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Question 44 of 54 · Indian States & Union Territories
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The 'United Provinces of Agra and Oudh' was renamed simply the 'United Provinces' under the Government of India Act, 1935, with effect from:

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Answer: Option B — 1 April 1937

Detailed Solution

The province was renamed the "United Provinces" on 1 April 1937, when provincial autonomy under the Government of India Act, 1935 came into force.

History of the name of Uttar Pradesh:

  • In 1836, the British created the "North-Western Provinces" with Agra as the capital.
  • In 1877, the North-Western Provinces and the Kingdom of Oudh (Awadh), which had been annexed in 1856, were placed under one administration.
  • In 1902, the region was renamed the "United Provinces of Agra and Oudh".
  • On 1 April 1937, under the Government of India Act, 1935, it was renamed the "United Provinces" (U.P.).

After independence, on 24 January 1950, it was renamed "Uttar Pradesh", keeping the same initials "U.P.". This day is celebrated as "Uttar Pradesh Diwas" (UP Foundation Day) since 2018.

The capital was moved from Allahabad (Prayagraj) to Lucknow in the 1920s.

Govind Ballabh Pant became the first Premier of the United Provinces in 1937 and the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh after independence.

About provincial autonomy under the Government of India Act, 1935:

  • It came into effect on 1 April 1937.
  • It ended dyarchy in the provinces and gave elected ministers control of all provincial subjects.
  • In the elections of 1937, the Indian National Congress formed governments in many provinces, including the United Provinces.
  • The Congress ministries resigned in 1939, after Britain declared India a party to the Second World War without consulting Indian leaders.

Other facts about Uttar Pradesh:

  • It is the most populous state of India.
  • It has the largest number of Lok Sabha seats (80) and Rajya Sabha seats (31).
  • It has 75 districts, the most of any state.
  • Uttarakhand was carved out of it on 9 November 2000.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗24 January 1950 is when the United Provinces was renamed Uttar Pradesh.
  • ✗1 November 1956 is when several states were reorganised.
  • ✗26 January 1950 is when the Constitution came into force.

Quick tip

Remember: UP name history: North-Western Provinces (1836) -> United Provinces of Agra and Oudh (1902) -> United Provinces (1 April 1937) -> Uttar Pradesh (24 January 1950, UP Diwas); first CM = G. B. Pant.

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Indian States & Union Territories — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Indian States & Union Territories, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers state-wise GK for India: capitals, formation dates, high courts, state animals, birds and flowers, famous places, and the culture, dances and festivals that identify each state and union territory. Questions commonly ask about the newest state or union territory, the state formed on a particular date, the capitals of states, and which high court serves more than one state. Keep a single table per state with its capital, formation year and key facts. Reorganisations such as that of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 change the answers, so make sure your notes are up to date. Practise the Indian states and union territories questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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