradesh >  Madhya Pradesh > Punjab > Haryana.)

Position of UP in India according to Grain Production – 1st (2nd Madhya Pradesh)

Position of UP in India according to Rice Production – 2nd (1st West Bengal)

Position of UP in India according to Vegetable Production – 2nd (1st West Bengal)

Position of UP in India according to Fruit Production – 3rd (1st Andhra Pradesh)

Position of UP in India according to Pulses Production – 3rd (1st Madhya Pradesh)

Kanpur is the largest and industrial city of Uttar Pradesh, hence it is also called the economic capital of Uttar Pradesh.

5. Political Facts

5.1 Uttar Pradesh’s 18th Legislative Assembly

Constituted on March 11, 2022, following the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election.

Elections for the 403 assembly seats were conducted in seven phases from February 10 to March 7, 2022.

Results were declared on March 10, 2022.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Holds a majority with 255 seats.

Samajwadi Party (SP): The main opposition party with 111 seats.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD): 8 seats.

Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP): 6 seats.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM): 1 seat.

Independents: 22 seats.

Notable Positions:

Governor: Smt. Anandiben Patel. She has held this position since July 29, 2019.

Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath (Bharatiya Janata Party)

Deputy Chief Ministers:

• Brajesh Pathak (Bharatiya Janata Party)
• Keshav Prasad Maurya (Bharatiya Janata Party)

Speaker: Satish Mahana (Bharatiya Janata Party)

Deputy Speaker: Currently vacant

Leader of the House: Yogi Adityanath (Bharatiya Janata Party)

Deputy Leader of the House: Suresh Kumar Khanna (Bharatiya Janata Party)

Leader of the Opposition: Akhile sh Yadav (Samajwadi Party)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Suresh Khanna (President), Ashok Gupta (Leader of Legislature Party)

Samajwadi Party (SP): Shivpal Yadav (Chairman), Naresh Agarwal (State President)

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD): Jayant Chaudhary (National President)

Principal Secretary: Pradeep Kumar Dubey

Number of women members in the 18th Legislative Assembly – 47

District With Most Legislative Assembly Seats – Prayagraj (12 Seats)

District With Lowest Legislative Assembly Seats – Shravasti, Mahoba, Chitrakoot (2-2 seats)

Instance of president’s rule in Uttar Pradesh – Uttar Pradesh has seen 10 instances of President’s rule imposed in its history. This makes it the state with the most occurrences of President’s rule in India. The last instance was implemented on March 8, 2002, and ended on May 3, 2002.

The first time President’s rule was imposed in Uttar Pradesh was in 1950. While some sources claim the first instance occurred in 1968, official sources like the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Vidhan Parishad websites state the initial implementation happened in 1950.

5.2 Legislature

Lok Sabha seats – 80

Rajya Sabha seats – 31

Legislative Assembly – 403 (404, Anglo Indian)

Legislative Council – 100

Such Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, who got the distinction of being the Prime Minister of India – Chaudhary Charan Singh and Vishwanath Pratap Singh

Such Speaker of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, who also became Chief Minister – Shri Banarsidas and Shripati Mishra

The first state Legislative Assembly constituted – July 1937

First Chief Ministers of the state – Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant

First Deputy Chief Minister of the State – Chaudhary Narayan Singh

First woman chief minister of state and country – Sucheta Kripalani (Also the first woman Chief Minister of India.)

First woman governor of state and country – Sarojini Naidu (Also the first woman Governor of India.)

First Speaker of the state Legislative Assembly after independence – Rajarshi Purushottam Das Tandon

First Chairman of Legislative Council of the state after independence – Chandra Bhal

First Chief Justice of Uttar Pradesh Allahabad High Court – Sir Walter Morgan

6.  Geographical Facts

Area – 2,40,928 sq. kms. (About 7.33% of India’s area). Uttar Pradesh comes after Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, ranking as the fourth largest state in India.

Latitude – 23°52′ North Latitude to 30°28′ North Latitude

Longitude – 77°3′ East Longitude to 84°39′ East Longitude

Length of the state from east to west – 650 Kms.

Length of the state from north to south – 240 Kms.

Largest district of the state (in area) – Lakhimpur Kheri (7680 sq. km.)

Sonbhadra is the second-largest district of UP.

Smallest district of the state (in area) – Hapur (660 sq. km.)

