Total Jila in UP: 75 Districts List & Complete Guide

Uttar Pradesh. The name itself evokes a sense of scale, history, and immense cultural tapestry. As India’s most populous state and the heartland of its northern plains, UP is a sub-nation within a nation. To administer such a vast and diverse entity, it is divided into administrative units known as Jila or Districts. If you’ve ever wondered, “Uttar Pradesh mein kitne jile hain?” (How many districts are there in Uttar Pradesh?), you are not alone. This is a question of great relevance for students, competitive exam aspirants, administrators, travelers, and the simply curious.

The straightforward answer is 75. Yes, as of today, the total number of Jila in UP is 75. But this number is more than just a statistic; it’s a story of evolution, of administrative needs, and of the dynamic nature of India’s largest state.

This article is not just a list; it’s your definitive, all-in-one guide to understanding the districts of Uttar Pradesh. We will delve deep into their history, provide a zone-wise breakdown with key details, explore the newest additions, and understand why this administrative structure is the backbone of the state.

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Section 1: The Big Picture – Understanding Uttar Pradesh’s Administrative Landscape

1.1. What is a Jila (District)?

Before we count the Jila in UP, let’s first understand what a district represents. In the Indian administrative framework, a district is the primary geographical unit below a state. It is headed by a District Magistrate (DM) or Collector, an officer from the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The DM is the government’s face and executive head for the district.

A district is further subdivided into smaller units:

• Tehsils or Talukas (Sub-divisions)

• Blocks (Development units)

• Villages and Towns

The district administration is responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting revenue, implementing state and central government policies, and overseeing overall development. Therefore, knowing the districts is key to understanding how governance reaches the grassroots level in a state as massive as Uttar Pradesh.

1.2. The Evolution of the Total Number of Jila in UP

The count of 75 districts is not a static figure from history. Uttar Pradesh has continually reorganized its internal boundaries to improve governance and bring administration closer to the people.

• At Independence (1947): The state of Uttar Pradesh (then known as the United Provinces) had a much smaller number of districts.

• Gradual Expansion: Over the decades, new districts were carved out of larger, more populous ones. For example, Moradabad division saw the creation of Bijnor and Amroha from the original Moradabad district.

• The Last Major Creation: The most recent and significant wave of new district formations happened in the 1990s and early 2000s. The government led by then Chief Minister Shri Mayawati created several new districts in 1997 to improve administrative efficiency.

• The Current Count: The last district to be formed was Prabuddhanagar in 1997, taking the final tally to 75. While there have been proposals and discussions about creating more (e.g., Mathura-Vrindavan, Muzaffarnagar), no new district has been officially added since then.

This historical context is crucial because it explains why the number “75” is so significant and widely accepted.

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Section 2: The Master List: All 75 Jila in UP, Sorted by Division

Uttar Pradesh is divided into 18 administrative divisions for better management. These divisions are groupings of contiguous districts. Presenting the list division-wise makes it easier to comprehend the state’s geography.

Here is the complete, authoritative list of all 75 Jila in UP.

1. Saharanpur Division

1. Saharanpur – Known for its woodcraft and as the “Gateway to Uttar Pradesh”.

2. Muzaffarnagar – A major sugar and jaggery production hub.

3. Shamli – Carved out of Muzaffarnagar, it’s an emerging agricultural district.

2. Moradabad Division

4. Moradabad – Famously known as “Brass City” or Pital Nagri.

5. Bijnor – Located near the Ganges, known for its sugarcane and forests.

6. Amroha or Jyotiba Phule Nagar – Known for its unique ‘Katha’ work on wood.

7. Rampur – Historically a princely state, famous for Rampuri knives and Rampur-Sahi sarees.

8. Sambhal – Carved out of Moradabad, known for its lock industry.

3. Bareilly Division

9. Bareilly – A major commercial and military center.

10. Badaun (Badaun) – An ancient city with historical significance.

11. Pilibhit – Known for its tiger reserve and dense forests.

12. Shahjahanpur – A historical district with a strong connection to India’s freedom struggle.

4. Lucknow Division

13. Lucknow – The state capital, known as the “City of Nawabs” for its culture, cuisine, and history.

14. Hardoi – A primarily agricultural district.

15. Lakhimpur Kheri – Home to the Dudhwa National Park.

16. Raebareli – A politically significant district, often associated with the Nehru-Gandhi family.

17. Sitapur – A large district with a rich mythological history.

5. Devipatan Division

18. Bahraich – Known for the Dargah of Syed Salar Masood Ghazi.

19. Balrampur – Shares its border with Nepal.

20. Gonda – An agricultural district with several historical sites.

21. Shravasti – A key Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Lord Buddha performed miracles.

6. Ayodhya Division (formerly Faizabad Division)

22. Ayodhya – One of the seven most sacred pilgrimage sites (Sapta Puri) for Hindus, the birthplace of Lord Rama.

23. Ambedkar Nagar – Originally known as Bhadoohi, it was renamed in honor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

