Uttar Pradesh (UP) consists of 75 districts and has a gross state domestic product of US$310 billion, This makes the sixth-largest economy among Indian states. This state is the most populous state in India, with over 240 million people (2021 estimate).
Kanpur is the biggest city, encompassing 300 km² and holding a population of 2.92 million people. Lucknow is the capital and the second biggest city, with a population of 2.90 million people. Muzaffarnagar is a city with the highest population density, with 41,123 people per square kilometer.
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh and one of the largest cities in the state. It has a lengthy and well-received history, as well as a renowned culture and culinary scene. A number of famous buildings, including the Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara, and Rumi Darwaza, can be found in this city. Also popular are the region’s traditional Awadhi dishes, such as the aforementioned biryani, kebabs, and korma.
Ghaziabad is a city in western Uttar Pradesh and a part of the National Capital Region (NCR) of India. The city is known for its rapid urbanization and development, with several high-rise buildings and shopping malls. It is also an important center for the state’s automotive and engineering industries.
Below table shows cities population, area, density and district
| Rank | City Name | Population | Area (km²) | Density ( inhabitants/km²) | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kanpur | 2,920,496 | 300 | 9,732 | Kanpur |
| 2 | Lucknow | 2,902,920 | 337 | 8,601 | Lucknow |
| 3 | Ghaziabad | 2,375,820 | Ghaziabad | ||
| 4 | Agra | 1,760,285 | 149 | 11,784 | Agra |
| 5 | Varanasi (Benares) | 1,432,280 | 112 | 12,747 | Varanasi |
| 6 | Meerut | 1,420,902 | 183 | 7,737 | Meerut |
| 7 | Allahabad | 1,212,395 | 81 | 14,841 | Allahabad |
| 8 | Bareilly | 985,752 | 126 | 7,821 | Bareilly |
| 9 | Aligarh | 911,223 | 40 | 22,538 | Aligarh |
| 10 | Moradabad | 887,871 | 88 | 10,012 | Moradabad |
| 11 | Saharanpur | 705,478 | 25 | 27,397 | Saharanpur |
| 12 | Gorakhpur | 694,889 | 142 | 4,889 | Gorakhpur |
| 13 | Noida | 637,272 | 90 | 7,047 | Gautam Buddh Nagar |
| 14 | Firozabad | 604,214 | 29 | 20,302 | Firozabad |
| 15 | Jhansi | 547,638 | 72 | 7,549 | Jhansi |
| 16 | Muzaffarnagar | 495,543 | 12 | 41,123 | Muzaffarnagar |
| 17 | Mathura | 456,706 | 36 | 12,536 | Mathura |
| 18 | Rampur | 349,258 | 20 | 17,290 | Rampur |
| 19 | Shahjahanpur | 347,852 | 22 | 15,704 | Shahjahanpur |
| 20 | Farrukhabad | 291,374 | 23 | 12,451 | Farrukhabad |
| 21 | Maunath Bhanjan | 278,745 | 25 | 10,884 | Mau |
| 22 | Hapur | 262,983 | 14 | 18,519 | Panchsheel Nagar |
| 23 | Faizabad | 256,624 | 63 | 4,048 | Faizabad |
| 24 | Etawah | 256,838 | 40 | 6,273 | Etawah |
| 25 | Mirzapur | 246,920 | 40 | 6,069 | Mirzapur |
Related Article: 10 India’s largest Districts
Cities in Uttar Pradesh : Literacy, GDP
Uttar Pradesh showcases striking contrasts in literacy and economic development across its major cities. While Kanpur boasts a literacy rate of 79.68%, Bareilly lags behind at 58.49%. Economically, Lucknow leads with a robust GDP of ₹85,000 crores, followed by Kanpur and Ghaziabad. However, cities like Moradabad and Aligarh struggle with lower literacy rates and weaker economic contributions, underscoring the need for balanced regional growth.
| City Name | Literacy Rate (%) | Estimated GDP (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| Lucknow | 77.29% | ₹85,000 |
| Kanpur | 79.65% | ₹70,000 |
| Ghaziabad | 78.07% | ₹65,000 |
| Agra | 71.58% | ₹60,000 |
| Varanasi | 75.60% | ₹55,000 |
| Meerut | 72.84% | ₹50,000 |
| Prayagraj | 72.32% | ₹48,000 |
| Bareilly | 58.49% | ₹42,000 |
| Moradabad | 56.77% | ₹40,000 |
| Aligarh | 67.52% | ₹38,000 |
Highest Literacy Rate: Kanpur leads with 79.65%, followed closely by Ghaziabad (78.07%) and Lucknow (77.29%).
Lowest Literacy Rate: Moradabad (56.77%) and Bareilly (58.49%) show room for improvement, possibly due to rural spillover and industrial focus.
Lucknow tops the chart with an estimated GDP of ₹85,000 crore, followed by Kanpur (₹70,000 crore) and Ghaziabad (₹65,000 crore).
Facts about Cities in Uttar Pradesh
- Lucknow, popularly called the City of Nawabs, is famous for its Tehzeeb (etiquette), Chikankari embroidery, and Mughlai food. As the capital of Uttar Pradesh, it also serves as a major cultural hub.
- Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and a top pilgrimage destination for Hindus.
- Agra houses the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
- Kanpur, once a major industrial hub, earns the nickname “Manchester of the East” for its leather industry and hosts IIT Kanpur, one of India’s top engineering institutes.
- Mathura, believed to be Lord Krishna’s birthplace, is a key religious and cultural center.
- Ayodhya, regarded as Lord Rama’s birthplace, holds immense significance in Hindu worship.
- Noida is rapidly growing as a tech and business hub with a high standard of living.
- Jhansi, linked to Rani Lakshmibai (a hero of the 1857 rebellion), features the historic Jhansi Fort.
- Firozabad, nicknamed “India’s Glass City”, specializes in producing glass bangles.
- Gorakhpur is famous for the Gorakhnath Temple and has the world’s second-longest railway platform at Gorakhpur Junction.
- Aligarh is renowned for its lock industry and hosts the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
