Previous Year Question
The provisions of the sixth Schedule of Indian Constitution are applicable in which of the following states?
Tripura
Sikkim
Nagaland
All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution is linked with Articles 244(2) and 275(1). It provides special arrangements for the administration of specified tribal areas in north-eastern India. Under the present constitutional text, it applies to specified Tribal Areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Therefore, among the options given, only Tripura is covered by the Sixth Schedule. Sikkim and Nagaland are not Sixth Schedule States.
The Sixth Schedule permits Tribal Areas to be organised into Autonomous Districts and Autonomous Regions. It also provides for District Councils and Regional Councils, which exercise specified legislative and administrative powers over local matters.
A useful fact concerning Tripura is that the 49th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1984 brought Tripura within the Sixth Schedule framework, with the relevant changes taking effect from 1 April 1985. Part IIA of the Table in the Sixth Schedule relates to the Tripura Tribal Areas District.
Thus, the useful examination association is—Sixth Schedule → Assam + Meghalaya + Tripura + Mizoram → Articles 244(2), 275(1).