The Sixth Schedule is a provision of the Indian Constitution that establishes a special system for the administration of tribal areas in the four northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. Its origin is rooted in the need to protect the distinct cultural identity, land, and social customs of indigenous tribal communities by granting them a degree of self-governance. The Schedule was added to the Constitution on September 7, 1949, following the recommendations of the North East Frontier (Assam) Tribal and Excluded Areas Sub-committee, popularly known as the Bordoloi Committee.
The Schedule is primarily connected to Article 244(2) of the Constitution, which mandates its application to these tribal areas. Its core mechanism is the establishment of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Regional Councils (RCs). These ADCs are endowed with legislative, executive, judicial, and financial powers. They can make laws on specific matters such as land, forests, inheritance of property, and social customs, which become effective only after receiving the Governor's assent. The Governor is also empowered to determine the administrative units, create new ADCs, or alter their territorial jurisdiction. The Sixth Schedule is distinct from the Fifth Schedule, which governs the administration of Scheduled Areas in all other states. A significant related concept is Article 244A, inserted by the Constitution (Twenty-second Amendment) Act, 1969, which empowers Parliament to create an autonomous State within Assam. The proposed 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen the financial and administrative powers of the ADCs.