Pratapgarh district, a part of Allahabad division is a district of Uttar Pradesh state with its administrative headquarters located at Pratapgarh town. The district got its name from the headquarter town Bela Pratapgarh popularly known as Pratapgarh and the term Bela is taken from the temple of Bela Bhawani on the bank of Sai River. Once upon a time there was a raja called Pratap Singh, (1628-1682) who made the headquarters of his territory at Rampur near an old town of Aror. He constructed a garh (fort) at his territory and named it after his name i.e. Pratapgarh. With the passage of time the whole area around the fort came to be known as Pratapgarh. During the excavation at Sarai Nahar in Kunda Tehsil, several human skeletons along with some animal bones and also a number of a small stones implements, belong to the Neolithic period most probably were found. It is the single site in the whole Ganga valley which has yielded human skeleton of such an early age. On the left bank of Sai river there was a ruined "Kot" which represents a Buddhist Stupa. In the year 1858 it was emerged as a separate district in the map of Uttar Pradesh. The history of Pratapgarh district is not very clear.

Ravi kant Sri Krishna Tripathi, an eminent Indian playback singer was born on 4th February, 1978 at Lalganj in the Pratapgarh district. In the 16th Asian Games 2010 Countdown show held at Guangzhou in China, he represented India and performed with Hollywood star Jackie Chan. He was honoured by the prestigious Awadh Ratna Samman in 2010.

Geographically, the district lies at 25°89'N latitude, 81°93'E longitude and 137 m altitude. In the year 2023, there was a total 3.34% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 3,717 sq kms. and in terms of geographical area it occupies the ranks of 29th in the state and 325th in India. It is bounded by Raebareli district, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar district and Sultanpur district on the north, Allahabad district on the south, Jaunpur district on the east and Fatehpur district and Kaushambi district on the west. The prominent rivers that flows through the district are Sai and Ganga. The climate of the district remains extremely hot during the summer. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 910.4 mm in the year of 2024-25.

Administration wise, the district is divided in to 5 tehsils namely Raniganj, Kunda, Lalganj, Patti and Sadar. There are 1 Lok Sabha seat and 5 Assembly constituencies in the district. Moreover, the district comprises 5 sub-districts, 9 towns and 2,217 villages. The administrative language in the district is Hindi.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 32,09,141 out of which 16,06,085 are males and 16,03,056 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 998 females for every 1000 males. Furthermore, the district has projected population of 39,13,515 comprising 19,61,464 males and 19,52,051 females for the year 2026. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the district has an estimated sex ratio of 1,229 females and a child sex ratio of 1,003 females per 1,000 males. During the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 17.50% including 17.84% were males and 17.16% were females. The population density in the district is 863 persons per sq. km. In the year 2023 the number of live births in the district was 58,689 out of which 31,358 were males and 27,331 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 20,146 out of which 13,123 were males and 7,023 were females. As per 2011 census the major religion is Hindu with 85.11% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Hindi with 96.82%.

The economy of the district is solely dependent on agriculture. Most of the lands in the district are used for agricultural purposes. Some of its chief agricultural products are wheat, rice, barley, jowar, gram, peas, etc. The adoption of the new agricultural technologies amongst the famers of the district helps to increase the production of various agricultural items. More than half of the population in the district are engaged in agriculture since it is scantily industrialized. Only a few industries of automobile and agro are available in the district. In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj declared Pratapgarh as one of the country's 250 most backward districts that is currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF). In the year 2023-2024 the Gross Domestic Product in the district was Rs. 19,33,072 lakh at current price and Rs. 10,44,343 lakh at constant 2011-2012 prices. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2023-2024 was Rs. 16,59,188 lakh at current price and Rs. 8,71,082 lakh at constant 2011-2012 prices. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2023-2024 was Rs. 44,544 at current price and Rs. 23,386 at constant 2011-2012 prices.

The district is an abode of numerous reputed educational institutions. It provides platform for higher education. Some of its recognised educational institutions are Hemwait Nandan Bahuguna Post Graduate Degree College, Mdpg College, P B College, Shiv Pati Devi Yamuna Prasad Mishra Balika Inter College, Govt Polytechnic, Dev Narayan Inter College, G. V. Inter College, S.B.P. Inter College, Shivram Intermediate College, Government Girls Inter College, M.P.S Intermediate College, R.S.B. Inter College, etc. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 70.09% including 81.88% are males and 58.45% are females. In addition, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the period July 2023-June 2024 estimated literacy rate in the district is 79.91% including 87.43% are males and 72.41% are females (Age 7 Years and Above).

Pramod Tiwari, an illustrious Indian politician and a Member of the Legislative Assembly for nine times from Rampur Khas assembly constituency was born on 16th July, 1951 in the Pratapgarh district. His name has been mention in Guinness World Record for winning continuously from the year 1980 without losing till date. He is a member of Indian National Congress political party. Akshay Pratap Singh, a distinguished Indian politician and a member of 14th Lok Sabha from Pratapgarh Lok Sabha constituency was born on 14th April, 1970 at Pratapgarh town.  He is a member of Samajwadi Party.

During the year 2023, there were 13,50,592 domestic tourists and 326 foreign tourists who visited these places of the district. The district has numerous centres of attraction with historical and religious significance which allures many travellers from different parts of the country as well as world. The principal places of interest in the district are Sai River, Baba Bhayaharan Nath Dham, Bela Bhawani Temple, Patalpuri Temple, Nagvasuki Temple, Ghusmeshwar Nath Dham, Kot Buddhist Monastery, etc.