Drainage system in Madhya Pradesh is divided into four major divisions including the rivers that are flowing towards the north, the rivers that are flowing towards the west, the rivers that are flowing towards the east, and the rivers, which are flowing towards the south-east direction. In the first group or division of drainage pattern of Madhya Pradesh, the rivers flow into the Yamuna River and the Ganga River. The rivers are Chambal River, Betwa River, Ken River, and Son River and their tributaries. The Narmada River, Tapti River and its tributaries flow towards the west and are fed into the Bay of Cambay. The eastern drainage system is the upper basin of the Mahanadi River and its tributary. Indravati River, the tributary of the Godavari River, flows towards the southwest.

Drainage pattern in the state of Madhya Pradesh is divided into several significant river systems including Narmada River, Tapti River, Chambal River, Betwa River, Kali Sindh River, Son River, etc. Narmada River originating from Amarkantak Hill, it flows towards west before entering the state of Gujarat and finally into Bay of Cambay near Bharuch in Gujarat. The total length of the river is about 1312 km. The river is considered as a holy river of India. It passes through several cascades, waterfalls, and gorges, during its course. The course of the river also covers the world famous Dhuandhar fall and Bhedaghat gorge near Jabalpur. The river flows through the many districts such as Mandla District, Jabalpur District, Narsinghpur District, Hoshangabad District, Khandwa District and Khargone District.

Tapti River originates from Multai town of Betul District in the south of Satpura Mountain Range. It is about 762 metres elevation from mean sea level forms a narrow valley and inlet into the Bay of Cambay in Gujarat. This river covers a small part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It flows parallel with Narmada. Chambal River originates near Mahu in Madhya Pradesh, at a height of 616 metres elevation from mean average sea level. In upstream, it flows towards the northwest via Bundi, Kota, and Dholpur and in the downstream, it turns towards the east and finally flows in to the Yamuna River, 38 km away from Etawah. The length is about 965 km. Many ideal sites are available on the course of the river for installing dams and generating electricity.

Betwa River covers Vidisha District, Bhojpur and Jhansi and finally flows into the Yamuna near Hamirpur in Uttar Pradesh. Son River, originating from the northeast facing slope of the Amarkantak Hill, flows towards northeast before merging with the Ganges near Patna. It is around 780 km long. Kali Sindh River originates from Tonk district of Rajasthan; it flows through part of Madhya Pradesh and inlet into the Yamuna in the northern side of Jaganpur. The length of the river is about 416. It makes the natural boundary between Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh and Patan Jhhalawad district of Rajasthan. In Rajasthan and western part of Madhya Pradesh it plays an important role in terms of supplying water both for irrigation and drinking mostly in the dry regions.

Drainage system of Madhya Pradesh also comprises the Sindh River, which is one of the tributaries of the Yamuna River. Originated in Vidisha district it flows through Vidisha, Guna, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind districts of the state and enters the state of Uttar Pradesh near Etawah where it inlet into the Yamuna. The river has many ideal sites for constructing hydropower projects. Shipra River is considered as one of the holiest rivers of the country. Shipra River is famous for Maha Kumbh Mela, which occurs every twelve years. The famous Hindu pilgrimage Ujjain is located on the bank of this river. The Mahakaleshwar temple is built on the bank of river Shipra. It is called that after taking a dip in the river Shipra, one can get renunciation from all worldly means. Its ancient name was Awantika. It originates from Kakadi-Virdi hills in Indore district and inlet into Chambal.

Ken River originates from Vindhyachal hills flows towards north and inlet into the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh. Parvati River, Kwari River and Tawa River also constitute the drainage system of Madhya Pradesh. Parvati River originates from the north-facing slope of Vindhyan escarpment in Sehore district and confluences in the Chambal River. Kwari River originates from Shivpuri plateau. It divides Morena plateau in the water divided line and flows parallel to Chambal River and inlet into Sindh near Lahar in Bhind district. Tawa River is the main river of Hoshangabad district. Denawa and Sukhtawa are its tributaries. These are some of the important rivers of Madhya Pradesh.