Introduction
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India with a population of more than 200 million people. Uttar Pradesh shares its borders with Nepal on the north, the Indian states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh on the northwest, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan on the west, Madhya Pradesh on the south, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand on the southeast, and Bihar on the east.
As of the latest available data, Uttar Pradesh continues to lead India in food grain production. In FY24, the state produced over 60 million metric tons of cereals, lentils, and pulses, maintaining its position as the top contributor among Indian states.
In 2023, Uttar Pradesh's food grain production was reported at 57.51 million metric tons, showing a slight increase from 56.19 million metric tons in 2022. This upward trend underscores the state's consistent agricultural output.
Major food grains produced in Uttar Pradesh include wheat, rice, maize, millet (bajra), gram, pea, and lentils. The state contributes approximately 18.89% to India's total food grain production.
The state offers a wide range of subsidies, policy and fiscal incentives as well as assistance for businesses under the Industrial and Service Sector Investment Policy, 2004 and Infrastructure and Industrial Investment Policy, 2012. The state has well-drafted, sector-specific policies for IT and biotechnology.
The new Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Promotion Policy 2017 was brought to promote investment and trade in Uttar Pradesh and to promote tourism while increased road connectivity along with air connectivity will create more employment avenues.
Uttar Pradesh Tourism
Uttar Pradesh is a favoured tourist destination in India with Taj Mahal, one of the eight wonders of the world, located in Agra. The state witnessed rise in tourist arrivals, with 320 million tourists arriving in 2023, and is expected to grow further. The opening of the Ram temple in Jan 2024 significantly increases religious tourism in Uttar Pradesh. According to Jefferies, the Ram temple is projected to attract at least 100 million visitors annually. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh government is also established the UP-Ecotourism Development board. The key objective of the initiative is to promote the state's rich legacy of forests and wetlands to increase tourist footfall while creating jobs for those living around the natural heritage. In CY24, Uttar Pradesh has experienced a significant surge in tourist arrivals, with an increase of approximately 17 crore visitors compared to the previous year. According to the latest data released by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, the state welcomed a total of 64.9 crore tourists in CY24, a notable rise from 48.01 crore in CY23.
Economy of Uttar Pradesh
At current prices, the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Uttar Pradesh is estimated to be Rs. 30.80 trillion (US$ 359.56 billion) in FY26. The GSDP is expected to increase at a CAGR of 11.71% from FY19 to FY26.
The state’s per capita GSDP in FY24 was Rs. 1,07,468 (US$ 1,256.9). Per capita GSDP increased at a CAGR of 6.03% between FY17 and FY24.
As of February 2025, Uttar Pradesh had an installed power generation capacity of 33,658.05 MW. Of this, 9,228.80 MW was from state utilities, 15,257.91 MW (private utilities) and 9,171.94 MW (central
According to Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), cumulative FDI inflow in Uttar Pradesh stood at Rs. 16,627 crore (US$ 1,941 million) between April 2019-Dec 2024. The state ranked 10th in India in terms of FDI inflows.
Data Centre: Existing data centre policy of the state envisages setting up three data centre parks. This target will be revised to set up eight data centre parks across the state with a capacity of 900 MW.
The Mahakumbh 2025 was expected to generate trade worth approximately Rs. 2,00,000 crore (US$ 23.07 billion) in the region, as per the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). The month-long event attracted around 400 million visitors, significantly boosting local trade, tourism, and employment.
Industries in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of food grains in India and accounted for about 17.83% share in the country’s total food grain output in 2016-17. Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs. 19,150 crores (US$ 2.30 billion) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. According to the state government, as many as 1,500 projects worth more than Rs. 70,000 crore (US$ 9.03 billion) are planned to be launched in Uttar Pradesh’s third groundbreaking ceremony to be held in June 2022. Some of these major projects are:
- Adani Group’s project worth around Rs. 4,900 crore (US$ 631.86 million).
- Hiranandani Group’s two data centres in Noida with an investment of Rs. 9,100 crore (US$ 1.17 billion).
- Microsoft’s Rs. 2,100 crore (US$ 270.85 million) software development centre.
- Dalmia Group’s Rs. 600 crore (US$ 77.38 million) cement manufacturing plant in Mirzapur, Hamirpur.
Recent Developments in Key Sectors
- In October 2022, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari, announced new projects worth Rs. 7,000 crore (US$ 8.5 billion) for Uttar Pradesh.
- In October 2022, Chief Minister Mr. Yogi Adityanath said that from the following academic year, all colleges and institutions in Uttar Pradesh will offer medical and engineering programmes in Hindi.
- In the State Budget FY26:
- In the state budget FY26, the government intends to increase enrolment capacity of Atal Residential Schools from 360 to 1,000, providing free education to children of construction workers.
- Solar Energy: A 500 MW solar power project is planned to be established in Jalaun in collaboration with Coal India Limited, with an estimated cost of Rs. 2,500 crores (US$ 291 million). Additionally, a 200 MW solar project is also planned to be set up in Jhansi.
- Rs. 6,113 crore (US$ 716.6 million) has been allocated as capital outlay for urban development.
- Rs. 6,427 crore (US$ 753.5 million) has been designated for Urban Health Services (Western Medicine), while Rs. 5,191 crore (US$ 608.6 million) is allocated for Rural Health Services (Allopathy).
- Rs. 2,210 crore (US$ 259.1 million) is allocated towards animal and buffalo development.
- 41,336 food processing units will be established/upgraded in 2022 under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme.
- With the help of the state government's Food Processing Industries Policy 2017 (revised), the government has planned to set up 375 large food processing units in 2022.
- In May 2022, Amity University in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, signed an MoU with the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), with the aim to train the students in the field of tourism, travel, hospitality and aviation by different campuses of Amity University, through the implementation programmes under this MoU.
- Uttar Pradesh has now become home to the country’s first-ever ‘Amrit Sarovar’ which was inaugurated in Rampur district in May 2022. It is one of the 789 ponds which the Uttar Pradesh government will develop. Nearly Rs. 60 lakh (US$ 77,384.88) were spent in the creation of this water body.
FACTFILE
Capital
LucknowGeographical Area (sq km)
240,928State Language
Hindi, English and UrduLiteracy Rate
67.68 per centKey Industries:
Information technology
Agro processing
Mineral-based industries
Textiles
Food processing
Handloom and handicrafts
Sports goods
Tourism
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