What is ADR?

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) refers to a set of mechanisms that allow parties to resolve disputes outside the formal court system.

• It includes processes such as arbitration, conciliation, mediation, and other mechanisms that are less formal, more flexible, and generally faster than traditional litigation.

• The primary idea is to reduce the burden on courts while ensuring justice and fairness.

Why ADR is Needed

India’s judicial system is currently facing a crisis of pendency and delays. ADR provides a solution for this.

Judicial Pendency

• Over 5 crore cases were pending in Indian courts as of March 2025 . Courts alone cannot handle such a massive load.

• The Supreme Court had 81,734 cases pending as of May 2025, slowing the delivery of constitutional justice.

• High Courts have over 62 lakh pending cases (India Justice Report – 2025), weakening appellate justice.

Judicial Vacancies

• High Courts have 33% vacant judgeships, and District Courts have 21% vacancies, increasing delays in hearings and judgments.

Low Judge-to-Population Ratio

• India has only 15 judges per million people, far below the 50 per million recommended by the Law Commission (1987).

Long-Delayed Cases

• Many cases in different jurisdictions are pending for 5–10 years or more, denying substantive justice.

Other Advantages of ADR

• Faster & Less Costly Resolution: ADR reduces procedural delays and legal costs, helping individuals and businesses avoid prolonged litigation.

• Boost to Economic Competitiveness: Efficient contract enforcement via ADR strengthens investor confidence and supports the Ease of Doing Business.

• Preserves Social Harmony: Mediation and conciliation encourage participatory settlements, helping maintain relationships in family and community disputes.

• Confidentiality & Autonomy: ADR ensures privacy, protecting business reputation and commercial secrets.

• Expert-Driven Justice: Domain experts as arbitrators provide technical, high-quality resolutions, reducing the likelihood of appeals.

• Filters Frivolous Litigation: Mandatory mediation can resolve avoidable disputes before they reach the courts, lowering the backlog.

• Digital Justice Expansion: Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) improves access, particularly for remote areas, and became especially relevant post-COVID-19.

• Culturally Accepted: Traditional dispute-resolution methods like panchayats make ADR familiar and socially trusted in India.

Constitutional and Legal Basis of ADR

Constitutional Basis

• Article 39A: Mandates the State to ensure equal justice and free legal aid, which underpins ADR initiatives like mediation and Lok Adalats.

Legal Framework

1. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (Amended 2021)

   • Provides the framework for arbitration and conciliation.

   • Establishes the Indian Arbitration Council to regulate procedures.

   • Fixes a maximum resolution period of 180 days.

   • Parties may exit mediation after two sessions if unsatisfied.

   • Promotes pre-litigation mediation to reduce court backlog.

2. Mediation Act, 2023

   • Mandates pre-litigation mediation for civil and commercial disputes.

3. Lok Adalats

   • Statutory dispute-resolution forums under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

   • Disputes are settled amicably with no court fees, and awards carry the force of a civil court decree.

4. Gram Nyayalayas (Village Courts)

   • Established under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 to deliver speedy, affordable justice in rural areas.

   • Primarily handle minor civil and criminal cases at the grassroots level.

Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Policy – NITI Aayog, 2021

• Phased Implementation: Infrastructure development → mainstream adoption → primary mode of dispute resolution.

• Light-Touch Regulation: Encourages innovation through flexible self-regulation rather than heavy government control.

• Technology Integration: Uses ICT tools for end-to-end digital resolution, improving accessibility and efficiency.

• Legal and Policy Reforms: Supports amendments to existing laws and introduction of mediation/data protection laws.

• Ethical & Design Principles: Ensures transparency, neutrality, accessibility, and data security in ODR platforms.

• Capacity Building & Awareness: Training professionals, developing infrastructure, supporting legal-tech startups, and raising public awareness.

Challenges of ADR in India

1. Low Public Trust & Awareness: Many citizens still view courts as the only legitimate venue for justice.

2. Capacity Constraints: Lack of uniform training standards for mediators and arbitrators affects quality.

3. Expensive Arbitration: High professional fees discourage MSMEs from using arbitration.

4. Weak Institutional Arbitration: India lacks enough world-class institutional arbitration centres compared to Singapore or London.

5. Judicial Interference:

   • Section 34 allows courts to set aside arbitral awards, reducing finality.

   • Section 37 allows appeals against Section 34 orders, further delaying enforcement.

