After India 's independence , the United Provinces were renamed " Uttar Pradesh " ( " northern province " ) , preserving UP as the acronym , notification regarding this was done in union gazette on 24 January 1950 . The state has provided nine of India 's prime ministers , including current Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is MP from Varanasi , which is more than any other state and is the source of the largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha . Despite its political influence since ancient times , its poor record in economic development and administration , poor governance , organised crime and corruption have kept it amongst India 's backward states . The state has been affected by repeated episodes of caste and communal violence . In Ayodhya in December 1992 the disputed Babri Mosque was demolished by radical Hindu activists , leading to widespread violence across India . In 2000 , northern districts of the state were separated to form the state of Uttarakhand
Babri Mosque was demolished by radical Hindu activists
Demolition of the Babri Masjid
Uttar Pradesh