# Sixth Schedule of the Constitution: Autonomous District Councils, Powers, Fifth vs Sixth Schedule and the Ladakh Demand — UPSC Notes

By Shivam Singh, Founder & Mentor, Minimalist IAS · Published 22 Oct 2026
Source: https://www.minimalistias.com/blog/sixth-schedule-autonomous-district-councils-upsc-notes

> A one-stop UPSC guide to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution: why it was needed, how Autonomous District Councils are composed and work, the Fifth vs Sixth Schedule comparison, council issues backed by data, and the Ladakh debate. Includes PYQs, MCQs and Mains questions.

**The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, under Articles 244(2) and 275(1), gives the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram self-rule through ten Autonomous District Councils.** Each can make laws on land, forests, inheritance and social customs, with the Governor’s assent, and run village courts. Ladakh’s hill councils are statutory bodies, not part of it.

> **Why in news:** The LAHDC (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, issued under Article 240, gives every Ladakh district a statutory hill council, while Ladakh’s groups (LAB, KDA) have rejected an MHA draft for a UT-level elected body and still seek Statehood and Sixth Schedule status.

## Syllabus mapping

- **Prelims:** ‘Indian Polity and Governance — Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.’
- **GS Paper II:** ‘Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein’.
- **GS Paper III:** ‘Security challenges and their management in border areas’ (the Ladakh angle).

## Why was the Sixth Schedule needed?

The syllabus shows where the Schedule sits; the fears of the hill tribes explain why it exists.

- **Hill tribes:** communities of undivided Assam held land and law by custom; the colonial state had kept many hill tracts apart as excluded areas.
- **Bordoloi Sub-Committee:** formed in 1947 under Gopinath Bordoloi, it recommended district and regional councils.
- **Basis:** Article 244(2) applies the Schedule; Article 275(1) gives grants-in-aid. In force from 1950; councils began in 1952 (United Khasi-Jaintia Hills).
- **Spread:** Meghalaya and Mizoram inherited councils from Assam (1971 Act); Tripura joined by the 49th Amendment (1984).

## Key features of the Sixth Schedule

The Schedule builds a council system with law-making, judicial, financial and executive powers, all under the Governor’s watch.

*Figure: Infographic: ten Autonomous District Councils in four States. Assam: Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Bodoland Territorial. Meghalaya: Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills. Mizoram: Chakma, Lai, Mara. Tripura: Tripura Tribal Areas. Each council has at most 30 members; Bodoland has up to 46.*

- **Coverage:** ten councils (Assam 3, Meghalaya 3, Mizoram 3, Tripura 1).
- **Composition:** up to 30 members, at most 4 nominated by the Governor, the rest elected; five-year term, extendable if polls are impracticable. Bodoland: up to 46 (40 elected, 6 nominated).
- **Law-making:** land (not reserved forest), forests, jhum, village administration, chiefs, inheritance, marriage and divorce, social customs. The Governor must assent.
- **Justice:** village councils and courts try suits among Scheduled Tribes; appeals go to the council, then the High Court as the Governor specifies. Serious offences only if the Governor confers powers.
- **Finance:** land revenue; taxes on trades, animals, vehicles and markets; licensing of money-lending by non-tribals; a negotiated share of State mineral royalties.
- **Oversight:** the Governor can annul or suspend acts endangering India’s safety or public order, and dissolve a council on a Commission’s recommendation.

## How does an Autonomous District Council work?

These features meet in one chain: a council law operates only after the Governor’s assent, and he can later undo it.

*Figure: Five steps of a council law: the council passes a law on a listed subject; it is sent to the Governor and has no effect until assented to; the Governor assents and the law takes effect in the district; village councils and courts apply it; the Governor may annul or suspend an act endangering India’s safety or public order.*

- **Make and enforce:** the council legislates, the Governor assents, and village councils and courts apply the law; the Governor can later annul or suspend it.
- **Outside laws:** in Assam, Tripura and Mizoram, State laws on council subjects apply only if the council so directs; in Meghalaya, State law prevails over a repugnant council law (paragraph 12A).

