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]
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.
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]
There are 10 Autonomous District Councils created by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India:
| State | Autonomous District Council | Headquarters | Formation | Chief Executive Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assam | Bodoland Territorial Council | Kokrajhar | 2003 | Pramod Boro | |
| North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council | Haflong | 1952 | Debolal Gorlosa | ||
| Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council | Diphu | 1952 | Tuliram Ronghang | ||
| Meghalaya | Garo Hills Autonomous District Council | Tura | 1973 | Benedick R Marak | |
| Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council | Jowai | 1973 | T Shiwat | ||
| Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council | Shillong | 1973 | Titosstarwell Chyne | ||
| Mizoram | Chakma Autonomous District Council | Kamalanagar | 1972 | Rasik Mohan Chakma | |
| Lai Autonomous District Council | Lawngtlai | 1972 | V. Zirsanga | ||
| Mara Autonomous District Council | Siaha | 1972 | M Laikaw | ||
| Tripura | Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council | Khumulwng | 1982 | Purna Chandra Jamatia |
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).
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[5] 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.[6]