6th Schedule: Features, Administration, Limitations & More

The 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution holds a crucial role in our legal system as it outlines the administration of Tribal Areas in four Indian states - Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. This schedule grants these tribal areas the status of autonomous entities. The articles that provide for the sixth schedule are Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Indian Constitution. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution safeguards tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. Enacted by the Constituent Assembly in 1949, the Sixth Schedule grants limited autonomy to the tribal regions of the North-East. It originated from the recommendations of the Bordoloi Committee, formed by the Constituent Assembly. The committee emphasized the need for an administration system fostering tribal area development. It advocated protecting these areas from exploitation by people in the plains and preserving their unique social customs.

This article on Sixth Schedule UPSC aims to delve deeper into the intricacies of the Sixth Schedule of Indian Constitution, a topic that holds significant importance for the IAS Exam.

The Sixth Schedule is a significant part of the Indian Polity section of the UPSC Syllabus.

What is the 6th Schedule of Indian Constitution?

The Sixth Schedule primarily provides for the administration of tribal areas as Autonomous Districts and Autonomous Regions. The Governor of the State, under the Sixth Schedule, has the authority to determine the areas to be marked as administrative units of the Autonomous Districts and Autonomous Regions. The Governor also has the power to create a new Autonomous District/Region or alter the territorial jurisdiction or the name of any Autonomous District or Autonomous Regions.

Tribal Areas under the 6th Schedule of Indian Constitution

Originally, the Sixth Schedule consisted of two parts, A and B. However, currently, there are 10 such areas in four parts as listed below:

Study in detail about Schedules Of Indian Constitution here!

Key Features of the 6th Schedule of Indian Constitution

The Sixth Schedule is characterized by several distinctive administrative features, which are as follows:

• The tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram have been constituted as autonomous districts. However, they are not outside the executive authority of the state in which they are located.
• If an autonomous district is inhabited by different tribes, the governor can divide the district into several autonomous regions.
• Each Autonomous District is administered by a District Council, which is composed of no more than thirty members. The Governor nominates four members, and the rest are elected by adult franchise.
• The elected members serve a term of five years (unless the council is dissolved earlier), and the nominated members serve at the pleasure of the governor.
• Each autonomous region also has its own Regional Council.

Administration of Tribal Areas Under the 6th Schedule of Indian Constitution

The Sixth Schedule provides for the creation of Autonomous District Councils and Regional Councils, which are endowed with certain legislative, executive, judicial, and financial powers. However, it's important to note that the administrative powers and functions of these District Councils and Regional Councils vary from state to state.

The powers and functions of District Councils and Regional Councils as outlined in the Sixth Schedule can be summarized as follows:

Legislative Functions

One of the most significant features of the Sixth Schedule is the empowerment of District Councils to make laws. These Councils can formulate laws on certain specified matters such as land, forests, canal water, shifting cultivation, village administration, inheritance of property, marriage and divorce, social customs, and so on. However, it's crucial to note that all laws made by the Councils under this provision will not come into effect until they are assented to by the Governor of the State.

Executive Functions

The District Councils and Regional Councils are empowered to establish, construct, or manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, cattle ponds, fisheries, roads, road transport, and waterways within their districts. Additionally, the Councils have the authority to prescribe the language and manner of instruction in primary schools within their jurisdiction.

Judicial Powers

The District and Regional Councils are empowered to establish Village and District Council Courts for the trial of suits and cases where all parties belong to Scheduled Tribes within the district. It's noteworthy that no other courts except the High Courts and the Supreme Court have jurisdiction over the suits or cases of the Council Courts. However, these Council Courts are not granted the power to decide cases involving offences punishable by death or imprisonment for five years or more.

Financial Powers

The District and Regional Councils are empowered to prepare a budget for their respective Councils. They also have the authority to assess and collect land revenue and impose taxes on professions, trades, animals, vehicles, entry of goods into the market for sale, toll on passengers and goods carried in ferries, and taxes for the maintenance of schools, dispensaries, or roads within their jurisdiction. Moreover, the Councils are given the power to grant licenses or leases for the extraction of minerals within their jurisdiction.

Read more about the Landmark Cases related to the Basic Structure of the Constitution!

Limitations of the 6th Schedule of Indian Constitution

Despite the aim of the Sixth Schedule at promoting self-governance, it is sometimes criticized to feature limited financial autonomy, an insufficient representation of certain tribes and be prone to inter-group conflicts between the tribal and the state authorities, thus creating problems in governance and regional unrest.

• Instead of fostering genuine regional autonomy, it has led to the emergence of multiple power centers.
• Ongoing conflicts of interest between District Councils and State Legislatures are prevalent, as seen in Meghalaya where the entire state remains under the sixth schedule, causing frequent clashes with the state government.
• There is a continuous demand for special provisions for various groups.
• Development is hampered due to a significant gap between the approved budget and funds received from the state government, directly impacting the growth of tribal communities.
• In February 2019, the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament, aiming to amend provisions related to the Finance Commission (Article 280) and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
• The bill aims to enhance the financial and executive powers of the 10 Autonomous Councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of the northeastern region.

Read more about the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution!

Importance of the 6th Schedule of Constitution

The special provisions of the 6th Schedule of constitution apply specifically to the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram due to the following reasons:

• The tribes in these sixth schedule states have largely retained their unique culture, customs, and civilization, without assimilating much into the mainstream lifestyle.
• These tribal areas have historically existed in isolation.
• In contrast, the tribal people in other parts of India have more or less adopted the culture of the majority of the people living around them.
• Therefore, these areas are treated differently by the Constitution, and substantial autonomy is granted for their self-government.
• Most tribal communities, classified as "Scheduled Tribes", have traditionally lived in isolation in hill and forest areas across the country.

Hence, the administration of these tribal areas has always been a matter of significant concern.

Difference Between 5th and 6th Schedule of Constitution

This tabular format highlights the primary differences between the 5th and 6th Schedules, aiding in a clear understanding of their distinct provisions and applications.

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