## Fifth Schedule vs Sixth Schedule

UPSC has tested both Schedules (Prelims 2015, 2022, 2025, 2026). PESA belongs only to the Fifth: [PESA Act 1996 and the Fifth Schedule](https://www.minimalistias.com/blog/pesa-act-1996-gram-sabha-fifth-schedule-upsc-notes).

| Feature | Fifth Schedule | Sixth Schedule |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Article | Article 244(1) | Article 244(2) |
| Where | Scheduled Areas in 10 States | Tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram |
| Declared by | President, by order | Listed in the Schedule’s Table; Governor alters districts |
| Run by | State government; Governor reports to the President; Tribes Advisory Council advises | Autonomous District Councils (up to 30 members), self-governing |
| Law-making | Governor can bar or modify Acts and restrict land transfer | Councils legislate on land, forests, marriage, customs |
| Panchayats | Part IX extended by PESA | Part IX excluded (Article 243M(1)) |

**Remember it as:** Fifth, the Governor guards the tribe; Sixth, the tribe governs and the Governor supervises.

## Significance of the Sixth Schedule

Against that design, the Schedule matters in three ways.

- **Democratic and cultural:** tribal self-rule; customary law, land and forests stay with the community.
- **Federal:** asymmetry, like Articles 371 to 371J, fits a diverse Union.

## Issues and challenges

Autonomy on paper depends on money, elections and devolved powers, and the record shows gaps.

- **Money (CAG, 2017-18):** about 80% of the Karbi Anglong council’s activities were funded by State grants; its revenue deficit was ₹66.50 crore (33%).
- **Overdue polls (2026):** Garo Hills council polls were postponed and its term extended twice; Tripura’s village committee polls came only after a Supreme Court order, nearly a decade late.
- **Weak devolution:** the 125th Amendment Bill (2019), adding village and municipal councils, is not law; the Standing Committee reported in March 2020.
- **Outside Part IX:** Article 243M keeps Panchayat provisions out of tribal areas (and wholly out of Meghalaya and Mizoram), so State Election and Finance Commission provisions do not apply automatically.

## Should the Sixth Schedule be extended?

These gaps frame the debate: should tribal-majority regions outside the four States, such as Ladakh, get the same model?

- **Case for:** a constitutional shield for land, jobs and customs that executive regulation cannot give.
- **Critique:** drafted for North-Eastern hill tribes; councils face funding gaps, late polls and Governor’s overrides.
- **Alternative:** Articles 371A (Nagaland) and 371G (Mizoram) shield customary law and land: Parliament’s Acts apply only on the Assembly’s resolution; the reported Article 371K for Ladakh follows them.
- **The real question:** a protected council, or a law-making body for a Union Territory?

## Current relevance: should Ladakh get the Sixth Schedule?

In Ladakh the debate is concrete, because its hill councils resemble Sixth Schedule councils but are not.

| Feature | Ladakh hill council | Sixth Schedule council |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Source | LAHDC Act, 1997, amended by regulation (Article 240) | The Constitution |
| Law-making | None; executive and planning powers | Listed subjects, with the Governor’s assent |
| Seats | 7 to 24 elected, up to 4 nominated; one-third for women (2025) | Up to 30, at most 4 nominated |

- **Direct answer:** not yet. The Centre has offered statutory councils and a proposed Article 371-type body; Article 244(2) names four States.
- **Why Ladakh asks:** a Union Territory without a legislature since 2019, run by Article 240 regulations; the NCST (2019) recommended the Sixth Schedule, citing a tribal population of about 97%.
- **Union’s position:** the councils kept their powers after 2019 (Government reply, 2024); an in-principle understanding on a sui generis elected body followed in May 2026.
- **Latest:** councils now cover all eight districts, including the new Sankoo; the 2026 regulation sets 7 to 24 elected seats and up to 4 nominated.
- **Polls:** the State Election Commission now runs council elections; Leh’s term ended in 2025 and no polls are announced.
- **Groups’ reply:** LAB and KDA rejected the MHA draft in principle (October 2026), oppose council-based models and seek a legislature, Statehood and the Sixth Schedule.

## Landmark judgments and milestones

Courts and Parliament have drawn the councils’ limits case by case.

