India's notoriously oversized bureaucracy has found a new way to expand - the country's first ministry of happiness, dedicated to "putting a smile on every face".

The new ministry will be created by the central state of Madhya Pradesh to "track our growth" in a manner based on Bhutan's concept of gross national happiness.

"The state will be made responsible for happiness and tolerance of its citizens and will rope in psychologists to counsel people on how to be always happy," said Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the state's chief minister.