Districts of Uttar Pradesh: Complete List of 75 Districts

Districts of Uttar Pradesh: Complete Guide to All Districts, Divisions, History, Administration, and Facts

Introduction

Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the most populous state in India and one of the country’s most important administrative, cultural, historical, and economic regions. Located in northern India, Uttar Pradesh is often called the “Heartland of India” because of its large population, rich heritage, and significant contribution to Indian politics, agriculture, education, and industry.

To ensure effective governance and administration, Uttar Pradesh is divided into multiple districts. These districts serve as the primary administrative units through which the state government implements policies, delivers public services, and maintains law and order.

As of 2026, Uttar Pradesh has 75 districts, making it one of the states with the highest number of districts in India.

What Is a District?

A district is an administrative division within a state. It acts as a local unit of governance and administration.

Each district is headed by a District Magistrate (DM) or District Collector, who is usually an officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

District administrations are responsible for:

• Law and order
• Revenue collection
• Land records management
• Disaster management
• Elections
• Development programs
• Public welfare schemes
• Coordination among government departments

Uttar Pradesh at a Glance

Administrative Structure of Uttar Pradesh

The administrative hierarchy of Uttar Pradesh is:

State → Division → District → Tehsil → Block → Village

The state government supervises all districts through divisional commissioners and district administrations.

Divisions of Uttar Pradesh

The 75 districts are grouped into 18 administrative divisions.

1. Agra Division

• Agra
• Firozabad
• Mainpuri
• Mathura

2. Aligarh Division

• Aligarh
• Etah
• Hathras
• Kasganj

3. Ayodhya Division

• Ayodhya
• Ambedkar Nagar
• Barabanki
• Sultanpur
• Amethi

4. Azamgarh Division

• Azamgarh
• Ballia
• Mau

5. Bareilly Division

• Bareilly
• Badaun
• Pilibhit
• Shahjahanpur

6. Basti Division

• Basti
• Sant Kabir Nagar
• Siddharthnagar

7. Chitrakoot Division

• Banda
• Chitrakoot
• Hamirpur
• Mahoba

8. Devipatan Division

• Bahraich
• Balrampur
• Gonda
• Shravasti

9. Gorakhpur Division

• Gorakhpur
• Deoria
• Kushinagar
• Maharajganj

10. Jhansi Division

• Jhansi
• Jalaun
• Lalitpur

11. Kanpur Division

• Kanpur Nagar
• Kanpur Dehat
• Auraiya
• Etawah
• Farrukhabad
• Kannauj

12. Lucknow Division

• Lucknow
• Hardoi
• Lakhimpur Kheri
• Raebareli
• Sitapur
• Unnao

13. Meerut Division

• Meerut
• Baghpat
• Bulandshahr
• Gautam Buddha Nagar
• Ghaziabad
• Hapur

14. Mirzapur Division

• Mirzapur
• Bhadohi
• Sonbhadra

15. Moradabad Division

• Moradabad
• Amroha
• Bijnor
• Rampur
• Sambhal

16. Prayagraj Division

• Prayagraj
• Fatehpur
• Kaushambi
• Pratapgarh

17. Saharanpur Division

• Saharanpur
• Muzaffarnagar
• Shamli

18. Varanasi Division

• Varanasi
• Chandauli
• Ghazipur
• Jaunpur

Complete List of All 75 Districts of Uttar Pradesh

1. Agra
2. Aligarh
3. Ambedkar Nagar
4. Amethi
5. Amroha
6. Auraiya
7. Ayodhya
8. Azamgarh
9. Baghpat
10. Bahraich
11. Ballia
12. Balrampur
13. Banda
14. Barabanki
15. Bareilly
16. Basti
17. Bhadohi
18. Bijnor
19. Badaun
20. Bulandshahr
21. Chandauli
22. Chitrakoot
23. Deoria
24. Etah
25. Etawah
26. Farrukhabad
27. Fatehpur
28. Firozabad
29. Gautam Buddha Nagar
30. Ghaziabad
31. Ghazipur
32. Gonda
33. Gorakhpur
34. Hamirpur
35. Hapur
36. Hardoi
37. Hathras
38. Jalaun
39. Jaunpur
40. Jhansi
41. Kannauj
42. Kanpur Dehat
43. Kanpur Nagar
44. Kasganj
45. Kaushambi
46. Kushinagar
47. Lakhimpur Kheri
48. Lalitpur
49. Lucknow
50. Maharajganj
51. Mahoba
52. Mainpuri
53. Mathura
54. Mau
55. Meerut
56. Mirzapur
57. Moradabad
58. Muzaffarnagar
59. Pilibhit
60. Pratapgarh
61. Prayagraj
62. Raebareli
63. Rampur
64. Saharanpur
65. Sambhal
66. Sant Kabir Nagar
67. Shahjahanpur
68. Shamli
69. Shravasti
70. Siddharthnagar
71. Sitapur
72. Sonbhadra
73. Sultanpur
74. Unnao
75. Varanasi

Largest District of Uttar Pradesh by Area

Lakhimpur Kheri

• Area: Approximately 7,680 sq km
• Located near the Nepal border
• Known for forests, wildlife, and sugarcane farming
• Home to Dudhwa National Park

Smallest District by Area

Hapur

• Area: Around 660 sq km
• Located in western Uttar Pradesh
• Close to Delhi NCR

Most Populous District

Prayagraj

Prayagraj is among the most populous districts in Uttar Pradesh and is famous for:

• Triveni Sangam
• Kumbh Mela
• Educational institutions
• Historical importance

Least Populous District

Mahoba

Mahoba has a relatively smaller population and is known for:

• Historical forts
• Chandela dynasty heritage
• Stone and granite industries

Historical Development of Districts in Uttar Pradesh

The district system evolved during British rule. The British administration divided territories into districts to simplify governance and revenue collection.

