PESA Act, 1996
Tribal Self-Governance and Gram Sabha Rights
The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) was enacted on 24 December 1996 to extend Part IX of the Constitution to Scheduled Areas defined under the Fifth Schedule, with modifications that preserve tribal customary rights. The Act empowers Gram Sabhas in these areas with significant authority: mandatory prior consultation in land acquisition, control over natural resources, prevention of alienation of tribal land, and power to decide on local development projects. PESA applies to 10 states including Odisha and is intended to ensure that tribal communities govern themselves through their own institutions rather than outside impositions.
- Applies to areas specified under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution (Schedule V areas)
- Gram Sabha must be consulted for all acquisitions, resettlement, and rehabilitation
- State laws must be in consonance with customary laws, traditions, and social/religious practices of tribal communities
- Implemented in 10 states: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan
● Tracked since April 10, 2026 · last seen July 01, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes