Autonomous District Councils Under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India provides a unique framework of autonomous governance for tribal communities in the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. Established under Articles 244(2) and 275(1), Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) were envisioned as instruments of self-governance that would protect the cultural identity, customary laws, and social practices of indigenous tribal peoples. However, more than several decades after their inception, ADCs continue to grapple with formidable challenges that impede their effective functioning. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the structural, financial, administrative, and socio-political challenges confronting ADCs, while simultaneously examining their considerable prospects in the context of India's evolving federal framework and the growing global discourse on indigenous rights. Drawing on constitutional provisions, legislative records, judicial interpretations, and scholarly literature, the paper argues that with meaningful reforms in financial devolution, administrative capacity, and intergovernmental relations, ADCs can serve as robust institutions for tribal self-determination and sustainable development in India's northeastern frontier.