Context:
Demand for inclusion of Ladakh in Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Sixth Schedule:
- Under Article 244(2) of the Constitution
- Purpose – Provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram
- Origin – Based on recommendations from the Bardoloi Committee.
Key Provisions:
- Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) – Created by the Governor.
- Consist of up to 30 members (4 nominated by the Governor and 26 elected).
- Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs) –
- Cover specific tribes within a region of an autonomous district.
- Powers of ADCs and ARCs –
- Legislative powers on subjects like Forest management, Agriculture, Inheritance, Marriage and Social customs
- Administrative powers to Collect land revenue, Impose taxes, Regulate trading and Collect royalties from mineral extraction.
Difference between 5th and 6th Schedule:
| Parameter | 5th Schedule | 6th Schedule |
| Applicability | Certain Scheduled Areas declared by President in any state of India. (Currently in 10 states – Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana) | Tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. |
| Provides for | Tribes Advisory Councils (TAC) created by Legislative Assembly of the states | Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) & Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs) |
| Powers | Has limited executive powers | Certain executive, legislative and judicial powers, all derived from the Constitution. |
| PESA Act 1996 | Applicable | Not applicable |
Read more about Scheduled Areas in India
Source: Economic Times
Previous Year Question
The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2013 Prelims]
(a) To provide self-governance
(b) To recognize traditional rights
(c) To create autonomous regions in tribal areas
(d) To free tribal people from exploitation
Answer: (c)
