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Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India and home to many vibrant cities. The top cities in Uttar Pradesh include Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, and Ghaziabad.
Lucknow, the capital city, is known for its rich history, beautiful monuments, and delicious cuisine. The estimated population of Lucknow is around 3.4 million. Kanpur, an industrial city, is famous for its leather and textile industries. The estimated population of Kanpur is around 2.8 million.
Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, is known for its ancient temples, ghats, and cultural heritage. The estimated population of Varanasi is around 1.6 million. Agra, famous for the Taj Mahal, is a popular tourist destination with an estimated population of around 1.6 million. Ghaziabad, a rapidly growing city, is known for its commercial and industrial development. The estimated population of Ghaziabad is around 2.6 million.
also read about the Population of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh Cities by Population
| # | City | City Population | Metropolitan Population |
| 1 | Lucknow | 2,817,105 | 2,901,474 |
| 2 | Kanpur | 2,765,348 | 2,920,067 |
| 3 | Ghaziabad | 1,648,643 | 2,358,525 |
| 4 | Agra | 1,585,704 | 1,746,467 |
| 5 | Meerut | 1,305,429 | 1,424,908 |
| 6 | Varanasi | 1,198,491 | 1,435,113 |
| 7 | Allahabad | 1,112,544 | 1,216,719 |
| 8 | Bareilly | 903,668 | 979,933 |
| 9 | Moradabad | 887,871 | 887,871 |
| 10 | Aligarh | 874,408 | 909,559 |
| 11 | Saharanpur | 705,478 | 705,478 |
| 12 | Gorakhpur | 673,446 | 692,519 |
| 13 | Noida | 637,272 | 637,272 |
| 14 | Firozabad | 604,214 | 604,214 |
| 15 | Loni | 516,082 | 516,082 |
| 16 | Jhansi | 505,693 | 549,391 |
| 17 | Muzaffarnagar | 392,768 | 494,792 |
| 18 | Mathura | 349,909 | 454,937 |
| 19 | Shahjahanpur | 329,736 | 346,103 |
| 20 | Rampur | 325,313 | 349,062 |
| 21 | Maunath Bhanjan | 278,745 | 278,745 |
| 22 | Farrukhabad and Fatehgarh | 276,581 | 290,540 |
| 23 | Hapur | 262,983 | 262,983 |
| 24 | Etawah | 256,838 | 256,838 |
| 25 | Mirzapur and Vindhyachal | 234,871 | 245,817 |
| 26 | Bulandshahr | 222,519 | 235,310 |
| 27 | Sambhal | 220,813 | 220,813 |
| 28 | Amroha | 198,471 | 198,471 |
| 29 | Fatehpur | 193,193 | 193,193 |
| 30 | Rae Bareli | 191,316 | 191,316 |
| 31 | Khora | 190,005 | 190,005 |
| 32 | Orai | 187,137 | 190,625 |
| 33 | Bahraich | 186,223 | 186,223 |
| 34 | Jaunpur | 180,362 | 180,362 |
| 35 | Unnao | 177,658 | 177,658 |
| 36 | Sitapur | 177,234 | 188,230 |
| 37 | Faizabad | 165,228 | 259,160 |
| 38 | Budaun | 159,285 | 159,285 |
| 39 | Banda | 154,428 | 160,432 |
| 40 | Lakhimpur | 151,993 | 164,925 |
| 41 | Hathras | 135,594 | 161,289 |
| 42 | Lalitpur | 133,305 | 133,305 |
| 43 | Modinagar | 130,325 | 182,811 |
| 44 | Deoria | 129,479 | 129,479 |
| 45 | Pilibhit | 127,988 | 160,146 |
| 46 | Hardoi | 126,851 | 197,046 |
| 47 | Mainpuri | 120,400 | 133,078 |
| 48 | Etah | 118,517 | 131,023 |
| 49 | Basti | 114,657 | 114,657 |
| 50 | Chandausi | 114,383 | 114,383 |
| 51 | Gonda | 114,046 | 138,929 |
| 52 | Akbarpur | 111,447 | 111,447 |
| 53 | Khurja | 111,062 | 142,636 |
| 54 | Azamgarh | 110,983 | 116,165 |
| 55 | Ghazipur | 110,587 | 121,136 |
| 56 | Mughalsarai | 109,650 | 154,692 |
| 57 | Kanpur Cantonment | 108,534 | 108,534 |
| 58 | Sultanpur | 107,640 | 116,211 |
| 59 | Shikohabad | 107,404 | 107,404 |
| 60 | Shamli | 107,266 | 107,266 |
| 61 | Ballia | 104,424 | 111,287 |
| 62 | Baraut | 103,764 | 103,764 |
| 63 | Greater Noida | 102,054 | 102,054 |
| 64 | Kasganj | 101,277 | 101,277 |
Source: Census 2011
Largest Urban Centers in Uttar Pradesh
Some cities in Uttar Pradesh have become major economic and administrative hubs.
Major Metro & Tier-1 Cities
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Lucknow – Capital city and major administrative center
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Kanpur – Industrial hub of Uttar Pradesh
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Ghaziabad – Part of the Delhi NCR region
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Agra – Global tourism city known for the Taj Mahal
Fast Growing Cities
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Noida – IT and corporate hub in NCR
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Meerut – Major commercial center in western UP
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Varanasi – Cultural and religious capital of India
Industrial Cities
Manufacturing and trade drive population growth in cities such as:
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Kanpur – leather and textile industries
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Firozabad – glass and bangle manufacturing
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Moradabad – brass handicrafts
- Noida – Small Scale Industries and Mobile & IT hub.
Religious and Cultural Cities
Several cities attract millions of pilgrims and tourists each year.
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Varanasi – The spiritual capital of India, one of the oldest living cities in the world
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Mathura and Vrindavan: Twin cities deeply associated with Lord Krishna’s childhood, renowned for temples and vibrant Holi celebrations.
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Ayodhya – Revered as the birthplace of Lord Ram, it is a significant pilgrimage site featuring the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
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Agra – home of the Taj Mahal
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Lucknow: The state capital, known for its refined Nawabi culture, delectable Awadhi cuisine, and historical monuments like Bara Imambara.
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Prayagraj (Allahabad): Famed for the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, and the Kumbh Mela.
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Sarnath: A major Buddhist site where Buddha preached his first sermon, located near Varanasi.
Population Growth Trends in Uttar Pradesh Cities
Urbanization in Uttar Pradesh has accelerated significantly over the past two decades. Several factors have contributed to this population growth:
1. Industrial development
Cities like Kanpur and Firozabad have large manufacturing sectors.
2. NCR expansion
Cities near Delhi such as Ghaziabad and Noida have seen rapid population growth.
3. Tourism and religious significance
Cities like Varanasi, Ayodhya. Agra and Mathura attract millions of visitors each year.
4. Infrastructure development
Improved transport and economic opportunities have led to increased migration to urban centers.
FAQs – Cities Population in Uttar Pradesh
Which is the most populated city in Uttar Pradesh?
Lucknow is currently the most populated city in Uttar Pradesh, with an estimated population of around 40 lakh in 2026.
Which city is the industrial hub of Uttar Pradesh?
Kanpur is widely considered the industrial hub of Uttar Pradesh, known for its leather, textile, and manufacturing industries.
Which cities in Uttar Pradesh are part of NCR?
Cities such as Ghaziabad, Noida, and Meerut fall within the National Capital Region.
Which city in Uttar Pradesh is famous for tourism?
Agra is the most famous tourist city due to the presence of the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
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