Districts of Madhya Pradesh Complete List with Headquarters | Full Districts of MP Guide
Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India, is divided into 55 administrative units, and knowing the districts of Madhya Pradesh along with their headquarters is essential for students, travellers and competitive exam aspirants. This updated Madhya Pradesh districts list provides accurate information on all districts of MP and their administrative centres in a simple, easy to understand format. Whether you are preparing for exams or looking for reliable state information, this Madhya Pradesh district list with headquarters serves as a complete reference guide for understanding the state’s geography and governance structure.
Districts of Madhya Pradesh with headquarters and zone:
| District | Headquarters | Zone |
| Bhopal | Bhopal | Bhopal |
| Raisen | Raisen | |
| Rajgarh | Rajgarh | |
| Sehore | Sehore | |
| Vidisha | Vidisha | |
| Morena | Morena | Chambal |
| Bhind | Bhind | |
| Sheopur | Sheopur | |
| Gwalior | Gwalior | Gwalior |
| Ashoknagar | Ashoknagar | |
| Datia | Datia | |
| Guna | Guna | |
| Shivpuri | Shivpuri | |
| Indore | Indore | Indore |
| Alirajpur | Alirajpur | |
| Barwani | Barwani | |
| Burhanpur | Burhanpur | |
| Dhar | Dhar | |
| Jhabua | Jhabua | |
| Khandwa | Khandwa | |
| Khargone | Khargone | |
| Jabalpur | Jabalpur | Jabalpur |
| Balaghat | Balaghat | |
| Chhindwara | Chhindwara | |
| Dindori | Dindori | |
| Katni | Katni | |
| Mandla | Mandla | |
| Narsinghpur | Narsinghpur | |
| Pandhurna | Pandhurna | |
| Seoni | Seoni | |
| Narmadapuram | Narmadapuram | Narmadapuram |
| Betul | Betul | |
| Harda | Harda | |
| Rewa | Rewa | Rewa |
| Maihar | Maihar | |
| Mauganj | Mauganj | |
| Satna | Satna | |
| Sidhi | Sidhi | |
| Singrauli | Waidhan | |
| Sagar | Sagar | Sagar |
| Chhatarpur | Chhatarpur | |
| Damoh | Damoh | |
| Niwari | Niwari | |
| Panna | Panna | |
| Tikamgarh | Tikamgarh | |
| Shahdol | Shahdol | Shahdol |
| Anuppur | Anuppur | |
| Umaria | Umaria | |
| Ujjain | Ujjain | Ujjain |
| Agar Malwa | Agar Malwa | |
| Dewas | Dewas | |
| Mandsaur | Mandsaur | |
| Neemuch | Neemuch | |
| Ratlam | Ratlam | |
| Shajapur | Shajapur |
Districts of Madhya Pradesh: Zonal Division
The state of Madhya Pradesh is divided into 55 districts and 10 zones.
| District | Zone |
| Bhopal | Bhopal |
| Raisen | |
| Rajgarh | |
| Sehore | |
| Vidisha | |
| Morena | Chambal |
| Bhind | |
| Sheopur | |
| Gwalior | Gwalior |
| Ashoknagar | |
| Datia | |
| Guna | |
| Shivpuri | |
| Indore | Indore |
| Alirajpur | |
| Barwani | |
| Burhanpur | |
| Dhar | |
| Jhabua | |
| Khandwa | |
| Khargone | |
| Jabalpur | Jabalpur |
| Balaghat | |
| Chhindwara | |
| Dindori | |
| Katni | |
| Mandla | |
| Narsinghpur | |
| Pandhurna | |
| Seoni | |
| Narmadapuram | Narmadapuram |
| Betul | |
| Harda | |
| Rewa | Rewa |
| Maihar | |
| Mauganj | |
| Satna | |
| Sidhi | |
| Singrauli | |
| Sagar | Sagar |
| Chhatarpur | |
| Damoh | |
| Niwari | |
| Panna | |
| Tikamgarh | |
| Shahdol | Shahdol |
| Anuppur | |
| Umaria | |
| Ujjain | Ujjain |
| Agar Malwa | |
| Dewas | |
| Mandsaur | |
| Neemuch | |
| Ratlam | |
| Shajapur |
Districts of Madhya Pradesh PDF
Major Districts of Madhya Pradesh
1. Indore
The history of Indore is rooted in both history and commerce. Originally, Indore was a small settlement called Indrapur and was named after a local temple of Lord Indreshwar. It saw rapid growth in the eighteenth century when the Holkar dynasty of the Marathas made it their strategic centre. The region was transformed into a thriving commercial zone through the Holkars’ encouragement of trade routes, built administrative structures and supported agriculture. During the British era, Indore was a key centre for trade and developed a name in the textile industry which gradually expanded to the modern times as well.
