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Document Guide · Assam

How to Check Schedule VI Tribal Land in Assam — Complete Guide 2026

Tribal Land Assam is land protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and under Chapter X (Section 161) of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886. Schedule VI areas run on customary law and outsiders cannot buy. This guide shows how to check before you pay.

Quick Reference
Also calledSchedule VI Tribal Land / Tribal Belt and Block
Issued byVerification at Revenue & Disaster Management, DC Office
Valid forRestriction is permanent under the Constitution
CostFree on Dharitree / DC verification at no charge
Time takenInstant on Dharitree / 7-15 days at DC Office
Online portalilrms.assam.gov.in / dlrar.assam.gov.in
noteOutsiders cannot buy. Sale deed is void even if signed and stamped.
1

What is Schedule VI Tribal Land in Assam?

Definition

Schedule VI tribal land in Assam refers to land falling within the autonomous districts named in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, plus protected tribal belts and blocks notified under Chapter X (Section 161) of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886. Both regimes restrict land transfer to non-tribals.

Assam has three Sixth Schedule autonomous areas: the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR, formerly BTAD), the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC, Dima Hasao district), and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). Each Autonomous Council holds the power under Para 3(1)(a) to make its own land law. In practice, all three still adopt ALRR 1886 with district-specific amendments. The key effect: a non-tribal sale deed in these districts is legally void.

Beyond the Sixth Schedule, Assam also notifies Tribal Belts and Blocks across other districts. A 1945 government resolution earmarked any village where the Tribal Classes exceed 50% of population for protection under Chapter X. Sale, gift, or transfer of land within a notified belt to a non-tribal needs DC permission, and is rarely granted. The 2024 Amendment Bill added Heritage Belts within 5 km of structures over 250 years old, further restricting outside purchase. Three layers of restriction. All three apply on top of each other.

State-specific note: Schedule VI areas run on customary law administered by the Autonomous Councils. A non-tribal cannot buy. Sale deed is void on day one. No mutation. No bank loan. Walk away.
2

How to Check Tribal Land Status in Assam: Step-by-Step

You can verify whether land falls in a Sixth Schedule district, tribal belt, or block through Dharitree online and confirm at the DC Office. Keep the Dag, Patta, Mouza name, and the seller's caste certificate (or absence of it) in hand.

Online method (recommended)

1
Identify the district on Dharitree Open ilrms
assam.gov.in/dhar. Pick the district. BTR, Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao automatically fall under Sixth Schedule.
If the district is one of these four, stop here. No further check needed. You can't buy.
2
Pull the Jamabandi Search by Dag or Patta number
Check the "Class" and "Mouza Type" fields. A "Tribal Belt" or "Tribal Block" tag means Chapter X protection applies.
3
Verify pattadar's tribal status Read the pattadar name and the "Caste/Class" entry on the record
If the seller is recorded as ST (Hills) or ST (Plains), the land sits within tribal protection. Non-tribal cannot buy.
4
Check DLRAR notification list Visit dlrar
assam.gov.in. Cross-check the village name against the published Belt and Block notification. If the village is listed, transfer to a non-tribal needs DC permission, almost never granted.
Take a screenshot of both Jamabandi and the DLRAR notification. Useful evidence if a seller misrepresents.

Offline method (Sub-Registrar Office)

1
Apply at the DC Office Revenue Branch Walk into the DC Office in the jurisdictional district
Submit a written application with Dag, Patta, Mouza, and village name asking for the tribal status certificate.
2
Cross-check with the Autonomous Council If the land falls in BTR, KAAC, or NCHAC, also visit the Council's land office
They hold the customary law records, which override ALRR in many transfers.
3
Get the no-objection or rejection in writing The DC will either confirm the land is open for sale or reject the transfer under Section 161 ALRR
Don't accept a verbal answer.
4
Verify the seller's caste certificate If the land is in a tribal belt and the seller claims to be tribal, ask for his ST certificate issued by the competent authority
Without it, the patta itself is suspect.
A non-tribal seller in a tribal belt means the original patta was probably illegally transferred. Avoid completely.
3

What Does Tribal Land Verification Reveal in Assam?

Six fields on the records decide whether the land is open for sale or barred under Schedule VI or Chapter X.

Field Description What to Verify
District NameWhether it's BTR, KAAC, NCHACSixth Schedule districts are generally off-limits to outsiders
Mouza ClassificationTribal Belt or Block statusListed mouzas require DC permission for transfer
Pattadar Caste/ClassTribal or Non-tribal statusST pattadar in a notified belt/block = transfer is restricted
Notification YearYear when the belt/block was notifiedOlder notifications still remain legally valid
DC Permission OrderApproval from Deputy CommissionerMandatory if any prior transfer has taken place
Autonomous Council EntryBTR, KAAC, NCHAC land recordsCustomary law entries may override standard revenue records
Good sign: A clean non-tribal-eligible plot sits outside BTR, KAAC, NCHAC, has no Tribal Belt or Block tag, the pattadar is non-tribal, and the DC Office issues a clear "open for transfer" letter.
4

Common Issues With Tribal Land Purchase in Assam

Most outsiders walk into one of these six traps. Spot them before you pay anything.

