The most populous state in India is Uttar Pradesh, with a population size of approximately 223 million, as of 2021. It accounts for about 16.5% of India’s total population. Uttar Pradesh is the largest Indian state by both area and population, and it is the fourth-most populous country subdivision in the world. The capital of Uttar Pradesh is Lucknow, while the major urban centres include Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi and Agra. The state has many cultural, economic and educational centres that make it one of the most influential states in India. It is considered an important gateway to South Asia and is home to a variety of religions, languages and cultures.