After independence, Uttar Pradesh continued using the district administration model. Over time, new districts were created to improve governance, reduce administrative burden, and bring government services closer to citizens.

Several districts such as:

• Hapur
• Shamli
• Kasganj
• Sambhal
• Amethi

were created or reorganized to meet administrative needs.

Economic Importance of Uttar Pradesh Districts

Different districts contribute to different sectors.

Agriculture

Major agricultural districts include:

• Lakhimpur Kheri
• Sitapur
• Hardoi
• Bareilly
• Shahjahanpur

Main crops:

• Wheat
• Rice
• Sugarcane
• Pulses
• Oilseeds

Industry

Important industrial districts include:

• Kanpur Nagar
• Gautam Buddha Nagar
• Ghaziabad
• Agra
• Meerut

Tourism

Leading tourism districts include:

• Agra
• Mathura
• Varanasi
• Ayodhya
• Prayagraj

Famous Districts and Their Specialties

Educational Importance of Districts

Many districts are home to prestigious educational institutions.

Lucknow

• Universities
• Medical colleges
• Research institutions

Prayagraj

• Historic educational centers
• Competitive exam preparation hubs

Varanasi

• Renowned universities
• Cultural learning centers

Aligarh

• Major educational institutions and research centers

Role of District Administration

District administrations perform numerous functions:

Revenue Administration

• Land records
• Tax collection
• Property registration

Law and Order

• Coordination with police departments
• Public safety

Development Programs

• Rural development
• Infrastructure projects
• Welfare schemes

Disaster Management

• Flood response
• Drought management
• Emergency relief operations

Importance of Districts in Elections

Districts play a major role during elections.

Responsibilities include:

• Voter registration
• Polling arrangements
• Election monitoring
• Vote counting

District Magistrates often serve as District Election Officers.

Challenges Faced by Uttar Pradesh Districts

Some common challenges include:

• Rapid population growth
• Urbanization
• Infrastructure demands
• Traffic congestion
• Environmental concerns
• Water management
• Employment generation

The state government continues to implement development projects to address these issues.

Future of District Administration in Uttar Pradesh

Modern technology is transforming district governance.

Key initiatives include:

• Digital land records
• Online certificates
• E-governance services
• Smart city projects
• Digital grievance systems
• GIS-based planning

These reforms aim to improve transparency, efficiency, and citizen services.

Interesting Facts About Uttar Pradesh Districts

• Uttar Pradesh has 75 districts.
• It is India’s most populous state.
• Agra district contains the world-famous Taj Mahal.
• Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
• Lakhimpur Kheri is the largest district by area.
• Hapur is among the smallest districts by area.
• Prayagraj hosts the world’s largest religious gathering, the Kumbh Mela.
• Gautam Buddha Nagar is one of India’s fastest-growing urban districts.

Conclusion

The districts of Uttar Pradesh form the backbone of the state’s administrative system. With 75 districts spread across 18 divisions, Uttar Pradesh manages governance for more than 240 million people. Each district has its own identity, culture, economy, and historical significance. From the spiritual centers of Ayodhya and Varanasi to the industrial hubs of Kanpur and Noida, every district contributes uniquely to the growth and development of the state.

Understanding the districts of Uttar Pradesh helps students, competitive exam aspirants, researchers, and general readers gain valuable insight into one of India’s most influential states. As technology and infrastructure continue to advance, the role of district administration will become even more important in shaping Uttar Pradesh’s future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Districts of Uttar Pradesh

1. How many districts are there in Uttar Pradesh?

As of 2026, Uttar Pradesh has 75 districts. These districts are grouped into 18 administrative divisions for better governance and administration.

2. Which is the largest district in Uttar Pradesh by area?

Lakhimpur Kheri is the largest district in Uttar Pradesh by area, covering approximately 7,680 square kilometers.

3. Which is the smallest district in Uttar Pradesh?

Hapur is one of the smallest districts in Uttar Pradesh by area, covering around 660 square kilometers.

4. How many divisions are there in Uttar Pradesh?

Uttar Pradesh is divided into 18 administrative divisions, which oversee the functioning of the state’s 75 districts.

5. What is the capital district of Uttar Pradesh?

Lucknow is the capital district of Uttar Pradesh and serves as the administrative center of the state.

6. Which district is famous for the Taj Mahal?

Agra district is famous for the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. Which district includes Noida?

Gautam Buddha Nagar district includes Noida and Greater Noida, which are major industrial and IT hubs in northern India.

8. Which district is known as the spiritual capital of India?

Varanasi district is often called the spiritual capital of India because of its ancient temples, ghats, and religious significance.

9. Which district hosts the Kumbh Mela?

Prayagraj district hosts the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

10. Why are districts important in Uttar Pradesh?

Districts help in local administration, law enforcement, revenue collection, development planning, implementation of government schemes, and delivery of public services.

11. Who is the head of a district in Uttar Pradesh?

A district is generally headed by a District Magistrate (DM) or District Collector, who is responsible for administration and governance.

12. Which district is the birthplace of Lord Rama?

Ayodhya district is traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama and is one of the most important religious destinations in India.