Revision summary
The Fifth Schedule gives the Governor special law and land powers in Scheduled Areas. A Tribes Advisory Council and a report to the President are mandatory tools. The aim is to stop tribal land alienation. In practice the powers are under-used. PESA and FRA still need that gubernatorial watch.
Model answer
Introduction
In Fifth Schedule areas the Governor is not a ceremonial copy of the state Governor elsewhere. The Schedule gives special legislative and reporting duties for tribal protection.
Body
Powers on paper
- The Governor may restrict or modify central and state laws in Scheduled Areas, especially on land and money-lending.
- A Tribes Advisory Council must be consulted. Annual reports go to the President.
- These tools are the constitutional brake on land alienation that Article 244 promised.
Practice
- Most Governors rarely use the law-making power. State cabinets still drive mines and acquisition.
- PESA and FRA need the Governor’s watch if gram sabhas are ignored.
- The role is therefore a dormant shield: strong in the text, weak unless politically invoked.
Flow diagram
flowchart TD G[Governor] --> L[Modify laws land credit] G --> T[Tribes Advisory Council] G --> R[Report to President]
Conclusion
The Fifth Schedule Governor is the Union’s tribal trustee in Scheduled Areas. The office matters when it actually restricts harmful law and land transfer.
Quick related
Students also ask
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Is this the same as the Sixth Schedule?
No. Sixth Schedule uses autonomous councils. Fifth Schedule uses the Governor and TAC.
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Can the Governor ignore the state cabinet?
The Schedule names personal responsibility. Political practice is usually cabinet-led.
PYQ trend
When UPSC asked this
Related PYQs from other years, newest first. Open a question to read it.
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2024 · Q2(a) · Anthropology GS 2 · 20 marks
Critically discuss the recent welfare measures initiated by the Government for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Comment why PVTGs were erroneously called Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs). -
2023 · Q4(a) · Anthropology GS 2 · 20 marks
Elucidate the problems faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and the major challenges in the formulation of special programmes for their development. -
2022 · Q5(d) · Anthropology GS 2 · 10 marks
Role of the Governor in the Fifth Schedule areas
More from this topic
Q2(a) · UPSC Mains 2024 · Anthropology GS 2 · 20 marks
Critically discuss the recent welfare measures initiated by the Government for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Comment why PVTGs were erroneously called Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs).
History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal development and their implementation. The concept of PTGs (Primitive…
PVTGs are 75 listed communities identified by vulnerability, not by a primitive essence. CCD plans, FRA habitat rights and PM-JANMAN (2023) are the main recent measures. Delivery still misses hamlets; mining and land loss can cancel welfare. Primitive Tribal Groups was an evolutionist and colonial name that ranked cultures. Particularly vulnerable correctly points to isolation and dispossession as historical facts.
Q4(a) · UPSC Mains 2023 · Anthropology GS 2 · 20 marks
Elucidate the problems faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and the major challenges in the formulation of special programmes for their development.
History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal development and their implementation. The concept of PTGs (Primitive…
PVTGs are about 75 ST groups listed after the Dhebar line, defined by fragile demography, pre-agricultural technology, and low literacy. Problems include forest loss, disease on contact, language-mismatched schools, and collapsed crafts such as Asur smelting. Programme challenges are bad lists, scattered hamlets, one-size housing, and under-used FRA habitat rights. Andaman contact ethics and PM-JANMAN saturation sit at opposite risks: neglect versus forced assimilation. Elwin’s limit on over-administration is still a design rule.
Q5(d) · UPSC Mains 2022 · Anthropology GS 2 · 10 marks
Role of the Governor in the Fifth Schedule areas
History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal development and their implementation. The concept of PTGs (Primitive…
The Governor is the Fifth Schedule’s special law-maker for Scheduled Areas. Regulations may cover land, allotment, and money-lending after TAC consultation. PESA adds Gram Sabha but does not delete the Governor’s scale. Samata showed what land rules can do; Xaxa showed weak use. Paper power exceeds political practice.
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