6. Government as Major Litigant: Public sector entities often challenge awards, weakening ADR efficiency.

7. Digital & Cyber Barriers: ODR faces challenges like digital divide, weak rural infrastructure, and data privacy issues.

Way Forward

• Institutionalizing Mediation & Arbitration: Expand court-annexed mediation centres and global-standard arbitration hubs.

• Capacity Building & Accreditation: Create national certification and continuous training for ADR professionals.

• Limiting Judicial Interference: Restrict Section 34 and 37 interventions to uphold finality of awards.

• Mainstreaming ODR: Invest in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and multilingual platforms for nationwide access.

• Government as Model Litigant: Ministries and PSUs should comply promptly with ADR outcomes.

• Strengthening Grassroots Justice: Empower Lok Adalats and Gram Nyayalayas with better staffing, funds, and awareness.

Global ADR Case Studies

In summary, ADR in India is a response to judicial delays, vacancies, and high case backlogs. Its success depends on institutionalization, capacity building, technological integration, and public trust. ODR, Lok Adalats, and Gram Nyayalayas complement traditional courts by making justice faster, cheaper, and socially accessible.

Introduction

• The Ministry of Labour and Employment has released the draft National Labour & Employment Policy – Shram Shakti Niti 2025 for public consultation.

• The policy aligns with India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, aiming to create a modern, inclusive, and technology-driven labour ecosystem.

• It marks a shift from regulation to facilitation, redefining the ministry’s role as an “employment facilitator.”

• Focuses on collaboration among workers, employers, and training institutions using data-driven and integrated systems.

Legal Context

• Labour as a Concurrent Subject:

  • Listed in the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution, meaning both Central and State governments can make rules and laws.

• Labour Law Reforms:

  • The government consolidated 29 central labour laws into four simplified labour codes to reduce complexity, improve worker protection, and foster formal employment:

    1. Code on Wages (2019) – Regulates wages, minimum wages, and timely payment.

    2. Industrial Relations Code (2020) – Deals with trade unions, industrial disputes, and strikes.

    3. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020) – Ensures worker safety, health, and welfare.

    4. Social Security Code (2020) – Provides social security coverage, including provident fund, insurance, and pensions.

Core Objectives

The draft policy emphasizes:

1. Resilient workforce – Able to adapt to changes in technology, industry, and global market conditions.

2. Skilled workforce – Equipped with relevant skills for current and future industries.

3. Inclusive workforce – Gender, regional, and socio-economic inclusion to provide equal opportunities.

4. Prepared for global challenges – Handles technological disruption, climate change, and evolving supply/value chains.

Key Initiatives

A. National Career Service (NCS)

• Purpose: A Digital Public Infrastructure connecting job seekers, employers, and training institutions.

• Features:

  1. AI-enabled job matching & career guidance – Matches candidates to suitable jobs using artificial intelligence.

  2. Credential verification & skill mapping – Ensures workers’ skills and qualifications are certified digitally.

  3. Cross-sectoral & regional employment linkages – Connects opportunities across industries and states.

• Impact: Streamlines employment facilitation, reduces job mismatch, and improves accessibility.

B. Unified Labour Stack

• Integration of major national databases: EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation), ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation), e-Shram, and NCS.

• Benefits:

  1. Interoperable data systems – Facilitates better policy coordination across ministries and states.

  2. Continuous skill development & lifelong learning – Tracks worker skills and enables upskilling.

  3. Universal social protection & income security – Ensures all registered workers have access to benefits.

  4. Real-time labour market insights – Provides data-driven governance and policy-making.

C. Guiding Principles

The policy is founded on four pillars:

1. Dignity of Labour – Recognizes work as valuable, promoting fair wages and humane working conditions.

2. Universal Inclusion – Ensures opportunities for women, youth, differently-abled, and marginalized groups.

3. Cooperative Federalism – Encourages coordination between Central and State governments.

4. Data-Driven Governance – Uses technology and analytics for transparency and evidence-based policy decisions.

D. Seven Strategic Priorities

1. Universal & portable social security – Social security benefits are accessible anywhere in India.

2. Occupational safety & health – Reduces workplace hazards and promotes worker safety.

3. Employment & future readiness – Enhances employability through skill development and career guidance.

4. Women & youth empowerment – Encourages participation of women and youth in the workforce.

5. Ease of compliance & formalization – Simplifies processes for businesses and encourages formal employment.

6. Technology & green transitions – Promotes tech-driven jobs and sustainable “green jobs.”

7. Convergence through good governance – Streamlines policies and processes across ministries and states.

E. Women and Youth Empowerment

• Goals:

  • Increase female labour participation to 35% by 2030.

