UPSC Notes

Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution

PYQs

Articles

Momentum

Phase IFoundation

Foundation

Static background & why it matters

Overview

The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1), provides for the administration of tribal areas in four North-Eastern states: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. It establishes Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Regional Councils, granting them significant legislative, executive, and judicial autonomy to protect the distinct culture, land rights, and identity of indigenous tribal communities.

Crucial for understanding India's federal structure, protection of tribal rights, regional autonomy, and governance in sensitive border areas. It's a recurring topic in GS2, especially concerning demands for its application in new regions.

Key facts

Constitutional Basis

Article 244(2) and Article 275(1)

Part of Constitution

Part X (Scheduled and Tribal Areas)

Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)

Self-governing bodies established under the Sixth Schedule with legislative, executive, and judicial powers.

Regional Councils

Sub-units within an Autonomous District Council, established for specific regions or tribes.

Phase IIStatic core

Static core

Acts, bodies, facts & tables

Overview

**Composition of ADCs**: Each Autonomous District Council consists of not more than 30 members, of whom 4 are nominated by the Governor and the remaining 26 are elected on the basis of adult suffrage. The elected members hold office for a term of five years, unless the Council is dissolved earlier. The nominated members hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.

**Legislative Powers**: ADCs have the power to make laws on specified subjects such as land (other than reserved forests), management of forests (other than reserved forests), use of canal or watercourses, shifting cultivation, establishment of village or town committees, inheritance of property, marriage, social customs, and appointment or succession of chiefs or headmen. All such laws require the assent of the Governor.

Key facts

Total ADCs

Currently 10 Autonomous District Councils operate across the four states.

Governor's Discretion

The Governor has significant discretionary powers regarding the organization, administration, and dissolution of ADCs, and the application of laws.

Protection of Identity

Aims to protect the distinct cultural identity, land rights, and traditional practices of tribal communities.

Decentralized Governance

Promotes grassroots democracy and decentralized governance by empowering local tribal bodies.

Amendment

Any amendment to the Sixth Schedule requires a constitutional amendment by Parliament.

Reference table

States Covered by the Sixth Schedule

State	Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)
Assam	Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong, Bodoland Territorial Council
Meghalaya	Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills
Tripura	Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council
Mizoram	Chakma, Mara, Lai

Reference table

Key Powers of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)

Power Type	Examples of Subjects/Functions
Legislative	Land, forest management, watercourses, shifting cultivation, village administration, inheritance, marriage, social customs.
Executive	Administration of primary schools, dispensaries, markets, roads, fisheries.
Judicial	Constitution of village courts for civil and criminal cases involving Scheduled Tribes.
Financial	Assessment and collection of land revenue, levy of taxes (professions, trades, vehicles, entry of goods), management of district funds.

Reference table

Sixth Schedule vs. Fifth Schedule

Feature	Sixth Schedule	Fifth Schedule
Application	Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram (specific tribal areas)	Other states with Scheduled Areas (e.g., Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, MP, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh)
Administrative Structure	Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with significant legislative, executive, and judicial powers	Tribes Advisory Councils (TACs) to advise Governor on tribal welfare
Level of Autonomy	Higher degree of autonomy and self-governance for tribal communities	Less autonomy; primarily advisory role for TACs; state executive power extends to these areas
Constitutional Basis	Article 244(2) and 275(1)	Article 244(1)

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

Type	Reference
Conceptual area	Indian Polity & Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

Body	Role
Union Ministry of Home Affairs	Formulates policy
Parliament of India	Amends constitution

Phase IIIExam lens

Exam lens

Prelims framing, traps & PYQs

Overview

**For Prelims**: Questions often focus on the states covered by the Sixth Schedule, the articles involved (244, 275), the composition and powers of ADCs, the role of the Governor, and key differences between the Fifth and Sixth Schedules. Specific names of ADCs or the subjects on which they can legislate are also common.

**For Mains**: The Sixth Schedule is a crucial topic for GS2 (Indian Polity and Governance). Questions can involve critical analysis of its effectiveness in protecting tribal rights, challenges faced by ADCs (e.g., funding, corruption, conflict with state government), demands for its extension to new areas (like Ladakh), its implications for India's federal structure, and its role in managing ethnic diversity and regional aspirations. Discussions on balancing autonomy with national integration are also relevant.

Quick revision

Constitutional provision for administration of tribal areas in NE states.
Grants legislative, executive, judicial powers to ADCs.
Aims to protect tribal land, culture, and self-governance.
Ladakh's demand for Sixth Schedule status for similar protections.
Debate on balancing strategic concerns with regional autonomy.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — Distinguish between constitutional provisions like the Sixth Schedule and statutory bodies or administrative arrangements.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under ...

Indian PolityOpen question

2025Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under ...

Indian PolityOpen question

2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under ...

Indian PolityOpen question

2024Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India? 1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. 2...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

Modern HistoryOpen question

2024Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India? 1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. 2...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

Modern HistoryOpen question

2021Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile. 2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head...

Indian PolityOpen question

2019Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?

Indian PolityOpen question

2018Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

Indian PolityOpen question

2017Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?

Indian PolityOpen question

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?

Indian PolityOpen question

Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in -

Indian PolityOpen question

2017Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?

Indian PolityOpen question

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?

Indian PolityOpen question

Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in -

Indian PolityOpen question

2017Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions

Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?

Indian PolityOpen question

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?

Indian PolityOpen question

Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in -

Indian PolityOpen question

Phase IVLatest

Latest

Current affairs & evolution

Overview

The demand for extending the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh has gained prominence, with local groups advocating for its application to protect the region's unique culture, land, and environment following its reorganization into a Union Territory.

**Ladakh's Demand**: Post the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir into two Union Territories in 2019, there has been a strong demand from various groups in Ladakh for its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. This demand stems from concerns about potential demographic changes, land alienation, loss of cultural identity, and environmental degradation due to increased tourism and external investment.

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & Governance

Prelims 2017· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?

Open question

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?

Open question

Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in -

Open question

Prelims 2017· Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?

Open question

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?

Open question

Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in -

Open question

Prelims 2017· Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions

Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?

Open question

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?

Open question

Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in -

Open question

Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

Open question

Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?

Open question

Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile. 2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head...

Open question

Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India? 1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. 2...

Open question

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

Open question

Prelims 2024· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India? 1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. 2...

Open question

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

Open question

Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Open question

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under ...

Open question

Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Open question

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under ...

Open question

Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Open question

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under ...

Open question

Ladakh seeks belonging through representation

22 May 2026 · The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Regional Councils, granting them legislative, executive, and judicial powers over specified subjects. Its potential application to Ladakh is a key demand for self-governance and protection of land, culture, and environment.

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Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 11 linked questions on Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

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Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution

Overview

Key facts

Overview

Key facts

Reference table

Reference table

Reference table

Reference table

Reference table

Overview

Quick revision

Elimination traps

High-confidence PYQs

Overview

Topic timeline

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