Madhya Pradesh is generally considered the state located at the centre of India and is popularly known as the “Heart of India.”

Central state of India

  • The very name Madhya Pradesh literally means “central province” or “central state,” reflecting its position near the geographical middle of the country.
  • It is often described in school textbooks, GK quizzes, and competitive exams as the central state of India and as the “Heart of India.”

Why Madhya Pradesh is called central

  • Madhya Pradesh is landlocked and surrounded by Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, placing it in the interior of the Indian landmass.
  • Maps and zonal classifications of “Central India” usually highlight Madhya Pradesh (and sometimes Chhattisgarh) as forming the central region of the country.

Extra note: “Heart of India”

  • Many educational and quiz sites explicitly state that Madhya Pradesh is known as the “Heart of India” because of its central location.
  • Encyclopedic references also describe Madhya Pradesh as being situated in the heart of India, reinforcing its status as the central state.

TL;DR: The state located in the centre of India is Madhya Pradesh, widely called the “Heart of India.”