*Figure: Timeline: 1965 Edwingson Bareh v State of Assam upholds creation of the Jowai autonomous district; 1971 Sitimon Sawian case bars council laws on transfer of land; 2003 Bodoland Territorial Council with up to 46 members; 2019 125th Amendment Bill introduced; 2020 Bodoland accord, council seats up to 60; 2026 Ladakh hill councils recast by regulation.*

- **Edwingson Bareh v State of Assam (1965):** upheld the Governor’s creation of the Jowai district.
- **District Council of United Khasi-Jaintia Hills v Miss Sitimon Sawian (1971):** under the land clause, ‘allotment, occupation or use’ excludes transfer, so councils cannot legislate on it.
- **Sixth Schedule (Amendment) Act, 2003:** created the Bodoland Territorial Council.
- **Bodoland accord (2020):** renamed the area Bodoland Territorial Region; council seats may rise to 60.

## Way forward

The remedies follow the gaps: devolve, fund, and elect on time.

- **Enact the 125th Amendment:** devolve planning, finance and village-level bodies.
- **Fund and elect:** predictable Finance Commission-linked transfers, regular audit, and polls on time with few extensions.
- **Ladakh:** time-bound dialogue; a clear subject list, land and job safeguards, timely council polls.

Tribal self-rule works where a council has funds, regular elections and a clear subject list. Ladakh’s question is whether a council model or a legislature-based body suits a Union Territory.

## Using the Sixth Schedule in a Mains answer

- **Introduction:** the Sixth Schedule (Article 244(2)) gives four North-Eastern States’ tribal areas self-rule, an asymmetric federal device.
- **Body:** design (law-making list, courts, taxes, assent); gaps (funds, overdue polls, pending 125th Bill).
- **Way forward and conclusion:** devolution, funds, timely polls; for Ladakh, a defined subject list and safeguards.

## Related PYQs

**UPSC CSE Prelims 2026:**  
**Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India:**  
**1. Provisions regarding the administration of the Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are given in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India.**  
**2. Some tribes of India are entitled to exemption from paying Income Tax on certain incomes.**  
**3. The Constitution of India provides for reservation of seats in Panchayats for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.**  
Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct?  
(a) There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.  
(b) There are two correct statements, that are statements 1 and 3.  
(c) There is only one correct statement.  
(d) All three statements are correct.  
Answer: (a) There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.  
Use: statement 1 swaps the Schedules.

**UPSC CSE Mains 2026, GS Paper III:**  
**“Ladakh is strategically located between China and Pakistan. As a measure to win hearts and minds of locals, discuss the Border Area Development Programmes (BADP) by the Central Government and civic actions by the Army. Also discuss demand of promulgation of provision of the Sixth Schedule of constitution for Ladakh.” (150 words; 10 marks)**

**See the detailed explanations:** [Prelims 2026](https://www.minimalistias.com/pyqs/prelims/2026) · [Mains 2026](https://www.minimalistias.com/pyqs/mains/2026) in the free PYQ vault, with year-wise analysis. Free to browse; free sign-up to download.

## Mentor’s note

- **Don’t write that Ladakh’s hill councils are Sixth Schedule bodies.** They run on the LAHDC Act, 1997 and have no law-making power; Mains 2026 treated the Sixth Schedule as a demand.
- **Anchor Fifth vs Sixth on Article 244(1) and 244(2).** The 2026 Prelims statement placed the North-Eastern States under the Fifth.
- **Quote the limits, not only the powers:** Governor’s assent, annulment, dissolution, and *Sitimon Sawian* (1971).

## Prelims traps

> **Not all of the North-East:** only Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram; Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal are outside.
> **Only listed areas:** the Table’s tribal areas, not whole States.
> **Ladakh:** statutory hill councils under the LAHDC Act, 1997, not Sixth Schedule councils.
> **Council size:** up to 30 members, at most 4 nominated; Bodoland up to 46, with 6 nominated.
> **Not Panchayats:** Article 243M(1) excludes tribal areas from Part IX; PESA is Fifth Schedule only.

## Target Prelims MCQs

**With reference to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, consider the following statements:**

1. **It applies to the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram under Article 244(2).**
2. **A District Council may have at most thirty members, of whom not more than four are nominated by the Governor.**
3. **Laws made by a District Council on inheritance of property take effect without the Governor’s assent.**

How many of the above statements are correct?  
(a) Only one  
(b) Only two  
(c) All three  
(d) None

**Answer: (b) Only two**

**Explanation:**

**Statement 1 is correct:** Article 244(2) names those four States.

**Statement 2 is correct:** the limit is thirty members, at most four nominated.

**Statement 3 is incorrect:** a council law has no effect until the Governor assents.

**Consider the following pairs:**

1. **Bodoland Territorial Council : Assam**
2. **Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council : Meghalaya**
3. **Chakma Autonomous District Council : Tripura**