  • Promote youth entrepreneurship and career guidance.

• Key Initiatives:

  • Single-window digital compliance for MSMEs with self-certification and simplified returns.

  • Expanded career services through NCS platform.

  • Promotion of green jobs and pathways for transitioning into emerging industries.

Technology-Driven Governance

• Unified national labour data architecture ensures coherence and transparency.

• Digital initiatives include:

  1. AI-enabled safety systems – Monitors workplace hazards in real-time.

  2. Predictive analytics for workforce planning – Forecasts skill and employment trends.

  3. Annual National Labour Report – Provides policy insights to Parliament.

  4. Labour & Employment Policy Evaluation Index (LPEI) – Benchmarks state-level performance.

Implementation and Accountability

• Phase I (2025–27): Institutional setup, integration of social security systems.

• Phase II (2027–30): Rollout of universal social-security accounts, skill-credit systems, district-level Employment Facilitation Cells.

• Phase III (Beyond 2030): Full paperless governance, predictive policy analytics, continuous policy renewal.

• Monitoring: Real-time dashboards, LPEI index, and third-party evaluations for transparency and accountability.Expected Outcomes

1. Universal worker registration.

2. Social security portability across states.

3. Near-zero workplace fatalities.

4. Female labour-force participation at 35% by 2030.

5. Reduction in informal employment via digital compliance.

6. AI-driven labour governance across all states.

7. Creation of millions of green and decent jobs.

8. Establishment of a “One Nation Integrated Workforce” ecosystem.

The Shram Shakti Niti 2025 is a forward-looking, technology-driven labour policy that integrates digital systems, ensures inclusion, strengthens social security, enhances employment readiness, and emphasizes sustainability and governance. Its phased implementation, strategic priorities, and clear outcomes aim to prepare India’s workforce for the challenges of 2047.

Why in News

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently expressed concern over India’s drug safety regulations after at least 20 children died due to consuming contaminated cough syrups. The contaminated syrups identified were Coldrif (Sresan Pharmaceuticals), Respifresh (Rednex Pharmaceuticals), and ReLife (Shape Pharma). This tragedy highlighted critical gaps in regulatory enforcement, monitoring of pharmaceutical companies, and the need for a robust drug safety framework to prevent spurious, substandard, and toxic medicines from reaching consumers.

Regulatory Framework in India

India’s pharmaceutical sector is regulated through a multi-layered framework, combining central and state authorities to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines. Key components are:

a. Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 & Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945

• Purpose: Governs the import, manufacture, distribution, and sale of drugs and cosmetics in India.

• Objective: Ensures drugs meet the required standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.

• Significance: Provides the legal foundation for regulating the entire pharmaceutical sector in India.

b. State Drug Regulatory Authorities

• Operate at the state level under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

• Responsibilities include:

  • Granting manufacturing and retail licenses.

  • Conducting inspections of manufacturing facilities and pharmacies.

  • Monitoring compliance with quality standards and taking action against violations.

• Challenge: Oversight at the state level is often inconsistent, creating gaps in enforcement.

c. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

• Role: National Regulatory Authority under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

• Responsibilities:

  • Approves new drugs and conducts clinical trials.

  • Lays down standards for drug manufacturing.

  • Controls quality of imported drugs.

• Significance: Ensures uniformity of drug regulation nationwide.

d. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)

• Enforces provisions of the Drug Price Control Orders (DPCO).

• Ensures medicines are affordable while maintaining quality standards.

e. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

• Prescribed under Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules.

• Align with WHO guidelines.

• Aim to ensure drugs are manufactured in hygienic conditions, with strict quality control to prevent contamination or substandard production.

Challenges Leading to Spurious Drugs

Despite the regulatory framework, several factors contribute to the prevalence of substandard or adulterated drugs in India:

a. Regulatory Gaps

• Oversight by CDSCO and state authorities is fragmented and inconsistent.

• Weak monitoring allows non-compliant pharmaceutical companies to operate with minimal accountability.

b. Toxic Contamination / Substandard Medicines

• Investigations revealed some cough syrups contained diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent.

• Such contamination arises due to poor quality control, lapses in laboratory testing, and failure to adhere to GMP standards.

c. Supply Chain and Storage Issues

• Improper storage and weak cold chain management degrade medicines, making them unsafe for consumption.

