The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is a coalition of center-left political parties in India, formed in 2004. It was led by the Indian National Congress (INC) and aimed to promote social justice, economic development, and inclusive growth. The UPA was in power for two consecutive terms until 2014, implementing various welfare schemes and policies. The UPA emerged as a response to the need for a stable government after the 2004 general elections. It brought together several regional and national parties, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), to create a unified front against opposition parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).