Population – 19,98,12,341 (16.50% of the total population of India, most populous state in India and the largest subdivision in the world by population)

Agro– Climatic Zones in the state – 09

Soil Group Zone in the state – 08

Longest canal system in the state – Sharda Canal (938 kilometers)

Oldest Canal of the State – Eastern Yamuna Canal (1830)

Natural boundary of Uttar Pradesh:

6.1 Major Cities Situated on the Banks of Rivers in Uttar Pradesh

Physical Division of UP

River – Major Cities

Ganga – Kanpur, Varanasi, Garhmukteshwar, Farrukhabad, Kannauj, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, Budaun, Bithoor

Yamuna – Mathura, Agra, Etawah, Kalpi, Bateshwar, Kaushambi, Hamirpur

Gomati – Lucknow, Jaunpur, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sultanpur

Rapti – Gorakhpur, Deoria, Balrampur, Siddharth Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar

Ramganga – Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Moradabad, Budaun, Hardoi

Sarayu – Ayodhya

Hindon – Saharanpur, Ghaziabad, Meerut

Sai – Pratapgarh, Jaunpur

Sone – Sonbhadra

7. Sub-Names of Cities and Districts of Uttar Pradesh

City Name           Sub-Name

Saharanpur – city of wood carving

Pilibhit – Mini Punjab

Deoria – Devaranya, Devpuria

Muzaffarnagar – Sarwat Nagar

Fatehpur – Battlefield City

Azamgarh – Kaifi Azmi Nagar

Rampur – City of Nawab, City of Knives

Lakhimpur Kheri – Laxmipur

Pratapgarh – Amla Nagari, Bela Bhavani Nagar, The Citadel of the Kings

Mau – Maunath Bhanjan

Moradabad – Brass City, Pottery City

Sitapur – Naimisharanya Nagar

Kaushambi – Primate city

Ballia – Baaghi Zila

Lucknow – City of Nawabs, City of Gardens, City of Mangoes, City of Nazakat-Nafsat

Hardoi – Haridrohi Nagar

Prayagraj – Sangam city, Kumbh city, Tirtharaj, Guava city

Jaunpur – Shiraz-e-Hind

Amroha – Jyotiba Phule Nagar

Unnao – Chandrashekhar Azad Nagar

Bijnor – Katehar kshetra

Ghazipur – Sister of Kashi

Meerut – Revolution city, Scissors city

Badaun – Nizamuddin Auliya Nagar

Ayodhya – City of God, Saket Dham, Ramnagar, Ram Janmabhoomi

Chandauli – Rice Bowl

Baghpat – Land of the Tiger

Kannauj – Perfume City, City of Fragrances, Kanyakubj Nagar

Ghaziabad – Mini Delhi, Industry City

Varanasi – Vishwanath Nagari, Mukti Nagar, City of Ghats

Sultanpur – Kuspura

Amethi – Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj Nagar

Mathura – The city of Krishna, the city of Peda, the city of pandas

Bhadohi (district headquarters of Sant Ravidas Nagar) – Carpet City (It is the largest hand carpet weaving industry center in South Asia)

Sant Kabir Nagar – Khalilabad

Bahraich – Syed Masood Ghazi Nagar, Rishi Bhoomi

Etawah – Chambal City

Bulandshahr – Ahar zone

Sonbhadra – Energy Capital of India (Sonbhadra is called as Energy Capital of India because there are so many power plants. Singrauli is known as the ‘Energy Capital of Madhya Pradesh’ (emerging as India’s energy capital.)

Shravasti – Sahet–Mahet Nagar

Auraiya – A Land of Diversity

Aligarh – The Lock City of India

Kasganj – Kanshiram Nagar

Balrampur – Devipatan, Shaktipeeth

Kanpur Dehat – Ramabai Nagar

Hathras – Mahamaya Nagar

Kanpur Nagar – Manchester of North India, Leather City, Industry City

Gonda – Jaiprakash Nagar

Mirzapur – Mahatrikon Nagar, Rameshwar

Gautam Buddha Nagar – Noida, Greater Noida

Jalaun – Panchnanda Nagar

Siddharth Nagar – Buddha city

Shamli – Prabuddh Nagar

Agra – Taj Nagari, Petha Nagari

Jhansi – City of Bundela (Capital Mahoba)

Chitrakoot – Vanvas Nagar, Mandarachal

Basti – Vashishti Nagar

Hapur – Panchsheel Nagar, Mini Jallianwala Bagh (A massacre that took place on 18 August 1942 during the Indian War of Independence)

Firozabad – Bangle city, Suhag nagri

Lalitpur – Deogarh Nagar

Sambhal – Bhimnagar

Mainpuri – Kapoori Nagar

Hamirpur – Jejakabhukti Region

Maharajganj – Karapath Nagar

Etah – Shukar kshetra Varaha Nagar

Barabanki – The Gateway of Purvanchal, Deva Nagar

Mahoba – Mahotsav Nagar

Gorakhpur – Gorakhdham, Nath Nagar, Geeta Press Nagar

Farrukhabad – Panchal Nagar

Bareilly – Bans Bareilly, Surma Nagari

Banda – Bundelkhand

Kushinagar – Mahaparinirvana Nagar

Ambedkar Nagar – Seehmai Karirat Nagar

Shahjahanpur – Carpet Industry

8. Park and Cities in UP

Lohiya Park – Lucknow

Janeshwar Mishra Park – Lucknow

Knowledge Park – Greater Noida

Science Park – Sandeela (Hardoi)