Seller hides Schedule VI status
Land in BTR, Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, or Dima Hasao cannot be sold to a non-tribal. Seller markets it anyway, often with a "we'll handle it later" promise.
Fix: Check the district on Dharitree first. If it's one of these four, walk away on the spot.
Tribal Belt mouza disguised
The plot sits in a notified Tribal Belt mouza, but the seller doesn't mention it. The Sale Deed gets struck down at registration.
Fix: Cross-check the village name on dlrar.assam.gov.in against the Belt and Block list.
Fake ST claim by seller
Seller claims to be tribal to justify the sale, but lacks a valid ST certificate from the competent authority.
Fix: Demand the original ST certificate. Verify with the issuing SDO or DC Office before paying any token.
Power of Attorney workaround
Seller offers a long-term Power of Attorney instead of a Sale Deed. The Dima Hasao 3000-bigha transfer case showed how POA in Sixth Schedule areas violates the spirit of the law.
Fix: POA in Schedule VI areas confers no real ownership. Refuse it. The Council can void the arrangement.
Heritage Belt 5km zone
The 2024 ALRR Amendment restricts purchase within 5 km of structures over 250 years old. Sites include Charaideo Maidam, Rangghar, Batadrawa Than, and similar.
Fix: Check the plot's distance from any heritage site on Google Maps. Inside 5 km, only three-generation residents can buy.
Mutation rejection after sale
Sale Deed somehow gets registered. The Circle Officer refuses mutation under Section 161 ALRR. You're stuck with paper, not land.
Fix: Always get DC permission in writing before registration, not after. ##
5

Why Tribal Land Verification Matters for Land Buyers in Assam

Four reasons this single check decides whether your purchase is valid in law or void from day one.

📋
Sale to non-tribal is legally void Under Section 161 of ALRR 1886, any transfer of tribal belt land to a non-tribal without DC permission is void
The deed gets registered, money changes hands, mutation gets rejected. Total loss.
⚠
Sixth Schedule districts run on customary law BTR, KAAC, and NCHAC have constitutional authority under Para 3(1)(a) of Schedule VI to make their own land laws
Outsiders simply cannot acquire title. The Council can reverse any disguised transfer.
🏦
No bank loan, no clean resale Banks refuse loans on tribal belt land sold to non-tribals because the title itself is contestable
Resale to another non-tribal triggers the same Section 161 problem. Money sits frozen.
🔍
Assam-specific: Three-layer protection Schedule VI districts plus Chapter X Tribal Belts and Blocks plus the 2024 Heritage Belt 5 km zones around 250-year-old sites
All three layers apply on top of each other. A plot can fail any single one and still be illegal to buy.
Red flag: Seller is non-tribal in a tribal belt, offers a Power of Attorney instead of Sale Deed, dodges questions about DC permission, or pushes urgency before you visit the DC Office. Walk away.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can outsiders buy Tribal Land Assam in Sixth Schedule areas?
No. BTR, Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao fall under Schedule VI customary law. Non-tribals cannot acquire ownership. Any sale deed signed in these districts is legally void.
How do I check if land is in a tribal belt in Assam?
Open ilrms.assam.gov.in. Pull the Jamabandi. Read the Mouza Type and Caste fields. Cross-check the village on dlrar.assam.gov.in against the official Belt and Block notification list.
Which districts of Assam fall under Sixth Schedule?
Three autonomous areas: Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR, formerly BTAD), Karbi Anglong (KAAC, including West Karbi Anglong), and Dima Hasao (NCHAC). Each runs on customary land law administered by its Autonomous Council.
Can non-tribals buy land in BTAD or BTR?
No, in practice. BTR is a Sixth Schedule region. Land transfers to non-tribals violate the customary law of the Bodoland Territorial Council. Any such deed gets struck down on challenge.
What is a Tribal Belt and Block in Assam?
A protected area notified under Chapter X (Section 161) of ALRR 1886. Villages where tribal population exceeds 50% qualify. Transfer to non-tribals needs DC permission, which is rarely granted.
Is tribal land transfer in Assam ever legal?
Only with explicit Deputy Commissioner permission under Section 161 ALRR, and only between specified categories. Approval is rare. Most tribal-to-non-tribal transfers fail at mutation stage at the Circle Office.
Can I take Power of Attorney instead of a Sale Deed in Schedule VI, Assam?
No. POA in Sixth Schedule areas confers no real ownership. The Dima Hasao 3000-bigha case showed Autonomous Councils can void POA arrangements that violate the spirit of tribal land protection.
Can I get a Sale Deed registered in Schedule VI area in Assam?
Sometimes yes at the Sub-Registrar, but mutation will be rejected by the Circle Officer under Section 161 ALRR. Registration without mutation gives you paper. The Autonomous Council can void it.

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