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Autonomous administrative divisions of India

In India, there are autonomously administered territories for Scheduled Tribes, administered by representatives of those tribes. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India allows for the formation of Autonomous District Councils and Autonomous Regional Councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, granting them autonomy within their respective territories. Currently, there are 10 Autonomous District Councils across these four states. In these areas, Acts of Parliament and state legislation do not apply.[1][2]

Autonomous councils in India
Autonomous councils in North East India

Additionally, other autonomous councils, created by individual states through state legislation, exist in Northeast India, Ladakh, and West Bengal. Unlike those under the Sixth Schedule, these councils are subject to parliamentary and state laws.[citation needed]

Powers and competencies

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Executive and legislative powers

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Under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, autonomous district councils can make laws, rules and regulations in the following areas:[1]

  • Land management
  • Forest management
  • Water resources
  • Agriculture and cultivation
  • Formation of village councils
  • Public health
  • Sanitation
  • Village and town level policing
  • Appointment of traditional chiefs and headmen
  • Inheritance of property
  • Marriage and divorce
  • Social customs
  • Money lending and trading
  • Mining and minerals

Judicial powers

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Autonomous district councils have powers to form courts to hear cases where both parties are members of Scheduled Tribes and the maximum sentence is less than 5 years in prison.[1]

Taxation and revenue

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Autonomous district councils have powers to levy taxes, fees and tolls on: building and land, animals, vehicles, boats, entry of goods into the area, roads, ferries, bridges, employment and income and general taxes for the maintenance of schools and roads.[1]

Constitutional autonomous councils

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There are 10 Autonomous District Councils created by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India:

State Body Headquarters Formation Last Election Ruling Party
AssamBodoland Territorial CouncilKokrajhar2003 2025 BPF[3]
Dima Hasao Autonomous CouncilHaflong1952 2024 BJP[4]
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Diphu1952 2022 BJP[5]
MeghalayaGaro Hills Autonomous District Council Tura1973 2021 NPP[6]
Jaintia Hills Autonomous District CouncilJowai1973 2025 NPP[7]
Khasi Hills Autonomous District CouncilShillong1973 2025 VPP[8]
MizoramChakma Autonomous District CouncilKamalanagar1972 2023 Governor's rule[9]
Lai Autonomous District CouncilLawngtlai1972 2025 ZPM[10]
Mara Autonomous District CouncilSiaha1972 2022 BJP[11]
TripuraTripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District CouncilKhumulwng1982 2026 TMP[12]

Statutory autonomous councils

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Some states have created autonomous councils by an Act of their state legislatures. The two autonomous councils in the union territory of Ladakh was created by the state of Jammu and Kashmir (1952 – 2019).

State/UTAutonomous CouncilHeadquartersFormationLast ElectionLast Ruling Party
AssamTiwa Autonomous CouncilMorigaon1995[13]2020BJP[14]
Mising Autonomous CouncilDhemaji1995[15]2019SGS[16]
Rabha Hasong Autonomous CouncilDudhnoi1995[17]2025RHJM[18]
Sonowal Kachari Autonomous CouncilDibrugarh2005[19]2019BJP[16]
Thengal Kachari Autonomous CouncilTitabar2005[20]2022BJP[21]
Deori Autonomous CouncilNarayanpur2005[22]2022BJP[23]
Moran Autonomous CouncilTinsukia2020[24]
Matak Autonomous CouncilChring Gaon2020[24]
Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous CouncilSimen Chapori2020[25]
Kamtapur Autonomous CouncilAbhayapuri2020[24]
ManipurChandel Autonomous District CouncilChandel1971[26]2015NPF[27]
Churachandpur Autonomous District CouncilChurachandpur1971[26]2015Ind[27]
Sadar Hills Autonomous District CouncilKangpokpi1971[26]2015INC[27]
Manipur North Autonomous District CouncilSenapati1971[26]2015NPF[27]
Tamenglong Autonomous District CouncilTamenglong1971[26]2015NPF[27]
Ukhrul Autonomous District CouncilUkhrul1971[26]2015NPF[27]
MizoramSinlung Hills CouncilAizawl2018[28]2024MNF[29]
LadakhLadakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, KargilKargil2003[30]2023JKNC[31]
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, LehLeh1995[32]2020BJP[33]
West BengalGorkhaland Territorial AdministrationDarjeeling2012[34]2022BGPM[35]

De facto self-governing areas

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North Sentinel Island

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North Sentinel Island is situated in the island chain of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands which is a union territory of India. It is home to the Sentinelese people, who are among some of the world's last uncontacted peoples. They reject any contact with other people and are among the last people to remain virtually untouched by modern civilization. There has never been any treaty with the people of the island nor any record of a physical occupation.

