For an Indian vehicle number plate, the code “MA” is generally used as an abbreviation for the state of Maharashtra in informal or short-form contexts, so an “MA” number plate would be understood as Maharashtra.

On official Indian registration plates, however, the standardized state code for Maharashtra is “MH” , not “MA”. The first two letters on a standard Indian number plate always represent the state or union territory where the vehicle is registered, for example: DL for Delhi, KA for Karnataka, MH for Maharashtra, CG for Chhattisgarh, etc. So:

  • If you are seeing “MA” in a general abbreviation list or document: it refers to Maharashtra.
  • If you are looking at an actual, legal vehicle number plate in India : the correct state code printed on it for Maharashtra will be “MH” , not “MA”.