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.

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.

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:

State Body Headquarters Formation Last Election Ruling Party Assam Bodoland Territorial Council Kokrajhar 20032025 Dima Hasao Autonomous Council Haflong 19522024 Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Diphu 19522022 Meghalaya Garo Hills Autonomous District Council Tura 19732021 Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Jowai 19732025 Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Shillong 19732025 Mizoram Chakma Autonomous District Council Kamalanagar 19722023Governor's rule Lai Autonomous District Council Lawngtlai 19722025 Mara Autonomous District Council Siaha 19722022 Tripura Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council Khumulwng 19822026

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).

State/UT Autonomous Council Headquarters Formation Last Election Last Ruling Party Assam Tiwa Autonomous Council Morigaon 1995 2020 BJP Mising Autonomous Council Dhemaji 1995 2019 SGS Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council Dudhnoi 1995 2025 RHJM Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Dibrugarh 2005 2019 BJP Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council Titabar 2005 2022 BJP Deori Autonomous Council Narayanpur 2005 2022 BJP Moran Autonomous Council Tinsukia 2020 Matak Autonomous Council Chring Gaon 2020 Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council Simen Chapori 2020 Kamtapur Autonomous Council Abhayapuri 2020 Manipur Chandel Autonomous District Council Chandel 1971 2015 NPF Churachandpur Autonomous District Council Churachandpur 1971 2015 Ind Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council Kangpokpi 1971 2015 INC Manipur North Autonomous District Council Senapati 1971 2015 NPF Tamenglong Autonomous District Council Tamenglong 1971 2015 NPF Ukhrul Autonomous District Council Ukhrul 1971 2015 NPF Mizoram Sinlung Hills Council Aizawl 2018 2024 MNF Ladakh Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil Kargil 2003 2023 JKNC Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh Leh 1995 2020 BJP Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Nubra Diskit 2026Autonomous Hill Development Council announced for all seven districts in Ladakh. What does this mean?, WION, 13 Jul 2026. Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Zanskar Padum 2026 Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Changthang Nyoma 2026 Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Sham Khalatse 2026 Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Drass Drass 2026 West Bengal Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Darjeeling 2012 2022 BGPM

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 statedThe Sentineli . 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.

See also Administrative divisions of India States and union territories of India List of autonomous areas by country

References

External links Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India