Noida is the acronym for New Okhla Industrial Development Area that is under the management of New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (also NOIDA). Noida came into existence on 17 April 1976 and celebrates 17 April as "Noida Day". Sanjay Gandhi set it up as part of an urbanisation thrust during the controversial Emergency period (1975-1977). The city located in Gautam Buddha Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh state and was created under the UP Industrial Area Development Act. It has first-class amenities and is considered to be one of the more modern suburbs of Delhi in the National Capital Region. It is also home to the Noida Film City.

The land within the Noida city limits was initially under the Ghaziabad district . Later still, Noida was made into a separate administrative zone as a separate district by Chief Minister, Ms Mayawati. This decision of the Mayawati government came under review from the next government of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who reversed it in 2003, and remerged Noida with Ghaziabad. After a period of some 9 months, the decision was reversed yet again in 2004 and the city was once again made into a separate district. There were some allegations of political favours through low-priced land deals due to these decisions. Presently, the city is a separate district, called Gautam Budh Nagar, with its administrative HQ at SurajPur, a nearby town. However, the highest government official, the District Magistrate (DM) stays in Noida. The city falls under the Noida-Dadri legislative assembly seat (Vidhan Sabha) and Khurja Parliamentary seat (Lok Sabha).

Noida is situated towards the north of India close to Delhi. it is bound on the west and south-west by the river Yamuna, on the north and north-west by Delhi, on the north-east by Delhi and Ghaziabad and on the north-east, east and south-east by the river Hindon. Noida falls under the catchment area of the Yamuna river and is based on the old river bed. The soil is mainly rich and loamy soil [1]and is suitable for growing seasonal vegetables, grains like wheat and cash crops like sugarcane. With the advent of urbanisation, vegetables and fruits are now the main crops.[citation needed]. The area has dry deciduous tress like Sal, Sheesham and Teak.

Picture shows the Sector-18 junction with SabMall in the background. Spice Mall Entrance, NoidaLately NOIDA has become a hub for multinational firms outsourcing IT services. Many large Software and BPO companies have their offices in the city. Many other companies have their Indian branch offices in Noida, because of the Special Economic Zone, the suburban atmosphere in NOIDA and its proximity to Delhi. NOIDA also has the head office of the Software Technologies Park, in Ganga Shopping Complex, Sector 29. In industries, the music company T-Series is based in NOIDA. NOIDA is fast emerging as a hub for automobile ancillary units, with companies like Daewoo, Escorts, Honda-SIEL and New Holland Tractors (JV of FIAT with Ford), opening up shop in the city. Of these Daewoo is currently closed. Major manufacturing and other companies like ISGEC, LG, Samsung also have their corporates in the city.

There is more to NOIDA than just industries. Film city, situated in Sector 16A is the hub of all the major news channels and famous studios. News channels such as Zee News, NDTV, TV Today group, IBN, CNBC and many more are situated here. NOIDA's proximity to Delhi, which is the political hub of the country, makes it an attractive destination for news channels. Commercial activities have also risen in the past couple of years due to a sudden spurt in malls and multiplexes. Noida also has a number of prominent shopping malls such as the Great India Place - Sector 38 (opp. Sector-18), the Centre Stage Mall (Sector 18), the Sabb Mall (Sector 27), the Spice World Mall (Sector 25) that have become visitor attractions.