Autonomous administrative divisions of India

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:

• 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

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.

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.

Constitutional autonomous councils

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

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).

''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 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.

References

References

1. "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India".
2. (24 January 2019). "Union Cabinet approves amendment in Sixth Schedule to strengthen 10 North East autonomous councils".
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5. (2022-06-13). "BJP wins all 26 seats in Assam’s Karbi Anglong council polls". The Times of India.
6. (2021-04-22). "NPP MDC Benedic R Marak wins CEM position in GHADC".
7. (2025-02-25). "UDP, independents back NPP to form JHADC EC - The Meghalayan Express". Hub News Assam.
8. (2025-02-24). "Meghalaya MDC Election 2025 Result: VPP Ousts Ruling NPP in Khasi Tribal Council, Bags 2nd Place In JHADC".
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13. (2024-08-07). "Assam adds 113 Tiwa Villages to Autonomous Council".
14. (2020-12-19). "Assam: BJP sweeps Tiwa council polls". The Times of India.
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16. (2019-01-29). "Assam: BJP, Allies Win Mising, Rabha Hasong, Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Elections".
17. "About Us {{!}} Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council".
18. (2025-04-06). "BJP-RHJM alliance retain Rabha Hasong council". The Times of India.
19. "Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Act, 2005".
20. "Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council Act, 2005".
21. (2022-01-25). "Assam: BJP sweeps Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council Election".
22. "About the Deori Autonomous Council".
23. (2022-11-10). "BJP-AGP alliance wins Deori autonomous council elections in Assam". The Times of India.
24. (2020-09-03). "Assam Assembly passes bills to create 3 separate autonomous councils".
25. "Assam House Passes Bill to Create Autonomous Council for Bodo-Kachari Community". News18.
26. "Autonomous District Councils Manipur in brief By Haokholal Hangshing".
27. (2015-07-14). "Finally, new ADC Members sworn in".
28. "Mizoram hopes for lasting peace as lone active rebel outfit signs peace deal". Hindustan Times.
29. "Mizoram: Opposition MNF sweeps Sinlung Hills Council polls".
30. "Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil".
31. Ashiq, Peerzada. (2023-10-18). "NC leader Dr. Akhone elected as new CEC of Kargil hill council". The Hindu.
32. "Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh".
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34. (2012-03-07). "President gives her assent to the GTA Bill".
35. Singh, Shiv Sahay. (2022-06-29). "Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha set to form board at Gorkhaland Territorial Administration". The Hindu.
36. [http://www.andaman.org/BOOK/chapter8/text8.htm#sentineli The Sentineli] {{webarchive. link. (2 March 2009 .)
37. "Administration in India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands has finally decided upon a policy of minimal interference".