Indore is the most populous district of Madhya Pradesh and is also the commercial capital of the state. It is also known as Mini Mumbai. Recently, it has become known for its cleanliness as it has been ranked India’s cleanest city for several consecutive years.
The food culture of Indore is well-developed as well. Sarafa and Chappan are famous for the variety of food they serve. It is also an educational hub and has institutes like IIM Indore and IIT Indore that attracts students from all across the country.
Industries in Indore include textiles, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, packaging and IT services. Tourist attractions such as Rajwada Palace, Patalpani Waterfall and Lal Bagh Palace make Indore a complete blend of heritage and modernity.
2. Jabalpur
The history of Jabalpur can be traced back to ancient times and early kingdoms. The region was a part of the Mahakaushal area ruled by the Kalachuri dynasty. It was then controlled by different regions before the British established it as one of their most strategic cantonments, it was developed as a military and administrative hub.
The history is also closely linked to the geography. The Narmada rivers flows through the marble rocks that have been naturally formed over the years. The marble cliffs and the Dhuandar Falls at Bhedaghat remain the biggest tourist attractions of the city.
It hosts the principal seat of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and is an important judicial centre. There are defence establishments in the city as well.
3. Gwalior
The Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh has one of the richest historical backgrounds in the country. The Gwalior Fort is one of the most important forts in Indian history. It has been a centre of power for multiple empires including the Tomars and the Scindias.
During the 18-19th century, Gwalior became an important princely state and a political centre under the rule of the Scindia dynasty. The Jai Vilas Palace built by the Scindias has grand architecture and is inspired by European architecture.
Tourism is supported by grand landmarks such as Jai Vilas Palace, Gujari Mahal Museum and the Sas Bahu Temples.
Gwalior’s cultural history is equally important. It is the birthplace of Tansen, one of the greatest musicians in Indian classical music. The annual Tansen Music Festival attracts thousands of tourists and keeps the tradition alive.
Read more: Top 100 MP GK Questions In English For Competitive Exams
4. Bhopal
Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh and is also known as the City of Lakes. The district’s modern history begins when Dost Mohammad khan, a soldier in the Mughal Army established the modern city of Bhopal.
Bhopal, in later decades, became one of the few states ruled by women rulers who were known as the Begums of Bhopal. The rulers included Qudsia Begum, Shah Jahan Begum and Sultan Jahan Begum. They were progressive rulers and their rule saw social reforms. Gauhar Mahal and Moti Masjid were constructed during this time. Moti Masjid is also known as the Pearl Mosque.
Tourist attractions include the Upper Lake, Tribal Museum, Bharat Bhavan, etc. The city of Bhopal also has lush greenery and natural beauty. The Van Vihar National Park is an example of the same.
5. Rewa
Rewa, a major district of MP, is known for the discovery of white tigers and its strong cultural links with the Baghel dynasty. It is also home to one of India’s largest solar power plants, making it an important renewable energy hub.
6. Chhatarpur
Chhatarpur is famous for the Khajuraho Temples built by the Chandela rulers. These UNESCO World Heritage monuments attract global tourists and make the district a major cultural hotspot.
