What are Autonomous District Councils (ADC)?

Autonomous District Council is formed in each autonomous district under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution.

What are Autonomous District Councils (ADC)?
Table of Contents

Autonomous District Council Latest News

The elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council are scheduled for February 21.

About Autonomous District Council

  • The Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution provides a list of ten tribal areas in Assam (3), Meghalaya (3), Tripura (1) and Mizoram (3).
  • Each of these tribal areas constitutes an autonomous district. Each autonomous district has an Autonomous District Council (ADC). 

Membership of Autonomous District Council

  • They have up to 30 members with a term of five years.
  • Out of 30, four are nominated by the governor and the remaining 26 are elected on the basis of adult franchise.
  • Tenure of Autonomous District Council: Five years from the date of their constitution. 

Functions of Autonomous District Council

  • They makes laws on land, management of forests, except reserved forests, appointment of traditional chiefs and headmen, 
  • They make rules regulating the inheritance of property, marriage, divorce, the constitution of village courts, 
  • It can establish, construct or manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, ferries, fisheries, roads and so on in the district.
  • It can also make regulations for the control of money lending and trading by non-tribals. But such regulations require the assent of the governor.

Revenue source of Autonomous District Council

  • Taxes on professions, trades, callings and employment; taxes on animals, vehicles and boats;
  • Taxes on the entry of goods into a market and sale therein, and tolls on passenger and goods carried on ferries; and taxes for the maintenance of school, dispensaries or roads.

Autonomous District Council FAQs

Q1: What is the autonomous district council?

Ans: An autonomous district council is a form of self-governance set up in some parts of India

Q2: Who appoints the autonomous district council?

Ans: Governor 

Q3: What is the power of an autonomous council?

Ans: The main function of these Council bodies is to formulate various developmental schemes/project and to execute these in priority and need base manner.

Source: TH

Update Icon
Latest UPSC Exam 2026 Updates

Date IconLast updated on March, 2026

UPSC Final Result 2025 is now out.

→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.

Anuj Agnihotri secured AIR 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.

UPSC Marksheet 2025 is now out.

UPSC Notification 2026 & UPSC IFoS Notification 2026 is now out on the official website at upsconline.nic.in.

UPSC Calendar 2026 has been released.

→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.

UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.

→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.

→ Prepare effectively with Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Prelims Test Series 2026 featuring full-length mock tests, detailed solutions, and performance analysis.

→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2026 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.

→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Best UPSC Mentorship Program for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.

Shakti Dubey secures AIR 1 in UPSC CSE Exam 2024.

→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India

Vajiram Content Team
Vajiram Content Team
UPSC GS Course 2026
UPSC GS Course 2026
₹1,75,000
Enroll Now
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
₹2,45,000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mentorship Program
UPSC Mentorship Program
₹85000
Enroll Now
UPSC Sureshot Mains Test Series
UPSC Sureshot Mains Test Series
₹19000
Enroll Now
Prelims Powerup Test Series
Prelims Powerup Test Series
₹8500
Enroll Now
Enquire Now