Carved out of the northwestern mountain region of Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000 following decades of peaceful grassroots public agitation, Uttarakhand became the 27th State of the Republic of India. Initially christened as Uttaranchal, the state parliament officially renamed it to Uttarakhand on 1 January 2007, honoring the historical identity of the region.
From its high literacy rates surpassing the national average to its pioneering contributions to India's clean renewable hydropower and eco-tourism, Uttarakhand is a progressive state anchored in deep spiritual reverence. Below is the comprehensive, official factsheet covering all vital dimensions of the state.
1. Vital Statistics & Administrative Factsheet
| Indicator / Parameter | Official Statistic / Data | Notes & Authorities |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Statehood | 9 November 2000 | 27th State of India (UP Reorganisation Act) |
| State Capital | Dehradun (Winter) / Gairsain (Summer) | Gairsain notified summer capital in June 2020 |
| High Court Jurisdiction | Nainital | High Court of Uttarakhand established 2000 |
| Total Geographical Area | 53,483 km² (20,650 sq mi) | Ranked 19th largest state in India by area |
| Total Population | 10,086,292 (1.01 Crore) | 2011 Census of India (Rank 20th) |
| Population Density | 189 persons per km² | National average: 382 per km² |
| Sex Ratio | 963 females per 1,000 males | Rural: 1,000 | Urban: 884 |
| Literacy Rate | 78.82% Total | Male: 87.40% | Female: 70.01% |
| Administrative Divisions | 2 (Garhwal & Kumaon) | Garhwal: 7 Districts | Kumaon: 6 Districts |
| Total Districts | 13 Districts | Largest: Chamoli (8,030 km²) | Smallest: Champawat |
| Legislative Assembly | 70 Elected Members (Unicameral) | Vidhan Sabha located in Dehradun & Gairsain |
| Parliamentary Representation | 5 Lok Sabha & 3 Rajya Sabha Seats | 8 Total Parliamentary Seats |
| Official Languages | Hindi (1st), Sanskrit (2nd) | Sanskrit enacted 2nd official language in 2010 |
2. Economic Profile: Hydropower, Tourism & Agriculture
Uttarakhand is one of India's fastest-growing state economies, sustained by three primary growth engines:
- Hydropower Capital: Often called the Urja Pradesh (Energy State), Uttarakhand harnesses its torrential glacial rivers to generate clean green hydroelectric energy through engineering marvels like the Tehri Dam (2,400 MW complex – India's tallest dam).
- Pilgrimage & Adventure Tourism: Tourism contributes over 15% to the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Over 50 million pilgrims and international travelers visit annually for Char Dham Yatra, yoga retreats in Rishikesh, skiing in Auli, and Corbett tiger safaris.
- Organic Agriculture & Horticulture: Renowned for sweet mountain apples (Harsil, Ramgarh), plums, apricots, walnuts, organic Basmati rice, and nutrient-rich mountain millets (Mandua / Finger millet and Jhangora / Barnyard millet).
3. Fascinating Geographic & National Records
Beyond these world records, the state is home to Mana Village – celebrated as the "First Indian Village" on the Indo-Tibetan border – and Lakshman Jhula & Janki Setu suspension bridges crossing the sacred Ganga at Rishikesh.
Frequently Asked Questions: State Profile
The state was originally founded on 9 November 2000 as "Uttaranchal". Fulfilling a core demand of the statehood agitation movement, the Central and State Governments officially renamed it to "Uttarakhand" on 1 January 2007.
Chamoli is the largest district by geographical area (8,030 sq km), while Champawat is the smallest district (1,766 sq km).
According to the Census of India, Haridwar district is the most populous district (over 1.89 million residents), followed by Dehradun and Udham Singh Nagar.
Editorial Verification: Data cross-verified from the Census of India, the Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES Uttarakhand), and official gazettes of the Government of Uttarakhand.