← 15 September 2026's Current Affairs · Polity GS-2 Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★★★
Concerns raised over shrinking Gram Sabha powers in tribal land matters
Why in News?
One village body can block land deals in tribal areas — PESA's power now eroding
Concerns have been raised over the erosion of Gram Sabha powers under PESA, 1996 in decisions affecting tribal land.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2012; GS-2 core
What you need to know
2 min read
Concerns have been raised over the erosion of Gram Sabha powers in decisions affecting tribal land in Scheduled Areas.
The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) extends the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution relating to Panchayats to Fifth Schedule Scheduled Areas, with modifications suited to tribal customs.
PESA empowers Gram Sabhas to approve village development plans, manage minor forest produce and be consulted before land acquisition in these areas.
Sources: The Hindu · Topper IAS editorial
Key facts
Remember these
- PESA, 1996 extends Part IX Panchayat provisions to Fifth Schedule Scheduled Areas with modifications for tribal customs
- Gram Sabhas under PESA must approve village development plans before they are taken up
- Gram Sabhas are empowered to manage minor forest produce in Scheduled Areas
- Prior consultation with the Gram Sabha is mandated before land acquisition in Scheduled Areas
- Concerns have now been raised over erosion of these Gram Sabha powers in tribal land decisions
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- PESA, 1996 extends Part IX of the Constitution to Fifth Schedule Scheduled Areas, with modifications suited to tribal customs
- Under PESA, the Gram Sabha must be consulted before land acquisition in Scheduled Areas
- The Gram Sabha under PESA has the power to manage minor forest produce
- The Gram Sabha approves village development plans in Scheduled Areas
Mains
GS Paper 2 - Polity/Panchayati Raj in Scheduled Areas. The erosion of Gram Sabha authority under PESA, 1996 weakens tribal self-governance and the mandatory consultation safeguard before land acquisition in Fifth Schedule areas, risking land alienation and conflict with the spirit of the Forest Rights Act; the way forward lies in stricter state-level enforcement of PESA rules and harmonising state panchayat laws with the central Act.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha?
- Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas.
- Gram Sabha has the ownership of minor forest produce.
- Recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting prospecting licence or mining lease for any mineral in the Scheduled Areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
With reference to the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA), consider the following statements:
- It extends the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution relating to Panchayats to Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule.
- Gram Sabhas in PESA areas have no role in approving village development plans or in managing minor forest produce.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: A — PESA, 1996 extends Panchayat provisions to Fifth Schedule Scheduled Areas, making statement 1 correct. It in fact empowers Gram Sabhas to approve development plans and manage minor forest produce, making statement 2 incorrect.
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