7. Dhar
Dhar is known for its historical connection with the Paramara dynasty and for Mandu, a major tourist site celebrated for Afghan architecture and scenic hilltop views.
8. Ratlam
Ratlam is known for its jewellery markets, Ratlami sev and its long standing role as an important trade centre in western Madhya Pradesh.
9. Ujjain
Ujjain is one of the most important districts of Madhya Pradesh and is best known for the sacred Mahakal Temple, a major pilgrimage destination dedicated to Lord Shiva.
What each district of Madhya Pradesh is known for-
- Panna is famous for diamond mines.
- Indore is famous for food, textile trade and cleanliness.
- Gwalior is famous for classical music and the historic fort.
- Bhopal is famous for lakes and Nawabi history.
- Jabalpur is famous for marble rocks at Bhedaghat.
- Rewa is famous for white tigers.
- Khargone is famous for cotton production.
- Hoshangabad (Narmadapuram) is famous for wheat.
- Chhindwara is famous for oranges.
- Ratlam is famous for Ratlami sev and jewellery.
- Satna is famous for cement factories.
- Balaghat is famous for manganese.
- Jhabua is famous for tribal beadwork.
- Mandla is famous for forests and Narmada cultural sites.
Check out: 11 National Parks & 25 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh [PDF]
Trivia from the Districts of Madhya Pradesh
Which of the districts of Madhya Pradesh is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva?
a) Ujjain
b) Dewas
c) Mandla
d) Jhabua
Answer: a) Ujjain
In the districts of Madhya Pradesh, which one is famous worldwide for the Khajuraho Temples?
a) Tikamgarh
b) Chhatarpur
c) Bhind
d) Rewa
Answer: b) Chhatarpur
Among the culturally rich districts of Madhya Pradesh, which district hosts the prestigious Tansen Music Festival?
a) Morena
b) Gwalior
c) Damoh
d) Seoni
Answer: b) Gwalior
Which of the districts of Madhya Pradesh is known for Kanha National Park, a major tiger reserve?
a) Mandla
b) Alirajpur
c) Balaghat
d) Both a and c
Answer: d) Both a and c
In the historic districts of Madhya Pradesh, where can you find the world famous Sanchi Stupa?
a) Raisen
b) Khandwa
c) Shivpuri
d) Agar-Malwa
Answer: a) Raisen
Among the scenic districts of Madhya Pradesh, which district is home to the Marble Rocks and Dhuandhar Falls?
a) Jabalpur
b) Betul
c) Mandsaur
d) Rajgarh
Answer: a) Jabalpur
Which of the districts of Madhya Pradesh is known for its major cement production and limestone reserves?
a) Satna
b) Hoshangabad
c) Sheopur
d) Burhanpur
Answer: a) Satna
In the agricultural districts of Madhya Pradesh, which district is famous for high quality oranges?
a) Panna
b) Dhar
c) Rewa
d) Chhindwara
Answer: d) Chhindwara
Which of the districts of Madhya Pradesh is recognised for the discovery of the rare white tiger?
a) Ratlam
b) Rewa
c) Datia
d) Sehore
Answer: b) Rewa
Among the mineral rich districts of Madhya Pradesh, which one is noted for its manganese deposits and forest landscape?
a) Balaghat
b) Singrauli
c) Umaria
d) Guna
Answer: a) Balaghat
Conclusion:
Understanding the Districts of Madhya Pradesh is essential for anyone preparing for GK exams, competitive tests, or simply exploring the rich diversity of the state. Each district has its own cultural identity, historical significance, and economic importance, making Madhya Pradesh a uniquely vibrant region of India. From major urban centres like Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, and Jabalpur to resource-rich regions such as Panna, Balaghat, and Chhindwara, the state presents a complete blend of heritage and development. A clear grasp of the Districts of Madhya Pradesh not only strengthens general knowledge but also enhances awareness of the state’s geography, tourism potential, and administrative structure.
