Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs11
- Articles1
Foundation
Static background & why it matters
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.
- 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.
Static core
Acts, bodies, facts & tables
**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.
- 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.
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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) |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Polity & Governance |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Union Ministry of Home Affairs | Formulates policy |
| Parliament of India | Amends constitution |
Exam lens
Prelims framing, traps & PYQs
**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.
- 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.
Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2024 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2021 | Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2019 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2018 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions |
Latest
Current affairs & evolution
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.
Timeline
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Indian Polity & Governance
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2017
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Factual recall
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Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions
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Prelims 2018
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2019
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2021
Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2024
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2024
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
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Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions
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Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Ladakh seeks belonging through representation
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.
See also
Dashed boxes: related topics without a notes page yet. Tap a solid box to open notes.
Past papers
2018–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
Ladakh seeks belonging through representation
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.
Try these PYQs
Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?
The Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the administration and governance of Scheduled Areas, which are regions with a significant tribal population. It aims to safeguard the rights, culture, and land of tribal communities while preventing their exploitation. Under this Schedule, the Governor of a state with Scheduled Areas has special powers, including the authority to: - Declare any law related to the transfer of tribal land as null and void if it is found to violate the interests of the tribal population. - Prohibit or regulate the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals, ensuring that tribal communities retain control over their ancestral land and resources. These provisions act as a protective mechanism, preventing tribal communities from being forced or manipulated into selling their land for activities like mining, industries, or large-scale projects without adequate safeguards.
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
III. Conditions of the Governor’s office
For a constitutional amendment with respect to which of the above, ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States is required before presenting the bill to the President of India for assent?
Statement I is Correct: Any change in the Union List alters the distribution of legislative powers and requires ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures. Statement II is Correct: Changes affecting the extent of a State’s executive power also need ratification by not less than one-half of the States. Statement III is Incorrect: Conditions of the Governor’s office can be amended by Parliament alone and do not require ratification by States.
Consider the following pairs:
State – Description
I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks.
II. Nagaland : The State came into existence on the basis of a Constitutional Amendment Act.
III. Tripura : Initially a Part 'C' State, it became a centrally administered territory with the reorganization of States in 1956 and later attained the status of a full-fledged State.
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
This question tests knowledge of historical and administrative facts about northeastern Indian states. ✅ Pair I: Arunachal Pradesh – Correct
* Itanagar, the capital, is named after Ita Fort.
* The state has two National Parks: Namdapha and Mouling. ✅ Pair II: Nagaland – Correct
* Nagaland attained statehood via a constitutional amendment and came into being on 1 December 1963 through the State of Nagaland Act, 1962. ✅ Pair III: Tripura – Correct
* Tripura was a Part 'C' state, became a Union Territory in 1956, and was granted statehood in 1972.
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. Emergency provisions are given in Part XVIII of the Constitution.
3. Provisions related to the amendment of the Constitution are given in Part XX of the Constitutions
Select the answer using the code given below:
* Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. - This statement is correct. Part IXA of the Indian Constitution (added by the 74th Amendment Act, 1992) deals with Municipalities and provides for their powers and functions. * Emergency provisions are given in Part XVIII of the Constitution. - This statement is correct. Part XVIII of the Indian Constitution (Articles 352 to 360) deals with 'Emergency Provisions' outlining situations like national emergency, state emergency, and financial emergency. * Provisions related to the amendment of the Constitution are given in Part XX of the Constitution - This statement is correct. Part XX of the Indian Constitution contains only Article 368, which deals with the power of the Parliament to amend the Constitution and the procedure for it. _Therefore, all three statements are correct._
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 validity of a law placed in the Ninth Schedule cannot be examined by any court and no judgement can be made on it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: The Ninth Schedule was introduced through the First Constitutional Amendment (1951) to protect certain laws from judicial review, even if they violated Fundamental Rights (Part III of the Constitution). Statement 2 is incorrect: The protection under the Ninth Schedule is not absolute. As per the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) and reaffirmed in the I.R. Coelho case (2007), laws placed in the Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973, can still be challenged if they violate the "Basic Structure" of the Constitution. Thus, while the Ninth Schedule provides a degree of protection, the Supreme Court retains the power to review laws that undermine the Constitution’s core principles. Hence, the correct answer is option (a) 1 only.
Show 6 more PYQs
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 the Tenth Schedule, the President’s decision in accordance with the opinion of the Council of Union Ministers shall be final.
II. There is no mention of the word 'political party' in the Constitution of India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
❌ Statement I: Incorrect
The decision on disqualification under the Tenth Schedule is made by the Speaker or Chairman, not the President or the Union Council of Ministers. ❌ Statement II: Incorrect
The word ‘political party’ is explicitly mentioned in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. Therefore, neither statement is correct.
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 of State.
3. A foreigner once granted the citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. India follows a single citizenship system, which means that every Indian is a citizen of India, irrespective of the place of his/her residence within the country. The concept of domicile does not exist in the Indian Constitution. Statement 2 is incorrect. In India, the Head of State is the President, and as per Article 58 of the Indian Constitution, any person who is a citizen of India and is 35 years of age or above is eligible to become the President. It does not matter whether the person is a citizen by birth or by naturalization. Statement 3 is also incorrect. As per the Citizenship Act 1955, the Central Government has the power to deprive a person of his/her citizenship under certain circumstances.
With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:
1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Statement 1 is correct. The Government of India Act, 1935, proposed an All India Federation that would encompass both the British Indian Provinces and the Princely States. However, this federation never fully materialized due to the reluctance of many Princely States to join. * Statement 2 is incorrect. The Act reserved key subjects like Defence and Foreign Affairs under the control of the Governor General, representing the British Crown, and not the federal legislature. This ensured British dominance in these crucial areas.
Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?
* Article 43A of the Indian Constitution pertains to the "Participation of workers in the management of industries" and is a part of Part IV – Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). * It was added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 to promote industrial democracy by ensuring that workers have a role in decision-making within industries. * This provision aligns with the broader goal of economic justice and socialistic principles, as envisioned in the Directive Principles, by advocating for worker participation in industrial management. * Thus, Article 43A emphasizes the importance of participatory management in industries to promote industrial harmony and economic democracy.
Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?
Indian federalism is characterized by key features such as an independent judiciary, a clear division of powers between the Centre and the States, and unequal representation of States in the Rajya Sabha, all of which are enshrined in the Indian Constitution. However, unlike classical federations like the United States, Indian federalism is not the outcome of an agreement among the federating units. The Indian Constitution, which lays down the framework for India's federal structure, was not created through an agreement among the federating units but was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India.
Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in -
Local self-government is a key aspect of democratic decentralization, ensuring governance at the grassroots level. In India, local self-government refers to governing bodies operating below the state level, forming the third tier of governance in the federal structure. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments provide constitutional status and protection to Panchayati Raj Institutions (rural) and Urban Local Bodies (urban), respectively. Additionally, each state enacts its own legislation to regulate local governance. Democratic decentralization is the foundation of local self-government, emphasizing: - Democracy: Local citizens actively participate in governance through elected representatives, ensuring direct engagement in decision-making. - Decentralization: Authority and responsibilities are transferred from central and state governments to local bodies, empowering communities to address region-specific issues and enhance efficient governance. Thus, local self-government in India strengthens grassroots democracy, fosters self-reliance, and ensures better service delivery to the people.