• Poor distribution practices increase the risk of contamination and reduce drug efficacy.

d. Absence of Mandatory Recall Law

• India does not have a binding national law for mandatory recall of substandard or contaminated drugs.

• Though discussed since 1976, no enforceable recall mechanism exists, delaying removal of unsafe medicines from the market.

e. Rise of Online Spurious Drugs

• WHO estimates 1 in 10 medicines in low- and middle-income countries are substandard or falsified.

• Unauthorized online pharmacies have become a major channel for counterfeit drugs, which is difficult to monitor.

Recommendations for Strengthening Regulation

The Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers (2024-25) and WHO recommend urgent measures to improve regulation and enforcement:

a. Rigorous Enforcement of Laws

• Strict implementation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945 nationwide.

• Focus on eliminating spurious and adulterated drugs.

b. Swift Legal Action and Stronger Penalties

• Prompt prosecution of non-compliant manufacturers.

• Imposition of harsher penalties including fines and closure of facilities.

c. Strengthened Monitoring and Inspections

• Conduct regular inspections, especially in high-risk regions.

• Ensure compliance with GMP, GDP (Good Distribution Practices), and other safety standards.

d. Legally Enforceable GDP Guidelines

• Make CDSCO’s Good Distribution Practices (GDP) mandatory to maintain quality across the supply chain.

• Helps prevent degradation and contamination of medicines during transportation and storage.

e. Enhanced Inter-Agency Coordination

• Strong collaboration between regulatory authorities, law enforcement, and local agencies.

• Aims to dismantle networks producing counterfeit or unsafe medicines.

f. Enforcing Updated Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

• Mandatory implementation of updated GMP standards for all pharmaceutical manufacturing units.

• Ensures hygiene, standardized production processes, and quality testing.

g. Public Awareness Campaign

• Launch campaigns targeting consumers and healthcare professionals.

• Educate the public on identifying counterfeit drugs, reporting violations, and promoting safe consumption.

Conclusion

India’s pharmaceutical sector has a robust legal framework, but incidents like contaminated cough syrups reveal critical gaps in enforcement, quality control, and regulatory oversight. Strengthening inspections, implementing legally binding GDP and recall mechanisms, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and increasing public awareness are crucial to prevent such tragedies. A stronger regulatory ecosystem will ensure that medicines available in India are safe, effective, and reliable, safeguarding public health and reinforcing trust in the healthcare system

SC Allows Experienced Judicial Officers to be Appointed as District Judges

In the landmark case Rejanish KV vs K Deepa, a five-judge Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, ruled that sitting subordinate judges with at least seven years of prior Bar experience are eligible to directly apply for District or Additional District Judge positions. This ruling overturned earlier interpretations which limited the Bar quota exclusively to practicing lawyers.

Key Points of the Ruling

1. Overturned Precedents

• The SC unanimously overturned earlier judgments regarding Article 233(2) of the Constitution.

• Previous cases, such as Rameshwar Dayal v State of Punjab (1960) and Chandra Mohan v State of UP (1966), were misinterpreted in Satya Narain Singh v High Court of Judicature at Allahabad (1985).

• This misinterpretation had eventually led to rulings like Dheeraj Mor, which excluded judicial officers from the Bar quota.

• The Court clarified that judicial officers with 7 years of prior Bar experience are eligible for direct appointment under the Bar quota.

2. Eligibility Criteria

• Both advocates and judicial officers must be at least 35 years of age as on the date of application.

• This ensures parity in eligibility while maintaining standards for experience and competence.

3. Amendment of Recruitment Rules

• State governments, in consultation with High Courts, are directed to amend existing rules or frame new rules within three months to align with the judgment.

• The amendment ensures that judicial officers with prior Bar experience can apply without legal obstacles.

4. Prospective Application

• The judgment applies prospectively, meaning it will not affect applications or selections completed prior to this decision.

• However, it applies to cases where interim orders were passed by High Courts.

5. Justice M.M. Sundresh’s Concurring Opinion

• Justice Sundresh highlighted issues of judicial independence and constitutional intent:

  • The framers of the Constitution left eligibility open-ended for in-service judges, while specifying criteria for advocates.

  • Treating judges as mere state employees and barring them from higher posts would weaken judicial independence.

  • Imposing a total bar on judicial officers violates Article 14 (equality) by creating an unconstitutional quota favoring advocates.

