Local self-governance in Fifth Schedule Areas of India: analytical framework using the Fuzzy Delphi Method

Fifth Schedule Areas (FSAs) in India are regions designated to protect the cultural identity, rights and welfare of Scheduled Tribes, constituting 8.6% of the population. These areas are governed through the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act 1996, which empowers tribal communities/Adivasis with local self-governance. The societies of Indigenous and tribal people often play a valuable role in the sustainable management of natural resources in their environments, and the PESA Act aims to enable participatory decision-making, ensuring control over their natural resources and safeguarding culture. However, even 28 years after the PESA Act was introduced, in Jharkhand State, the PESA Act remains unimplemented despite its legislative mandate. In this paper, the four dimensions of local self-governance: ‘Framework of autonomy’, ‘Functions’, ‘Finances’ and ‘Functionaries’ are identified, which are further divided into 34 sub-indicators for developing the analytical framework by systematically explaining and analysing the devolution in the FSA of Jharkhand State. Further, a Delphi survey was conducted among a panel of 17 experts from academia, administration, law and policymaking. The Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) is then used as an inferential analytical framework for selecting the 23 key indicators to be emphasised, further validated in the field, underscoring the need for policies that support local autonomy, transparency and community involvement in participatory planning. The framework’s adaptability and actionable policy recommendations offer significant potential for replicability in other governance contexts, both within India and globally, to enhance inclusive and sustainable development.