Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
The Sixth Schedule (Articles 244(2) and 275(1)) provides for the administration of tribal areas in four northeastern states — Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram — through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs). It is distinct from the Fifth Schedule (which applies to tribal areas in mainland India and does not create autonomous councils).
- States covered: Assam (three districts), Meghalaya (three districts), Tripura (one district), Mizoram (two districts).
- Meghalaya's three ADCs: Khasi Hills ADC (KHADC), Jaintia Hills ADC (JHADC), and Garo Hills ADC (GHADC).
- Powers of ADCs: Legislate on land management, forests (except reserved forests), use of waterways, inheritance, marriage and divorce, social customs, regulation of moneylending and trading by non-tribals — subject to Governor's assent.
- ADCs can establish courts to try tribal members for offences in customary law matters; their decisions can be appealed to the High Court.
- Governor's special role: The Governor of a Sixth Schedule state can include or exclude village/town areas from an Autonomous District; in Meghalaya (after the state-creation process), the Governor's role is more limited.
- Distinction from Fifth Schedule: Fifth Schedule (Article 244(1)) covers designated "Scheduled Areas" in non-NE states (Jharkhand, Odisha, MP, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, AP, Telangana, HP); administered through Governor and Tribal Advisory Council but does NOT create legislative autonomous councils.
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