24. Barabanki – Known as the “Entry Gate to Awadh”.

25. Sultanpur – Situated on the banks of the Gomti River.

26. Amethi – Formed from Sultanpur, it’s a politically prominent district.

7. Azamgarh Division

27. Azamgarh – Known for its scholarly and literary traditions.

28. Ballia – Known as “Baghi Ballia” for its role in the Quit India Movement.

29. Mau – A major center for the handloom textile industry, especially silk sarees.

8. Basti Division

30. Basti – The divisional headquarters.

31. Sant Kabir Nagar – Named after the saint-poet Sant Kabir Das.

32. Siddharthnagar – Named after Gautama Buddha, whose childhood was spent in the nearby region of Kapilavastu.

9. Gorakhpur Division

33. Gorakhpur – A major cultural and educational hub, home to the Gorakhnath Math.

34. Deoria – Known for its rice production and bustling grain market.

35. Kushinagar – A paramount Buddhist pilgrimage site where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana.

36. Maharajganj – Borders Nepal and is known for its agricultural output.

10. Varanasi Division

37. Varanasi – One of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, a spiritual capital of India.

38. Chandauli – Known as the “Rice Bowl of Purvanchal”.

39. Ghazipur – Historically known for its opium factory and the mausoleum of Lord Cornwallis.

40. Jaunpur – Famous for its medieval Sharqi architecture and bridges.

11. Mirzapur Division

41. Mirzapur – Known for its carpets, brassware, and the Vindhyachal Temple.

42. Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi) – The world’s largest carpet manufacturing hub.

43. Sonbhadra – Known as the “Energy Capital of India” due to its numerous power plants and rich mineral resources.

12. Prayagraj Division

44. Prayagraj (Allahabad) – The city of Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati), host to the Kumbh Mela.

45. Fatehpur – A district with a mix of historical and religious sites.

46. Kaushambi – An important district for Buddhist archaeology.

47. Pratapgarh – Famous for its ‘Pratapgarh’ mangoes and the Shivaji Memorial.

13. Kanpur Division

48. Kanpur Nagar – The industrial and economic powerhouse of Uttar Pradesh.

49. Kanpur Dehat (Ramabai Nagar) – The rural hinterland of Kanpur city.

50. Auraiya – An agricultural district.

51. Etawah – Known for the Patthi Bird Sanctuary and its association with the former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

52. Farrukhabad – Famous for its perfumes and printing industry.

53. Kannauj – Known as the “Perfume Capital of India” and for its traditional ‘Gulkand’.

14. Jhansi Division

54. Jhansi – The land of the legendary Rani Lakshmibai, a symbol of resistance during the 1857 rebellion.

55. Jalaun – Situated in the Bundelkhand region.

56. Lalitpur – The only district in UP that lies in the Vindhya Range.

57. Mahoba – Known for its historical connection to the Chandela dynasty and its lakes.

15. Chitrakoot Division

58. Chitrakoot – A holy town where Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana spent a significant part of their exile.

59. Banda – Known for its Shajar stone and historic forts.

60. Hamirpur – Located on the banks of the Yamuna River.

61. Mahoba – (Also listed under Jhansi division in some classifications, but primarily part of Chitrakoot).

16. Agra Division

62. Agra – Home to the iconic Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

63. Firozabad – Known as the “City of Bangles” for its glass and bangle industry.

64. Mainpuri – A political stronghold.

65. Mathura – The birthplace of Lord Krishna, a major pilgrimage destination.

66. Aligarh – A major educational center, home to Aligarh Muslim University, and known for its lock industry.

17. Aligarh Division

67. Aligarh – (See above).

68. Etah – An agricultural district.

69. Hathras – Known for its stone carving and ‘Hathras Ki Loi’ (a type of blanket).

70. Kasganj (Kanshiram Nagar) – The smallest district by area in Uttar Pradesh.

18. Meerut Division

71. Meerut – A ancient city with a rich history, known for its sports goods, scissors, and the 1857 Revolt.

72. Baghpat – An agricultural district.

73. Bulandshahr – Known for its sugar mills and as the site of the Buland Darwaza.

74. Gautam Buddha Nagar – Home to the cities of Noida and Greater Noida, an IT and industrial hub.

75. Ghaziabad – A major industrial and satellite city of the National Capital Region (NCR).

76. Hapur – Carved out of Ghaziabad, known for its paper mills.

(Note: The count may seem to go to 76 here due to the dual listing of Aligarh, but the total unique districts are 75.)

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Section 3: Deep Dive into the Newest and Most Significant Districts

While all districts are important, some have a fascinating story of their own, especially the ones carved out more recently.

3.1. The Story of the Newest Jila in UP

As mentioned, the last district to be formed was Prabuddhanagar in 1997. However, several others from that era are often considered “new” in the public consciousness.

• Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi): Carved out of Varanasi, this district is the global epicenter of hand-knotted carpet weaving. Its economic significance is immense.

• Amethi & Sant Kabir Nagar: These districts were created to streamline administration in their respective regions and honor important national figures.

• Hapur and Shamli: These are examples of districts created in the 21st century (2011 and 2011 respectively) to address the administrative challenges posed by the rapidly growing population and economy of Western UP.

3.2. Districts with Global Recognition

Some Jila in UP are not just known within India but are famous worldwide.

• Agra: For the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

• Varanasi: For being one of the oldest living cities and the spiritual heart of Hinduism.

• Mathura: As the birthplace of Lord Krishna, it attracts devotees from across the globe.

• Kushinagar: A key site on the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit, revered by millions of Buddhists worldwide.

• Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida/Greater Noida): A global IT and business hub, hosting offices of numerous multinational corporations.

To understand the economic transformation of India, a great resource is the World Bank’s data on India’s development, which often highlights the growth of regions like the NCR, which includes districts like Gautam Buddha Nagar.

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Section 4: Why Knowing the Districts is Crucial: Beyond the Number

The question “Uttar Pradesh mein kitne jile hain?” is asked by millions for various practical reasons.

4.1. For Competitive Exams (Sarkari Naukri)

For aspirants of UPSC, SSC, UP Police, and other state-level examinations, the administrative setup of UP is a fixed and crucial part of the syllabus. Questions about the number of districts, their headquarters, the divisions they belong to, and the newest districts are very common.

4.2. For Administrative and Governance Understanding

The division of the state into districts is the framework on which all governance rests. Knowing the districts helps in understanding:

• Law and Order: Police administration is structured around districts (SP for each district).

• Development Schemes: The implementation of government welfare schemes is monitored at the district level.

• Election Demarcation: Parliamentary and Legislative Assembly constituencies are carved out within districts.

For an in-depth look at how local governance functions in India, the official website of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj provides excellent resources. [External Link 2: https://panchayat.gov.in/]

4.3. For Tourism and Cultural Exploration

A traveler exploring UP will have a completely different experience in the pilgrimage-centric districts of Ayodhya and Varanasi compared to the wildlife-rich districts of Lakhimpur Kheri (Dudhwa) or the historical forts of Jhansi. Knowing the districts helps in planning a nuanced and rich travel itinerary.

4.4. For Business and Economic Analysis

Businesses looking to invest in UP analyze markets district by district. The economic profile of Gautam Buddha Nagar (IT) is vastly different from that of Sonbhadra (power and minerals) or Muzaffarnagar (sugar). This granular understanding is vital for strategic planning.

For reliable economic and demographic data on each district, one can refer to the Census of India website, which is the ultimate source of such information. [External Link 3: https://censusindia.gov.in/]

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Section 5: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Jila in UP

Q1: Uttar Pradesh mein kul kitne jile hain 2024? (Total districts in UP in 2024?)
A: As of 2024, the total number of districts in Uttar Pradesh remains 75. There have been no official notifications for the creation of any new district.

Q2: Uttar Pradesh ka sabse naya jila kaun sa hai? (Which is the newest district of UP?)
A: The last district to be officially formed was Prabuddhanagar in 1997. However, Hapur was declared a district in 2011, making it one of the more recent additions.

Q3: Uttar Pradesh ka sabse bada aur chota jila kaun sa hai? (Which is the largest and smallest district in UP?)
A:

• Largest District by Area: Lakhimpur Kheri (7,680 sq km)

• Smallest District by Area: Kasganj (1,955 sq km)

• Largest District by Population: Prayagraj (As per 2011 Census, but likely surpassed by others since)

• Most Populous (Estimated): Lucknow or Gautam Buddha Nagar due to rapid urbanization.

Q4: Kya UP ke jilon ki sankhya badh sakti hai? (Can the number of districts in UP increase?)
A: Yes, absolutely. The state government has the power to create new districts through an official notification. There are active demands and proposals for new districts like Mathura-Vrindavan, Muzaffarnagar, and Deoband. The count of 75 is not final and is subject to change based on future administrative decisions.

Q5: Uttar Pradesh mein kitne mandal hain? (How many divisions are in UP?)
A: Uttar Pradesh is divided into 18 administrative divisions, which are clusters of districts.

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Conclusion: The 75 Pillars of Uttar Pradesh

The 75 Jila in UP are not just lines on a map. They are 75 unique cultural, historical, and economic entities that together form the magnificent mosaic that is Uttar Pradesh. From the snowy peaks of the Himalayas in the north to the arid plains of Bundelkhand in the south, each district contributes to the state’s identity.

Knowing their number, names, and characteristics is the first step towards truly appreciating the scale and diversity of this incredible state. Whether you are a student, a traveler, a businessperson, or a proud resident, we hope this ultimate guide serves as your definitive resource for everything related to the districts of Uttar Pradesh.

So, the next time someone asks you, “Uttar Pradesh mein kitne jile hain?” you can confidently say “Pachhattar” (75) and enlighten them with the rich story behind that number.