UP GK

Introduction

Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the most populated state in India, which possesses a great historical, political, cultural, and economic importance . The geography, history, polity, economy, society and contemporary trends in the state are very imperative to the UPPSC aspirants .

State Profile

• Capital: Lucknow
• Created: 1 November 1956 (as Uttar Pradesh; formerly United Provinces until 1950)
• Area: 2,40,928 sq. km (7.3% of India)
• Divisions: 18 | Districts: 75
• Population (2011): 19.98 crore (the largest in India)
• Boundaries: 9 (8 states + Nepal)

Symbols of the State

• Emblem: Bow, arrow and two fishes.
• Bird: Sarus Crane
• Animal: Barasingha
• Tree: Ashoka
• Flower: Palash
• Sport: Hockey

Political/Administrative Facts.

• Legislature: Bicameral (403 Assembly + 100 Council)
• Lok Sabha seats: 80 Rajya Sabha seats: 31.
• Govind Ballabh Pant was the first CM, Sucheta Kripalani was the first woman CM.
• First Governor: Sarojini Naidu.
• Incumbent Assembly Speaker (18th): Satish Mahana.
• Key UP PMs: Charan Singh, V. P. Singh.

Geography

• Lat-Long: 23.52 o w to 30.28 o w and 77.3 o e to 84.39 o e.
• Large Rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghra, Gomti, Ramganga.
• District with most area: Lakhimpur Kheri (7680 sq. km)
• Minimal District: Hapur (660 sq. km)
• Districts with large forests: Sonbhadra, Lakhimpur Kheri.

Economy & Industries

• Big centres: Handloom, brassware (Moradabad), perfumes (Kannauj), carpets (Bhadohi), leather (Kanpur, Agra), sports goods (Meerut).
• The first Indian sugar mill: Pratappur, Deoria (1903).
• SEZ Zones Eastern, Western, central, Bundelkhand.

Infrastructure

• Expressways Purvanchal (340 km), Bundelkhand (296 km), Ganga Expressway (594 km).
• Airports Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Agra, Gorakhpur, Bareilly + future Jewar International Airport (Noida).
• Longest Platform: Gorakhpur (world record).
• Metro: Lucknow (2017).

Demographics (2011 Census)

• Literacy: 67.72% (Male 77.3%, Female 57.2%)
• Sex Ratio: 912 females per 1000 males
• Urban-Rural: 22.3% urban, 77.7% rural
• SC Population: 20.7% | ST Population: 0.6%

Culture & Heritage

• Classical Dance Kathak (Lucknow and Banaras gharan)
• Folk Arts: Nautanki, Ramlila, Rasleela.
• Included in the list of famous monuments : Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri (UNESCO sites).
• Big Festivals: Kumbh Mela (Prayagraj), Ganga Mahotsav (Varanasi)

Wildlife & Environment

• Wild Life Sanctuaries: Dudhwa (Lakhimpur Kheri), Chandraprabha (Chandauli), Katarniaghat (Bahraich), Ranipur (Banda).
• Ramsar Wetlands: Nawabganj (Unnao), Saman (Mainpuri), Samaspur (Raebareli), Sarsai Nawar (Etawah), Soor Sarovar (Agra).