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?  
(a) Only one  
(b) Only two  
(c) All three  
(d) None

**Answer: (b) Only two**

**Explanation:**

**Pairs 1 and 2 are correct:** both councils lie in the stated States.

**Pair 3 is incorrect:** the Chakma council is in Mizoram.

**Consider the following statements:**

**Statement-I: Ladakh’s hill councils cannot make laws on land and customary matters as Sixth Schedule councils can.**

**Statement-II: Ladakh’s hill councils are created by a statute, whereas a Sixth Schedule council’s law-making power flows from the Constitution itself.**

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?  
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I  
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I  
(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect  
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

**Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I**

**Explanation:**

**Both statements are correct:** the LAHDC Act, 1997 gives executive and planning powers only.

**(a) is correct:** resting on a statute, not the Schedule, the councils lack the Schedule’s law-making list.

## Mains practice questions

> **The Sixth Schedule promises tribal self-rule, yet Autonomous District Councils struggle with funds, elections and devolved powers. Examine. (Answer in 150 words; 10 Marks)**

> **Ladakh’s groups demand the Sixth Schedule, while the Centre has offered statutory hill councils and a Union Territory-level elected body. Critically examine the case for extending the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh and suggest a way forward. (Answer in 250 words; 15 Marks)**

## Abbreviations & terminology

- **LAHDC:** Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
- **LAB and KDA:** Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance.
- **Jhum:** shifting cultivation.

## Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

### What is the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

The Sixth Schedule (Articles 244(2) and 275(1)) provides Autonomous District Councils in tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, with powers over land, forests, customs, village courts and taxes.

### What is the difference between the Fifth and Sixth Schedules?

The Fifth Schedule (Article 244(1)) covers Scheduled Areas in ten States, run through the Governor. The Sixth (Article 244(2)) gives self-governing councils to four North-Eastern States.

### Which States have Autonomous District Councils?

Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram: ten councils, three each in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram, and one in Tripura.

### Is Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule?

No. Ladakh’s hill councils are statutory bodies under the LAHDC Act, 1997. Ladakh’s groups demand Sixth Schedule status; the Centre has offered other arrangements.

## 60-second revision

- **Q: Which Articles anchor the Sixth Schedule?** Articles 244(2) and 275(1).
- **Q: How many councils, and where?** Ten: Assam 3, Meghalaya 3, Mizoram 3, Tripura 1.
- **Q: Are Ladakh’s hill councils Sixth Schedule bodies?** No; statutory, under the LAHDC Act, 1997.

## Related reading

- [PESA Act 1996: Gram Sabha Powers, Fifth Schedule and Implementation](https://www.minimalistias.com/blog/pesa-act-1996-gram-sabha-fifth-schedule-upsc-notes)
- [J&K Statehood Resolution: Article 3, the 2019 Reorganisation and the Supreme Court’s 2023 Assurance](https://www.minimalistias.com/blog/jammu-kashmir-statehood-resolution-article-3)
- [Practise previous-year Polity questions in the free PYQ vault](https://www.minimalistias.com/pyqs)
- [Revise the NCERT basics of Indian Polity in NCERT Foundations](https://www.minimalistias.com/resources/ncert)

## Sources

- [Sixth Schedule, Constitution of India (MEA copy)](https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/pdf1/S6.pdf)
- [KHADC: landmark court decisions](https://khadc.nic.in/archive/landmarks_courts_decision.html)
- [PRS: Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019](https://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/constitution-one-hundred-and-twenty-fifth-amendment-bill-2019)
- [CAG: Karbi Anglong council accounts, 2017-18](https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2018/Overview--KAAC-Report-2017-18_17-12-2023-068aeda426aca73.59190793.pdf)
- [PRS: Policy Review, September 2019 (NCST)](https://prsindia.org/policy/monthly-policy-review/september-2019)
- [ThePrint/PTI: Ladakh hill council regulation (2026)](https://theprint.in/india/regulation-issued-to-revise-structure-electoral-procedure-of-ladakh-hill-development-councils/3074606/)

**Minimalist IAS static notes — by Shivam Singh.**

---
Minimalist IAS — free UPSC study material and one-to-one mentorship. Canonical page: https://www.minimalistias.com/blog/sixth-schedule-autonomous-district-councils-upsc-notes