The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has stated[36] that they have no intention of interfering with the Sentinelese's lifestyle or habitat. Although the island is likely to have suffered seriously from the effects of the December 2004 tsunami, the survival of the Sentinelese was confirmed when, some days after the event, an Indian government helicopter observed several of them, who shot arrows at the hovering aircraft to repel it.

Although this has not been done with any formal treaty, the official policy of minimal interference has ensured that they have de facto autonomy and sovereignty over their island under the framework of the central and local governments.[37]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  2. ↑ "Union Cabinet approves amendment in Sixth Schedule to strengthen 10 North East autonomous councils". 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  3. ↑ "BPF sweeps BTC polls, BJP reclaims council role via NDA realignment". The Times of India. 27 September 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2 October 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "BJP wins 25 seats in North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council in Assam". www.business-standard.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  5. ↑ "BJP wins all 26 seats in Assam's Karbi Anglong council polls". The Times of India. 13 June 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "NPP MDC Benedic R Marak wins CEM position in GHADC". The Shillong Times. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  7. ↑ "UDP, independents back NPP to form JHADC EC - The Meghalayan Express". Hub News Assam. 25 February 2025. Archived from the original on 22 May 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "Meghalaya MDC Election 2025 Result: VPP Ousts Ruling NPP in Khasi Tribal Council, Bags 2nd Place In JHADC". Outlook India. 24 February 2025. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "Mizoram: Governor's rule imposed in Chakma Autonomous District Council". Hindustan Times. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "ZPM, MNF form alliance to run Mizoram's Lai council". The Times of India. 15 December 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "Assam: BJP ousts MNF-Congress team from power in Mara council". The Times of India. 26 November 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  12. ↑ "TTAADC Election Results 2026: Tipra Motha Wins 24 Seats, BJP Gets 4; All 28 Results Declared".
  13. ↑ "Assam adds 113 Tiwa Villages to Autonomous Council". India Today NE. 7 August 2024. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "Assam: BJP sweeps Tiwa council polls". The Times of India. 19 December 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  15. ↑ "About us | Mising Autonomous Council". www.macassam.org. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  16. 1 2 "Assam: BJP, Allies Win Mising, Rabha Hasong, Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Elections". www.india.com. 29 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2 October 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  17. ↑ "About Us | Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council". rhac.assam.gov.in. Archived from the original on 29 April 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  18. ↑ "BJP-RHJM alliance retain Rabha Hasong council". The Times of India. 6 April 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 29 April 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  19. ↑ "Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Act, 2005" (PDF). legislative.assam.gov.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  20. ↑ "Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council Act, 2005" (PDF). wptbc.assam.gov.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  21. ↑ "Assam: BJP sweeps Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council Election". India Today NE (in Hindi). 25 January 2022. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  22. ↑ "About the Deori Autonomous Council". DAC Connect. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  23. ↑ "BJP-AGP alliance wins Deori autonomous council elections in Assam". The Times of India. 10 November 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  24. 1 2 3 "Assam Assembly passes bills to create 3 separate autonomous councils". The New Indian Express. 3 September 2020. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  25. ↑ "Assam House Passes Bill to Create Autonomous Council for Bodo-Kachari Community". News18. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Autonomous District Councils Manipur in brief By Haokholal Hangshing". e-pao.net. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Finally, new ADC Members sworn in". e-pao.net. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  28. ↑ "Mizoram hopes for lasting peace as lone active rebel outfit signs peace deal". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  29. ↑ "Mizoram: Opposition MNF sweeps Sinlung Hills Council polls". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  30. ↑ "Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil". Archived from the original on 6 September 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  31. ↑ Ashiq, Peerzada (18 October 2023). "NC leader Dr. Akhone elected as new CEC of Kargil hill council". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  32. ↑ "Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh". Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  33. ↑ "BJP Wins Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Elections In Leh". www.ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  34. ↑ "President gives her assent to the GTA Bill". Hindustan Times. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  35. ↑ Singh, Shiv Sahay (29 June 2022). "Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha set to form board at Gorkhaland Territorial Administration". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  36. ↑ The Sentineli Archived 2 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  37. ↑ "Administration in India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands has finally decided upon a policy of minimal interference". Retrieved 21 August 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
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