Uttar Pradesh Renames Bhadohi as Sant Ravidas Nagar: Key Facts and Name History

Uttar Pradesh renamed Bhadohi district as Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi on 4 October 2026, according to a GKToday report published on 5 October 2026. The event date is 4 October and the report date is 5 October. The change is reported as already done as of 5 October 2026. For exam preparation, it matters as a state-level administrative change that also links to Bhakti-tradition history and Uttar Pradesh's district geography.

What happened and when

• Event date: 4 October 2026, as reported.
• Source publication date: 5 October 2026.
• New name: the GKToday report body gives "Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi", although its headline says "Sant Ravidas Nagar".
• Same-day event: on 4 October 2026 the Chief Minister reportedly inaugurated projects and laid foundation stones for 112 development projects worth over ₹1,340 crore in Bhadohi. The report says the renaming announcement was made in the same district.

Why the change matters for exam learners

District renaming is an administrative act by a state government, usually done through an official notification. Uttar Pradesh has changed district names several times under different governments. Bhadohi is a clear example because its name has moved back and forth over nearly three decades.

Name history of Bhadohi district

A second source, Wikipedia, also says the Mayawati government changed the name to Sant Ravidas Nagar. It adds that the Akhilesh Yadav government resolved on 6 December 2014 to change it back to Bhadohi. It gives no date for the first rename, so the 1997 and 1999 dates here rest on GKToday alone.

Background: Bhadohi and Sant Ravidas

The district

Bhadohi was created on 30 June 1994 by carving out part of Varanasi district. It lies in Uttar Pradesh's Purvanchal region and is bordered by Jaunpur, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Prayagraj districts. Wikipedia describes it as the state's smallest district by area, but its area figures conflict (1,015 km² in one place, 1,055.99 km² in another). Check the exact figure before using it.

The carpet connection

Bhadohi is widely known as a carpet-weaving centre, and Wikipedia gives it the nickname "Carpet City of India". Wikipedia says the region's carpets received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2010, as "handmade carpet of Bhadohi". The tag covers carpets made across nine districts, not Bhadohi alone.

Sant Ravidas

Sant Ravidas, also called Ravidas or Raidas, was a medieval saint associated with the Bhakti tradition. Wikipedia describes him as one of the twelve pupils of Saint Ramananda and the founder of the Raidasi Sampradaya. The district's earlier names drew on his name.

Quick revision points

• Bhadohi became the 65th district of Uttar Pradesh on 30 June 1994, carved out of Varanasi.
• The name Sant Ravidas Nagar was first used for the district in December 1997.
• Bhadohi is widely known for its carpet industry.
• District renaming is done by the state government through official notification.

These points come from the supplied sources. Nothing in them indicates that any exam will ask about this change.

What the evidence does not confirm

• No official notification, government order or gazette text was supplied, so the notification date and legal wording are unverified here.
• The GKToday headline and body use slightly different names, so the exact official name should be checked against a government source.
• The source does not name the Chief Minister or explain the reason given for the renaming.
• It does not say whether other records, such as the district website or the Lok Sabha constituency name, have been updated.

FAQ

When was Bhadohi renamed?

The renaming is reported to have taken place on 4 October 2026. GKToday published its report on 5 October 2026.

What is the new name?

The GKToday report body gives "Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi". Its headline shortens this to "Sant Ravidas Nagar".

Has the district had this name before?

Yes. According to GKToday, the district was named Sant Ravidas Nagar in December 1997, Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi in November 1999, and Bhadohi again in December 2014.