Which Indian state won the Best Tourism State national award in 2017 for overall tourism development and promotion?

Introduction / Context:
India annually recognises outstanding performance in tourism through national tourism awards. These awards highlight states that have made special efforts in infrastructure, marketing, heritage conservation, and tourism services. In 2017, Madhya Pradesh was honoured as the Best Tourism State, and this recognition appears frequently in current affairs and general knowledge questions. Knowing which state receives such awards helps candidates follow national development trends and policy focus areas.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which state received the Best Tourism State national award in 2017.
• Options are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh.
• The focus is on a specific year, 2017, and a national level tourism award.
• No calculations are needed; this is a news based factual recall question.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this, recall that Madhya Pradesh has consistently improved its tourism offerings, including wildlife parks, heritage sites, and religious circuits. The Ministry of Tourism recognised these efforts and named Madhya Pradesh the Best Tourism State for 2017. Exam candidates should maintain a list of such awards by year, especially for tourism, cleanliness, smart city rankings, and related categories. Matching the year and award category with the correct state is the key approach here.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that the award mentioned is Best Tourism State for the year 2017. Step 2: Recall that Madhya Pradesh gained national attention for its tourism initiatives and was declared Best Tourism State that year. Step 3: Review the options: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh. Step 4: Compare your memory of the award with the options and identify Madhya Pradesh. Step 5: Select Madhya Pradesh as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
For verification, think about how tourism in Madhya Pradesh is marketed under the slogan that emphasises its heart of India identity. The state has attractions like Khajuraho, Sanchi, national parks like Kanha and Bandhavgarh, and various heritage sites. These sustained efforts often placed it at the top of tourism award lists. While other states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are also strong tourism destinations, they did not receive this particular title in 2017, which supports Madhya Pradesh as the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maharashtra: A major tourism state but not the recipient of the Best Tourism State national award in 2017. Karnataka: Known for heritage and technology, yet it did not win this specific tourism award for that year. Tamil Nadu: A very popular tourism destination but not the state honoured as Best Tourism State in 2017. Madhya Pradesh: Correct answer, recognised for its comprehensive tourism development as Best Tourism State 2017.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may guess based on personal travel experience or assume a coastal state like Tamil Nadu or Maharashtra must have won. Another error is confusing different years and awards, since various states are recognised over time for different categories. To avoid such confusion, aspirants should maintain chronological notes of major awards and revise them periodically. Paying attention to the exact year and category will ensure accurate answers in such current affairs questions.

Final Answer:
Madhya Pradesh won the Best Tourism State national award in 2017.