Introduction
The Sixth Schedule of India’s Constitution (Article 244(2)) provides a unique form of constitutional autonomy to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, enabling local self-governance via Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). As tribal communities across India increasingly demand inclusion or expansion of Sixth Schedule protections, the debate has intensified over how best to reconcile democratic decentralization with administrative realities.
📜 What Is the Sixth Schedule & Its Purpose?
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Enacted to preserve tribal self-rule, the Schedule allows councils to enact laws on land, forests, agriculture, local governance, inheritance, and social customs, with limited state/cabinet veto powers through the Governor.
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It reflects concerns voiced during the Constituent Assembly that tribal governance must not be subsumed under mainstream state systems.
Centre for Law & Policy Research
Current Demands for Expansion
1. Ladakh’s Push for ADC Status
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Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and tribal leaders demand Sixth Schedule status to protect land, culture, and local governance amid rapid tourism growth.
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With 97% tribal population and risks from central regulatory overreach, advocates argue only constitutional protection can safeguard autonomy.
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2. Eight Autonomous Councils Seek Inclusion
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Groups like the Sonowal Kachari in Assam seek Sixth Schedule status for their Councils (e.g., Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council, SKAC) and elections overdue since February 2024.
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Similarly, Rabha communities protest proposed township development in Guwahati and demand inclusion under Sixth Schedule to secure cultural and land rights.
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3. Political Mobilisation by Northeast Parties
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The NPP, TIPRA Motha, UPPL, and other Sixth Schedule councils have joined forces to push for the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill (2019), which awaits passage.
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Benefits and Shortcomings of the Sixth Schedule
✅ Strengths
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Constitutional guarantee of autonomy, unlike statutory clauses (Fifth Schedule).
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Allows councils to legislate on key tribal affairs such as local custom, land ownership, and forest rights.
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⚠️ Limitations
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Council laws require Governor approval; state laws override conflicts (Paragraph 12A).
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Financial dependency on state governments undermines autonomy.
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Reports of misuse and corruption in councils—limited skilled staff and bureaucratic weakens self-governance.
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Key Debates & Controversies
Centralisation vs DECENTRALISATION
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Assam’s Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi accused the state government of stripping councils of power, turning them into “rubber stamps”.
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Sixth Schedule vs Article 371
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In Meghalaya, the Voice of the People Party (VPP) advocates for applying Article 371 (special state status) instead, arguing it offers superior constitutional protection. Opponents warn the two systems may not coexist legally.
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Recent Mobilisations and Activism
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Thousands of residents marched 100 km in Jharkhand demanding implementation of PESA Act (a Fifth Schedule law extending local governance to tribal areas), highlighting nationwide indigenous discontent.
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The Sonowal Kachari community, already demonstrating repeatedly, now press for Sixth Schedule status to prevent marginalization.
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Moving Forward: Reform Pathways
✍️ Constitutional Recognition
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Approving the 125th Amendment Bill and extending Sixth Schedule to new councils (e.g., Sonowal Kachari, Ladakh) would strengthen constitutional guarantees.
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Financial Autonomy
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Suggested reforms include direct funding via the Finance Commission to ADCs, reducing dependence on state discretionary grants.
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Institutional Strengthening
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Improving governance in councils via capacity-building, anti-corruption safeguards, and codification of customary laws.
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Conclusion
The demand for Sixth Schedule expansion reflects deep-seated aspirations for self-governance, cultural preservation, and equitable development among India’s tribal communities. While the constitutional framework offers promise, its efficacy rests on genuine autonomy, direct resources, and responsible local governance. As protests swell and the push for legislative reform gathers force, policymakers must combine constitutional integrity with realistic administrative reform to realize the promise of tribal self-rule across India.