Autonomous administrative divisions of India

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Autonomous councils in India Autonomous divisions of India.svg
Autonomous councils in India
Autonomous councils in North East India NE Autonomous divisions of India.svg
Autonomous councils in North East 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]

Contents

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

Executive and legislative powers

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]

Judicial powers

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

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

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

StateBodyHeadquartersFormationLast ElectionRuling Party
Assam Bodoland Territorial Council Kokrajhar 20032025 BPF [3]
Dima Hasao Autonomous Council Haflong 19522024 BJP [4]
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Diphu 19522022 BJP [5]
Meghalaya Garo Hills Autonomous District Council Tura 19732021 NPP [6]
Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Jowai 19732025 NPP [7]
Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Shillong 19732025 VPP [8]
Mizoram Chakma Autonomous District Council Kamalanagar 19722023 Governor's rule [9]
Lai Autonomous District Council Lawngtlai 19722025 ZPM [10]
Mara Autonomous District Council Siaha 19722022 BJP [11]
Tripura Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council Khumulwng 19822021 TMP [12]

Statutory autonomous councils

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
Assam Tiwa Autonomous Council Morigaon 1995 [13] 2020 BJP [14]
Mising Autonomous Council Dhemaji 1995 [15] 2019 SGS [16]
Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council Dudhnoi 1995 [17] 2025 RHJM [18]
Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Dibrugarh 2005 [19] 2019 BJP [16]
Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council Titabar 2005 [20] 2022 BJP [21]
Deori Autonomous Council Narayanpur 2005 [22] 2022 BJP [23]
Moran Autonomous Council Tinsukia 2020 [24]
Matak Autonomous Council Chring Gaon2020 [24]
Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council Simen Chapori2020 [25]
Kamtapur Autonomous Council Abhayapuri 2020 [24]
Manipur Chandel Autonomous District Council Chandel 1971 [26] 2015 NPF [27]
Churachandpur Autonomous District Council Churachandpur 1971 [26] 2015 Ind [27]
Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council Kangpokpi 1971 [26] 2015 INC [27]
Manipur North Autonomous District Council Senapati 1971 [26] 2015 NPF [27]
Tamenglong Autonomous District Council Tamenglong 1971 [26] 2015 NPF [27]
Ukhrul Autonomous District Council Ukhrul 1971 [26] 2015 NPF [27]
Ladakh Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil Kargil 2003 [28] 2023 JKNC [29]
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh Leh 1995 [30] 2020 BJP [31]
West Bengal Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Darjeeling 2012 [32] 2022 BGPM [33]

De facto self-governing areas

North Sentinel Island

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 [34] 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. [35]

See also

References

  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. ↑ "BTC polls: BPF wins 28 seats, reclaims power; BJP suffers setback, UPPL bags 7 seats". 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. ↑ "Royal scion Pradyot-led TIPRA Motha wins Tripura ADC election 2021, BJP-led alliance bites dust". NorthEast Now. 10 April 2021. Archived from the original on 25 January 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  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. ↑ "Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil". Archived from the original on 6 September 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ "Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh". Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  31. ↑ "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.
  32. ↑ "President gives her assent to the GTA Bill". Hindustan Times. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  33. ↑ 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.
  34. ↑ The Sentineli Archived 2 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine .
  35. ↑ "Administration in India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands has finally decided upon a policy of minimal interference". Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
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