Land Reforms in India
Framework and Implementation Challenges
Land reform in India has been a constitutional and policy objective since independence. The Constitution (via Article 39(b) and 39(c) under Directive Principles) directs the state to ensure equitable distribution of material resources and prevent concentration of wealth. State governments have the primary legislative authority over land under the Seventh Schedule (State List, Entry 18).
- Land ceiling laws, tenancy reforms, and abolition of zamindari and jagirdari were the three pillars of post-independence land reform.
- The Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (replaced by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013) governed state acquisition of land.
- For tribal communities, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (Forest Rights Act) is the principal legislation recognising forest land rights of tribal and forest-dwelling communities.
- Under the Panchayati Raj system, Fifth Schedule areas have specific protections preventing alienation of tribal land to non-tribals.
● Tracked since March 13, 2026 · last seen April 08, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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