Key Legal Reasoning

1. Interpretation of Article 233

• Article 233(1): Deals with appointments, promotions, and postings to District Judge positions.

• Article 233(2): Specifies qualifications for advocates and pleaders.

• The Court emphasized a holistic reading, concluding that excluding judicial officers with prior Bar experience was inconsistent with constitutional intent.

2. Doctrine of Stare Decisis

• While courts generally follow precedent, the SC noted that stare decisis cannot perpetuate an incorrect interpretation of law.

• Excluding qualified judicial officers due to prior misinterpretation of Article 233 was considered unjust and legally unsound.

3. Inclusivity and Meritocracy

• The ruling emphasizes the importance of drawing the best talent into the judiciary.

• Judicial officers with prior Bar experience possess dual perspectives—practical courtroom experience as advocates and administrative experience as judges—strengthening the district judiciary.

Conclusion

The Rejanish KV vs K Deepa verdict is a landmark decision reinforcing judicial independence, inclusivity, and meritocracy. By allowing subordinate judges with prior Bar experience to compete under the Bar quota, the Supreme Court ensures that the district judiciary benefits from both experienced advocates and capable judicial officers, while correcting decades of restrictive interpretations of Article 233(2).

Special Gram Sabhas have been organized across over 1 lakh tribal-dominated villages and tolas under the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, where the Tribal Village Vision 2030 Declaration was adopted. These declarations serve as a blueprint for holistic tribal development, identifying village-level priorities in areas such as education, health, livelihood, social and financial inclusion, and infrastructure. The initiative marks a shift from conventional top-down development approaches to community-led, participatory governance.

Tribal Village Vision 2030 Declaration

The Vision 2030 Declaration lays out actionable goals for each village, aiming to address the socio-economic needs of tribal communities. To operationalize these goals, Adi Sewa Kendras have been established in every village, acting as single-window citizen service centers. Villagers contribute one hour per week (Adi Sewa Samay) to support community development and administration. This participatory approach strengthens local governance, empowers communities, and ensures accountability at the grassroots level.

About Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan

The Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan is a national movement launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to build a decentralized tribal leadership and governance ecosystem. It is considered the world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership programme, covering 11 crore citizens in 30 states and union territories. Its key objectives include training and mobilizing 20 lakh tribal changemakers, facilitating village-level planning through the Vision 2030 Action Plans, promoting last-mile service delivery, and amplifying the voices of tribal communities. The program rests on three pillars of leadership: Adi Karmayogi (leadership), Adi Sahyogi (support), and Adi Saathi (companionship), fostering collaborative governance.

Tribal Governance Framework in India

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, established in 1999, provides a structured approach to the socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes. Key constitutional and legal provisions include:

1. Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA):

   • Empowers Gram Sabhas in tribal areas to exercise self-governance.

   • Grants authority over local resources, land transfers, and socio-economic development.

   • Preserves tribal culture, customs, and decision-making processes.

2. Fifth and Sixth Schedule:

   • Sixth Schedule: Grants autonomy to tribal areas in northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

   • Fifth Schedule: Governs administration of Scheduled Areas in other states.

3. Customary Tribal Institutions:

   • Traditional bodies like Adivasi Sabhas and Tribal Panchayats continue to play a role in governance, resource management, conflict resolution, and cultural preservation, often co-existing with formal Panchayat systems.

Importance of Grassroots Participation

Promoting tribal participation in governance ensures inclusiveness, trust-building, transparency, accountability, and social justice. For instance:

• Inclusiveness: Social audits under MGNREGA allow local communities to monitor fund utilization.

• Trust-building: Gram Sabhas strengthen community trust in government institutions.

• Accountability: RTI empowers citizens to hold authorities accountable.

• Raising Concerns: Environmental Impact Assessments enable tribals to voice concerns over development projects.

• Social Justice: Political participation gives marginalized communities representation in governance and leadership roles.

Challenges in Tribal Governance

Despite constitutional safeguards, tribal governance faces several issues:

1. Gaps in PESA Implementation: Many states have been slow to adopt PESA provisions. For example, Jharkhand has yet to fully implement PESA.

2. Limited Voice in Decision-Making: Formal Panchayats often fail to represent tribal interests, and Tribes Advisory Councils in Fifth Schedule states remain largely ineffective.

3. Land Alienation and Displacement: Tribals are vulnerable to losing land to outsiders and development projects, even in Sixth Schedule areas.

