The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India allows for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions which have been given autonomy within their respective states.[1] Most of these autonomous district councils are located in North East India with the exception of two in Ladakh and one in West Bengal. Presently, 10 Autonomous Councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura are formed by virtue of the Sixth Schedule[2] with the rest being formed as a result of other legislation.
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]
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]
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]
Autonomous district councils operating under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India are shown in bold.
| Sl. No. | State/UT | Autonomous Council | Headquarters | Formation | Last Election | Chief Executive Member | Party of Chief Executive Member | Current Party Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assam | Bodoland Territorial Council | Kokrajhar | 2003 | 2020 | Pramod Boro | UPPL(NEDA) | Total-40Govt
Opp:- BPF-12 | |
| 2 | North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council | Haflong | 1951 | 2019 | Debolal Gorlosa | BJP(NEDA) | Total-28Govt:- BJP-25 | ||
| 3 | Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council | Diphu | 1952 | 2022 | Tuliram Ronghang | BJP(NEDA) | Total-26Govt:- BJP-26 Opp:- 0 | ||
| 4 | Tiwa Autonomous Council | 1995 | 2020 | Jiban Chandra Konwar | BJP(NEDA) | Total-36Govt:- BJP-33 AGP-2 Opp:- INC-1 | |||
| 5 | Mising Autonomous Council | Dhemaji | 1995 | 2019 | Ranoj Pegu | SGS | Total-35Govt:- SGS-29 BJP-5 Opp:- IND-1 | ||
| 6 | Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council | Dudhnoi | 1995 | 2019 | Tankeswar Rabha | BJP(NEDA) | Total-36Govt:- BJP+RHJMC-34 Opp:- INC-1 AGP-1 | ||
| 7 | Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council | 2005 | 2019 | Dipu ranjan Markari | BJP(NEDA) | Total-26Govt:- BJP-20 Opp:- INC-5 IND-1 | |||
| 8 | Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council | 2005 | 2022 | Kumud Ch Kachari | BJP(NEDA) | Total-22 Govt:- BJP-14 AGP-3 Opp:- INC-4 IND-1 | |||
| 9 | Deori Autonomous Council | 2005 | 2022 | Madhav Deori | BJP(NEDA) | Total-22 Govt:- BJP-11 AGP-1 Opp:- IND-8 INC-2 | |||
| 10 | Moran Autonomous Council | 2020 | – | Dipon Moran | |||||
| 11 | Matak Autonomous Council | Chring Gaon | 2020 | – | |||||
| 12 | Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council | Simen Chapori | 2020 | – | Mihiniswar Basumatary | ||||
| 13 | Kamtapur Autonomous Council | Abhayapuri | 2020 | – | Jibesh Roy | ||||
| 14 | Ladakh | Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil | Kargil | 2003 | 2023 | Mohammad Jaffer Akhone | Total-30 Govt:- Jammu & Kashmir National Conference-10 Indian National Congress-8 Opp:- IND-5 BJP-3 | ||
| 15 | Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh | Leh | 1995 | 2020 | Tashi Gyalson | Bhartiya Janata Party | Total-30 Govt:- Bhartiya Janata Party-16 Opp:- INC-9 IND-1 | ||
| 16 | Manipur | Chandel Autonomous District Council | Chandel | 1971[4] | 2015 | Ksh. Siddharth, MCS | |||
| 17 | Churachandpur Autonomous District Council | 1971 | 2015 | Lalthazam, MCS | |||||
| 18 | Sadar Hills | 1971 | 2015 | James Doujapao Haokip, MCS | |||||
| 19 | Manipur North Autonomous District Council | 1971 | 2015 | H L Jain, MCS | |||||
| 20 | Tamenglong Autonomous District Council | 1971 | 2015 | Ningreingam Leisan[5] | |||||
| 21 | Ukhrul Autonomous District Council | 1971 | 2015 | David Kashungnao, MCS | |||||
| 22 | Meghalaya | Garo Hills Autonomous District Council | Tura | 1973 | 2021 | Benedick R Marak | NPP (NEDA) | Total-29Govt:- National People's Party (India)-11 BJP-2 Garo National Council-1 IND-3 Opp:- AITC-12 | |
| 23 | Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council | Jowai | 1973 | 2019 | T Shiwat | National People's Party (India) (NEDA) | Total-29Govt:- NPP-12 UDP-10 Opp:- INC-4 AITC-3 | ||
| 24 | Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council | Shillong | 1973 | 2019 | Titosstarwell Chyne | National People's Party (India)(NEDA) | Total-29Govt:- NPP-7 UDP-6 HSPDP-2 PDF-1 Opp:- INC-10Oth:- AITC-3 | ||
| 25 | Mizoram | Chakma Autonomous District Council | Kamalanagar | 1972 | 2023 | Rasik Mohan Chakma | MNF | Total-20Govt:- MNF-12 Opp:- INC-6 BJP-1 | |
| 26 | Lai Autonomous District Council | Lawngtlai | 1972 | 2020 | V. Zirsanga | MNF | Total-25Govt:- MNF-20 Opp:- IND-3 BJP-1 INC-1 | ||
| 27 | Mara Autonomous District Council | Siaha | 1972 | 2022 | M Laikaw | BJP | Total-25Govt: BJP -16 Opp:- INC - 4 MNF - 5 | ||
| 28 | Tripura | Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council | Khumulwng | 1982 | 2021 | Purna Chandra Jamatia | TIPRA | Total-30Govt:- TIPRA-18 IND-1 Opp:- BJP-9 | |
| 29 | West Bengal | Gorkhaland Territorial Administration | Darjeeling | 2012 | 2022 | Anit Thapa | BGPM | Govt:- BGPM-27 AITC-5 IND-3 Opp:- HP-8 IND-2 |
| Legends | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | ECI Recognition[6] | ||
| AKRSU(K) | All Koch-Rajbanshi Students’ Union | N/A | |
| AITC | All India Trinamool Congress | State Party | |
| AGP | Asom Gana Parishad | State Party | |
| BJP | Bharatiya Janata Party | National Party | |
| BPF | Bodoland People's Front | State Party | |
| GNC | Garo National Council | Registered Unrecognized Party | |
| GSP | Gana Suraksha Party | Registered Unrecognized Party | |
| HSPDP | Hill State People's Democratic Party | State Party | |
| INC | Indian National Congress | National Party | |
| JKNC | Jammu & Kashmir National Conference | State Party | |
| KADF | Karbi Anglong Democratic Forum | N/A | |
| MNF | Mizo National Front | State Party | |
| NPP | National People's Party | National Party | |
| People's Democratic Front | State Party | ||
| RHJMC | Rabha Hasong Joint Movement Committee | N/A | |
| SGS | Sanmilita Gana Shakti | Registered Unrecognized Party | |
| TIPRI | The Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance | State Party | |
| UDP | United Democratic Party (Meghalaya) | State Party | |
| UPPL | United People's Party Liberal | State Party | |
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[7] 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.[8]