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Research Paper | Law | Volume 15 Issue 3, March 2026 | Pages: 1642 - 1647 | India
Tribal Laws in India and Tribal Conventions on Rights of Indigenous People Worldwide: A Critical Analysis
Abstract: India's tribal population reflects wide cultural diversity, yet a shared experience of marginalization shapes their relationship with the State and mainstream society. The constitutional framework, particularly the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, attempts to balance autonomy with integration, though the outcomes vary sharply across regions. While north eastern communities enjoy a degree of self-governance, tribal groups in peninsular India often remain under administrative control, with limited authority over land, resources, and customary systems. Legislative measures such as the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act sought to deepen local participation, yet their implementation has been uneven and, at times, counterproductive. In many areas, traditional governance structures have been weakened rather than supported, leading to declining participation and growing dissatisfaction. Resource extraction, displacement, and administrative inertia have further intensified tensions, prompting resistance movements and renewed demands for recognition of rights. At the same time, India's stance on international frameworks concerning indigenous rights reveals a complex position, where domestic protections exist but global definitions and standards are contested. The broader global context highlights similar struggles over land, identity, and collective rights, underlining the need for meaningful consultation, respect for customary practices, and equitable governance approaches that align development with dignity.
Keywords: tribal rights, indigenous communities, self governance, land and resources, customary law
How to Cite?: Abhinav Viswanath, "Tribal Laws in India and Tribal Conventions on Rights of Indigenous People Worldwide: A Critical Analysis", Volume 15 Issue 3, March 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1642-1647, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26327085658, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26327085658