Defence Park – Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi

Software Technology Park of India – Noida

Apparel Park – Tronica City, Ghaziabad

Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park – Kanpur

Leather Park – Agra

Textile Park – Kanpur

Aerospace Park – Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Meerut and Gautam Buddha Nagar

Agro Park – Varanasi and Barabanki

Mega food Park – Bahedi, Bareilly

Perfume Park – Kannauj

Leather Technology Park – Banthar, Unnao

Buddha Theme Park – Varanasi

First Bio-Technology Park – Lucknow

Theme Park (Tourism)    – Agra

Tronica City – Ghaziabad

Electronic City – Noida

Medi City – Lucknow

Web City – Ghaziabad

Toy City – Greater Noida

Cyber City – Kanpur

Plastic City – Dibiyapur, Auraiya

Regional Science City      Lucknow

Solar City – Agra, Prayagraj, Moradabad

Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor – Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Aligarh, Jhansi and Chitrakoot

Kanshiram Smarak Sthal – Lucknow

Kailash Mansarovar Bhawan – Ghaziabad

First DNA Bank of India – Lucknow (First DNA Bank of Asia)

National Hindi Museum – Agra

9. Research Institutes in UP

Lucknow:

Indian Institute Toxicology Research – Lucknow

Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture – Lucknow

National Botanical Research Institute – Lucknow

Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleo Botany – Lucknow

Central Drug Research Institute – Lucknow

Indian Sugarcane Research Institute – Lucknow

Judicial Training and Research Institute – Lucknow

National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property – Lucknow

Indian Technological Research Centre – Lucknow

Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) – Lucknow

Research Design and Standards Organisation – Lucknow

National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources – Lucknow

State Alternative Energy Research & Training Centre – Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh Export Corporation Ltd – Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research – Lucknow

State Disaster Management Authority – Lucknow

Biotechnology Park Uttar Pradesh – Lucknow

Pradeshiya Industrial & Investment Corporation – Lucknow

Institute of Entrepreneurship Development – Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh Electronics Corporation Limited – Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh Handicrafts Development & Marketing Corporation Limited – Lucknow

Kanpur:

National Sugar Research Institute              Kanpur

National Institute of Pulses Research       Kanpur

Indian Institute of Technology – Kanpur

Laxmipat Singhania Institute of Cardiology – Kanpur

Uttar Pradesh Textile Technology Institute – Kanpur

Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority – Kanpur

UP Industrial Co– operative Association Limited – Kanpur

Uttar Pradesh Financial Corporation – Kanpur

Kannauj

Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre – Kannauj

Izzatnagar (Bareilly):

National/Indian Veterinary Research Institute – Izzatnagar (Bareilly)

Central Avian Research Institute – Izzatnagar (Bareilly)

State’s first central jail – Bareilly

Jhansi

National Research Centre for Agro Forestry – Jhansi

Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute – Jhansi

Varanasi

Indian Institute of Vegetable Research – Varanasi

Indian Institute of Handloom Technology – Chaukaghat (Varanasi)

Trade Facilitation Center and Craft Museum – Varanasi

Mathura

Central Institute for Research on Goat (CIRG) – Mathura

Prayagraj

Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute – Prayagraj

Harish Chandra Research Institute – Prayagraj

Saharanpur

Central Pulp and Paper Research Institute – Saharanpur

Noida

National Institute of Biologicals – Noida

National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research – Noida

VV Giri National Labor Institute – Noida

Raebareli

National Institute of Pharmaceuticals Education & Research Institute – Raebareli

Bhadohi

Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) – Bhadohi

Etawah

Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences – Saifai (Etawah)

Chunar and Khurja

Government Porcelain Development Center – Chunar and Khurja

Agra

State Leather Development and Marketing Corporation Limited – Agra

10. Industries Location in Uttar Pradesh

First Sugar Mill – Pratappur, Deoria (1903)

Manchester of North India – Kanpur

Bharat Steel Rolling Mill – Muzzaffar Nagar

Tata Motors – Lucknow

Hindustan Cables Limited – Naini (Prayagraj)

Bharat Electronics Limited – Ghaziabad

Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) – Jhansi, Varanasi and Jagdishpur

Urea Fertiliser Factory (IFFCO) – Bareilly

Paper Industry  – Lucknow, Saharanpur

11. Prelims PYQs on Uttar Pradesh General Information

Courtesy eMock Test – https://emocktest.in/

12. FAQs on Uttar Pradesh General Information

Coming Soon.

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