Tropic of Cancer in India: the eight states to remember
The Tropic of Cancer crosses eight Indian states, a standard physical-geography fact useful for map-based competitive-exam questions.
The Tropic of Cancer, at about 23.5 degrees north latitude, crosses eight Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
The west-to-east sequence
Starting in western India, the line crosses Gujarat and Rajasthan, then Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, followed by Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. Learning the sequence from west to east is often easier than memorising a shuffled list.
The line is a latitude: it marks the northernmost latitude at which the Sun can appear directly overhead at local noon at some time of the year. It is not a border between states and does not determine a state’s entire climate.
How to use a map
Trace the line across an India map and label the states in order. A blank-map exercise is more reliable than memorising only the count, because exam questions may ask which state is included or which one lies farthest east or west along the line.
Be careful not to confuse the Tropic of Cancer with the Standard Meridian. One is a line of latitude running east–west; the other is a line of longitude used for standard time.
Quick exam check
The number is eight. The west-to-east list begins with Gujarat and ends with Mizoram. If a question includes Maharashtra or Odisha as one of the states crossed by the Tropic of Cancer, check the map rather than guessing from neighbouring states.
This is static geography GK; no new boundary or geographic change is being reported.
Editorial disclosure
This article was researched and published with AI assistance. No human prepublication review is claimed. Report factual errors through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How many Indian states does the Tropic of Cancer cross?
Eight.
Which state is at the eastern end of the usual west-to-east list?
Mizoram.