4. Poor Implementation of Welfare Policies: Schemes like the Forest Rights Act (FRA) often suffer from weak execution; over 38% of FRA land claims were rejected by November 2022.

5. Socio-Economic Marginalization: High poverty levels persist (45% in rural and 24% in urban areas), with low literacy rates among Scheduled Tribes (72.1% as per 2022 PLFS report), limiting access to opportunities.

Initiatives for Tribal Development

To address these challenges, the government has launched multiple schemes:

• PM JANMAN: Time-bound socio-economic development initiative for 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

• DAJGUA: Focuses on developing infrastructure and socio-economic conditions in tribal-majority villages.

• Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST): Mandates allocation of budget by 41 ministries/departments for tribal development.

• PM Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): Transforms tribal villages into model villages covering about 40% of the tribal population.

• Education Development: Initiatives like Eklavya Model Residential Schools, National Fellowship Scheme, Pre-Matric and Top Class Scholarships.

• Promotion of Entrepreneurship: Programs like Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission, and TRIFED’s TRIBES India outlets promote tribal self-reliance and income generation.

• Tribes in India

India is home to a rich diversity of tribal communities, collectively recognized under Article 342 of the Constitution as Scheduled Tribes (STs). As per the latest estimates, India has approximately 110 million tribals, spread across 18 states. Tribal communities are known for living sustainable lives in harmony with nature, maintaining traditional knowledge systems, art, culture, and social practices that are centuries old.

However, many tribal communities face challenges due to marginalization, economic deprivation, loss of habitat, and cultural erosion, making it essential to focus not only on their population protection but also on the preservation of their heritage, language, and traditional practices.

Importance of Tribal Communities

1. Safeguarding Biodiversity: Tribals have historically played a vital role in preserving forests, flora, and fauna through sacred groves and sustainable practices, acting as natural conservators.

2. Repository of Traditional Knowledge: Tribal communities possess ancestral expertise in climate adaptation, disaster mitigation, and sustainable resource use, crucial for modern environmental strategies.

3. Sustainable Livelihood Practices: Indigenous crops and farming techniques are highly resilient, able to withstand droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures, supporting climate-resilient agriculture.

4. Gender Equality and Social Harmony: Tribal societies are often more gender-inclusive, with women actively participating in subsistence activities, contributing to economic and social balance.

Protection and Upliftment of Tribes

1. Constitutional Protection

• The term “Scheduled Tribes” appears in the Constitution of India, defining tribal communities and specifying procedures for their recognition:

  • Article 366(25) defines scheduled tribes as communities recognized under Article 342.

  • Article 342 prescribes procedures for specifying STs.

• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): Initially classified as “Primitive Tribal Groups” by the Dhebar Commission (1973), renamed PVTGs in 2006, recognizing the need for focused welfare interventions.

• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): Established under Article 338-A to safeguard tribal rights, monitor welfare schemes, and advise the government.

2. Protection of Civil Rights

• Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: Punishes untouchability and protects marginalized groups, including tribals.

• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: Ensures legal protection against crimes and discrimination targeting SCs and STs, including special courts for speedy justice.

• Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA): Empowers Gram Sabhas in tribal areas to manage local resources and governance.

• Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006: Grants individual and community rights over land, forests, and resources, ensuring security of habitation and livelihood for tribals.

3. Political Protection and Governance

• Scheduled Areas: Regions with a significant tribal population, governed under special provisions to protect cultural, economic, and political interests.

  • Fifth Schedule: Administers Scheduled Areas and Tribes in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, giving the central government powers to safeguard tribal interests.

  • Sixth Schedule (Article 244): Provides for autonomous governance of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, allowing local councils to manage administration, development, and resources.

Measures for Economic Upliftment and Welfare

• Special schemes by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs aim to improve education, skill development, and employment for tribal youth.

• Health and Nutrition Initiatives: Programs to ensure better healthcare access in remote tribal areas.

• Skill Development & Entrepreneurship: Training and financial assistance to promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.

• Cultural Preservation: Support for tribal arts, crafts, language, and festivals, ensuring heritage preservation alongside economic development.

Conclusion

The Tribal Village Vision 2030 and Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan reflect a transformative shift in India’s approach to tribal development. By emphasizing community-led governance, local planning, and grassroots leadership, these initiatives aim to empower tribal communities, strengthen self-governance, and ensure inclusive socio-economic development. This represents a move away from traditional top-down welfare models toward participatory, decentralized tribal governance