In this guide
Every year on 24 January, Uttar Pradesh celebrates UP Diwas — the day in 1950 when the United Provinces were renamed Uttar Pradesh. But the state's story began much earlier, as the East India Company gradually acquired territories across the Ganga plain, and continued long after, when Uttarakhand was carved out in 2000. Understanding how UP took shape helps explain its size, its regions and its institutions.
The Company's acquisitions
| Year | Territory | How |
|---|---|---|
| 1775 | Banaras region | Ceded by the Nawab of Awadh |
| 1801 | Ceded Provinces — Rohilkhand, lower Doab, Gorakhpur | Ceded by Awadh under the subsidiary alliance |
| 1803 | Conquered Provinces — Agra, Delhi region, upper Doab | Conquered from the Marathas (Second Anglo-Maratha War) |
| 1815–16 | Kumaon and Garhwal (now Uttarakhand) | Anglo-Nepal War |
The North-Western Provinces
- In 1834, a Presidency of Agra was proposed; in 1836, the territories were organised as the North-Western Provinces (NWP), under a Lieutenant-Governor, with headquarters at Agra.
- After 1857, the capital moved to Allahabad (1858).
The annexation of Awadh
- Awadh (Oudh) was annexed in 1856 and administered by a Chief Commissioner from Lucknow.
- In 1877, the offices of Lieutenant-Governor of the NWP and Chief Commissioner of Oudh were combined — the province became the North-Western Provinces and Oudh.
The United Provinces (1902)
- In 1902, the province was renamed the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh.
- In 1921, the Lieutenant-Governorship was upgraded to a Governor's province under the Montagu–Chelmsford reforms.
- The capital was gradually shifted from Allahabad to Lucknow in the 1920s (under Governor Sir Harcourt Butler), though Allahabad retained the High Court.
- Under the Government of India Act, 1935, the name was shortened to United Provinces (1937).
Uttar Pradesh (1950)
- On 24 January 1950, the United Provinces were renamed Uttar Pradesh ("northern province"), retaining the initials UP.
- Govind Ballabh Pant, Premier since 1946, became the first Chief Minister.
- UP celebrates UP Diwas on 24 January (officially since 2018, when the ODOP scheme was also launched).
The High Court
- The High Court of the North-Western Provinces was established at Agra in 1866 and moved to Allahabad in 1869.
- The Chief Court of Oudh at Lucknow was amalgamated with the Allahabad High Court in 1948, which is why the Allahabad High Court has a Lucknow bench.
- It is one of the largest High Courts in India by number of judges.
The creation of Uttarakhand (2000)
- The hill regions of Garhwal and Kumaon had long demanded a separate state, citing their distinct geography, culture and development needs.
- The Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 created Uttaranchal (renamed Uttarakhand in 2007) on 9 November 2000.
- UP lost its Himalayan region, hill forests, hill stations and much of its hydropower potential.
UP today
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Area | About 2.4 lakh sq km — the fourth-largest state by area |
| Population | The most populous state (about 20 crore in Census 2011) |
| Divisions | 18 |
| Districts | 75 |
| Capital | Lucknow |
| High Court | Allahabad (bench at Lucknow) |
| Legislature | Bicameral — Vidhan Sabha (403) and Vidhan Parishad (100) |
| Lok Sabha seats | 80 — the most of any state |
Practice
Prelims-style:
- When was the name "Uttar Pradesh" adopted?
- When was the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh formed?
- Why does the Allahabad High Court have a Lucknow bench?
- When was Uttarakhand created, and under which Act?
- How many Lok Sabha seats does UP have?
Mains-style:
- Trace the administrative evolution of Uttar Pradesh from 1836 to 2000.
- Examine the consequences of the creation of Uttarakhand for Uttar Pradesh.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission website .
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