Governor’s Rule in Chakma Autonomous District Council | 15 Jan 2026

Source: TH 

Why in News?

The Governor of Mizoram has extended Governor’s Rule in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) for another six months, citing continued political instability despite the State Cabinet opposing the extension. 

  • Governor’s Rule was first imposed in the CADC in July 2025 due to prolonged political instability. 

Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) 

  • It was constituted in 1972 under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to protect the political and cultural interests of the Chakma people in Mizoram.  
  • It exercises legislative, executive, and judicial powers over designated subjects within its jurisdiction. 
  • The Chakma People: They are the second-largest Scheduled Tribe in Mizoram after the Mizo, speaking Chakma (Changma Bhajchare).  
    • They are a Buddhist community traditionally practising Jhum cultivation and are settled across the Chittagong Hill Tracts and parts of northeast India (primarily Mizoram, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh).

What are the Key Facts About the Autonomous District Council? 

  • Constitutional Basis: Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) are established under the Sixth Schedule read with Article 244(2) to provide self-governance to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram (AMTM).  
    • The arrangement seeks to protect tribal land, culture and customary laws while operating within India’s federal framework, reflecting asymmetric federalism 
  • Administrative Structure: Sixth Schedule areas are organised into Autonomous Districts, which may be further divided into Autonomous Regions. Each district has a District Council, and each region a Regional Council.  
    • The Governor has the authority to create, alter or reorganise these units, indicating strong executive oversight. 
  • Composition and Tenure: An ADC has a maximum of 30 members—26 elected and up to 4 nominated by the Governor.  Elected members hold office for five years, while nominated members serve during the pleasure of the Governor. 
  • Legislative Powers: District and Regional Councils can legislate on land, forests (excluding reserved forests), inheritance, marriage and social customs, and regulation of non-tribal moneylending and trade.  
    • All such laws require the assent of the Governor, limiting absolute autonomy. 
  • Applicability of Laws: Central and State laws do not apply automatically to Sixth Schedule areas. In Assam's autonomous districts under the Sixth Schedule, applicability is decided by the Governor (or the Council for specific subjects). 
    • In Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, Central laws require Presidential notification, while State laws require Governor’s notification. 
  • Governor’s Administrative Powers: The Governor may appoint a commission of inquiry into ADC administration and, based on its recommendations, dissolve a District or Regional Council and assume its functions temporarily. Such intervention, though constitutionally valid, is expected to respect the federal spirit. 
  • Under the Sixth Schedule, the Governor may appoint a commission of inquiry into ADC and, based on its findings, the Governor may dissolve the District or Regional Council and assume its functions temporarily.  
    • Although constitutionally permitted, this intervention often referred to as Governor’s Rule in Autonomous District Councils is expected to be exercised in consultation with the State Government and in a manner consistent with the federal spirit of the Constitution. 
  • Judicial Powers: ADCs may establish village councils or courts to try cases between Scheduled Tribe members.  
    • However, they cannot try cases involving the death penalty, life imprisonment or imprisonment of five years or more, unless empowered by the Governor. The High Court’s jurisdiction is defined by gubernatorial rules. 
  • Significance: ADCs enable tribal self-rule and protection of customary institutions, making them central to inclusive governance in the North-East. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What is the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC)? 
It is an Autonomous District Council constituted in 1972 under the Sixth Schedule to protect the political and cultural interests of the Chakma people in Mizoram.

2. What is Governor’s Rule in Autonomous District Councils? 
It refers to a situation where the Governor dissolves an ADC and temporarily assumes its functions after an inquiry, as permitted under the Sixth Schedule. 

3. Under which constitutional provision are ADCs established? 
ADCs are established under the Sixth Schedule read with Article 244(2) of the Constitution. 

4. Do Central and State laws automatically apply to ADC areas? 
No, their applicability depends on notifications—by the Governor or the President—varying across Sixth Schedule states. 

5. Why are ADCs important for North-East India? 
ADCs enable tribal self-rule, protect customary laws and land rights, and promote inclusive governance in tribal regions. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims 

Q. Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education? (2012)

  1. Directive Principles of State Policy 
  2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies 
  3. Fifth Schedule 
  4. Sixth Schedule 
  5. Seventh Schedule 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 

(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 3, 4 and 5 only 
(c) 1, 2 and 5 only 
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 

Ans: d

Q. The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to (2015)

A. protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes 

B. determine the boundaries between States 

C. determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats 

D. protect the interests of all the border States 

Ans: A