Pawai is a town and a nagar panchayat in the Panna district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India.

Pawai is at 24°16′N 80°10′E / 24.27°N 80.17°E / 24.27; 80.17. It has an average elevation of 344 metres (1128 feet). Pawai is the administrative headquarters of Pawai tehsil, one of the largest tehsils of Panna district, and is on the Patne River.

As of 2001 India census, Pawai had a population of 12,003. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Pawai has an average literacy rate of 57%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 65%, and female literacy is 47%. In Pawai, 19% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Sub-tropical climate. Summers are somewhat scorching and temperature touches 40–45 Celsius. Winters are cold and comfortable and the minimum temperature generally remains under 8°C. Monsoon touches this region in June and continues till mid-September. The best time to visit is during winters (October to February).

• Pawai (Vidhan Sabha constituency)