Autonomous administrative divisions of India

What links here Related changes Page information
Created by 84.121.138.101
Last edited April 19, 2026


File:Autonomous divisions of India.svg
Autonomous councils in India
File:NE Autonomous divisions of India.svg
Autonomous councils in North East India

Template:Politics of 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]

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.Template:Cn

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]

  • 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.[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:

Template:Static row numbers

State Body Headquarters Formation Last Election Ruling Party
Assam Bodoland Territorial Council Kokrajhar 2003 2025 Template:Party name with color[3]
Dima Hasao Autonomous Council Haflong 1952 2024 Template:Party name with color[4]
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Diphu 1952 2022 Template:Party name with color[5]
Meghalaya Garo Hills Autonomous District Council Tura 1973 2021 Template:Party name with color[6]
Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Jowai 1973 2025 Template:Party name with color[7]
Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Shillong 1973 2025 Template:Party name with color[8]
Mizoram Chakma Autonomous District Council Kamalanagar 1972 2023 Governor's rule[9]
Lai Autonomous District Council Lawngtlai 1972 2025 Template:Party name with color[10]
Mara Autonomous District Council Siaha 1972 2022 Template:Party name with color[11]
Tripura Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council Khumulwng 1982 2026 Template:Party name with color[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).

Template:Static row numbers

State/UT Autonomous Council Headquarters Formation Last Election Last 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 Gaon 2020[24]
Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council Simen Chapori 2020[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]
Mizoram Sinlung Hills Council Aizawl 2018[28] 2024 MNF[29]
Ladakh Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil Kargil 2003[30] 2023 JKNC[31]
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh Leh 1995[32] 2020 BJP[33]
West Bengal Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Darjeeling 2012[34] 2022 BGPM[35]

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[36] 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.[37]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  2. ↑ Union Cabinet approves amendment in Sixth Schedule to strengthen 10 North East autonomous councils(24 January 2019). Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  3. ↑ BPF sweeps BTC polls, BJP reclaims council role via NDA realignment. The Times of India(2025-09-27). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  4. ↑ BJP wins 25 seats in North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council in Assam. www.business-standard.com. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  5. ↑ BJP wins all 26 seats in Assam’s Karbi Anglong council polls. The Times of India(2022-06-13). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  6. ↑ NPP MDC Benedic R Marak wins CEM position in GHADC. The Shillong Times(2021-04-22). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  7. ↑ UDP, independents back NPP to form JHADC EC - The Meghalayan Express. Hub News Assam(2025-02-25). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  8. ↑ Meghalaya MDC Election 2025 Result: VPP Ousts Ruling NPP in Khasi Tribal Council, Bags 2nd Place In JHADC. Outlook India(2025-02-24). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  9. ↑ Mizoram: Governor’s rule imposed in Chakma Autonomous District Council. Hindustan Times(2025-07-07). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  10. ↑ ZPM, MNF form alliance to run Mizoram’s Lai council. The Times of India(2025-12-15). Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  11. ↑ Assam: BJP ousts MNF-Congress team from power in Mara council. The Times of India(2022-11-26). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  12. ↑ TTAADC Election Results 2026: Tipra Motha Wins 24 Seats, BJP Gets 4; All 28 Results Declared.
  13. ↑ Assam adds 113 Tiwa Villages to Autonomous Council. India Today NE(2024-08-07). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  14. ↑ Assam: BJP sweeps Tiwa council polls. The Times of India(2020-12-19). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  15. ↑ About us | Mising Autonomous Council. www.macassam.org. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Assam: BJP, Allies Win Mising, Rabha Hasong, Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Elections. www.india.com(2019-01-29). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  17. ↑ About Us | Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council. rhac.assam.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  18. ↑ BJP-RHJM alliance retain Rabha Hasong council. The Times of India(2025-04-06). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  19. ↑ Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Act, 2005. legislative.assam.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  20. ↑ Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council Act, 2005. wptbc.assam.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  21. ↑ Assam: BJP sweeps Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council Election. India Today NE(2022-01-25). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  22. ↑ About the Deori Autonomous Council. DAC Connect. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  23. ↑ BJP-AGP alliance wins Deori autonomous council elections in Assam. The Times of India(2022-11-10). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Assam Assembly passes bills to create 3 separate autonomous councils. The New Indian Express(2020-09-03). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  25. ↑ Assam House Passes Bill to Create Autonomous Council for Bodo-Kachari Community. News18. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 Autonomous District Councils Manipur in brief By Haokholal Hangshing. e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 Finally, new ADC Members sworn in. e-pao.net(2015-07-14). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  28. ↑ Mizoram hopes for lasting peace as lone active rebel outfit signs peace deal. Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  29. ↑ Mizoram: Opposition MNF sweeps Sinlung Hills Council polls. Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  30. ↑ Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  31. ↑ NC leader Dr. Akhone elected as new CEC of Kargil hill council. The Hindu(2023-10-18). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  32. ↑ Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  33. ↑ BJP Wins Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Elections In Leh. www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  34. ↑ President gives her assent to the GTA Bill. Hindustan Times(2012-03-07). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  35. ↑ Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha set to form board at Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. The Hindu(2022-06-29). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  36. ↑ The Sentineli Template:Webarchive.
  37. ↑ Administration in India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands has finally decided upon a policy of minimal interference. Retrieved 2008-08-21.

Template:Autonomous administrative divisions of India Template:India topics Template:Geography of India Template:Proposed states and territories of India

Retrieved from "https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Autonomous_administrative_divisions_of_India&oldid=546779"
Discover more