According to the 2018 all India tiger estimation which Indian state recorded the highest number of tigers?

Introduction / Context:
India conducts periodic all India tiger estimation exercises to monitor the status of its tiger population in various states and reserves. These surveys receive wide publicity, and exam questions often ask which state recorded the highest number of tigers in a particular census year. The 2018 estimation was especially important because it showed a significant increase in tiger numbers in several regions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The question refers specifically to the 2018 tiger census or all India estimation. - We are asked which state recorded the highest number of tigers. - The options given are Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand. - We assume the standard official figures released for that period.

Concept / Approach:
In earlier tiger counts, Karnataka often held the top position in terms of tiger numbers. However, according to the 2018 estimation, Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of tigers among Indian states, slightly surpassing Karnataka. Because of this change, many current affairs notes specifically highlight that Madhya Pradesh regained or secured the top spot in 2018, making it the correct answer for questions on that census year.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that both Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka have historically been strong tiger states, with famous reserves like Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Nagarhole. Step 2: Remember reading that in the 2018 tiger census, Madhya Pradesh was reported as having the largest tiger population among the states. Step 3: Note that Karnataka, while still having a high tiger population, came slightly behind Madhya Pradesh in the ranking for that year. Step 4: Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand have important tiger habitats but do not rank at the very top in absolute numbers. Step 5: Therefore, mark Madhya Pradesh as the state with the highest number of tigers in 2018.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official press releases and environment ministry reports summarising the 2018 tiger estimation clearly state that Madhya Pradesh had the maximum number of tigers among all states, followed closely by Karnataka. Current affairs books and environment oriented GK guides convert this into a direct fact statement Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of tigers in 2018, which matches the wording of this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Karnataka had topped some earlier lists but, according to the 2018 figures, it was marginally behind Madhya Pradesh. Chhattisgarh has tigers but faces challenges related to habitat and conflict and does not have the largest population nationally. Uttarakhand contains important reserves like Corbett National Park but still has fewer tigers than Madhya Pradesh in the 2018 estimation.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to remember only that Karnataka had once been the top tiger state and to keep selecting it for all years without noting changes in later reports. Another pitfall is not paying attention to the specific census year mentioned in the question. To avoid such errors, it is helpful to remember the trend that Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka alternate near the top and to link the 2018 milestone specifically with Madhya Pradesh regaining the lead.

Final Answer:
In the 2018 all India tiger estimation, Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of tigers among Indian states.