Which Schedule of the Constitution of India contains special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the north-eastern States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram?

Introduction / Context:
The Constitution of India includes several Schedules that deal with specific subjects. One important area is the administration of tribal areas, particularly in the north eastern region, where special arrangements have been made to recognise traditional institutions and protect the rights of tribal communities. This question asks which Schedule contains special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The States mentioned are Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, all located in north eastern India.
- The question is specifically about special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in these States.
- The options list the First, Second, Third and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution.
- It is assumed that the learner knows that different Schedules have different functions, such as listing States, specifying emoluments or describing tribal area administration.

Concept / Approach:
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India provides for special administrative arrangements in certain tribal areas of north eastern States, including District Councils and Regional Councils with legislative, judicial and executive powers in specified matters. This is distinct from the Fifth Schedule, which covers Scheduled Areas in other parts of India, and from the First to Fourth Schedules, which deal with other subjects such as names of States and allocation of seats. The approach is to recall that the Sixth Schedule is the one associated with tribal areas in the specific north eastern States listed in the question.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is about tribal area administration in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. Step 2: Recall that the Constitution has two major Schedules dealing with tribal areas and administration: the Fifth Schedule and the Sixth Schedule. Step 3: The Fifth Schedule deals with Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in most parts of India, but not the special tribal areas of the listed north eastern States. Step 4: The Sixth Schedule specifically provides for Autonomous District Councils and Regional Councils in tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, granting them powers over land, forests, customary laws and local governance. Step 5: Compare this with the options: First, Second and Third Schedules have different functions and do not deal with tribal area administration. Step 6: Therefore, the correct answer is the Sixth Schedule.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard polity textbooks include a table summarising the content of each Schedule. In that table, the Sixth Schedule is described as dealing with the administration of tribal areas in the north eastern region, including provisions for District and Regional Councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. The First Schedule is listed as containing the names of States and Union Territories, the Second Schedule as detailing salaries and allowances of constitutional office holders, and the Third Schedule as containing forms of oaths. This confirms that the Sixth Schedule is the correct one for the subject described.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, First Schedule, is wrong because it lists the names of States and Union Territories and their territorial extent, not special tribal area administration.

Option B, Second Schedule, is wrong because it lays down the emoluments, allowances and privileges of various constitutional authorities such as the President, Judges and others.

Option C, Third Schedule, is wrong because it contains the forms of oaths or affirmations for Union and State offices and does not address tribal area governance.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to confuse the Fifth and Sixth Schedules since both relate to Scheduled Tribes and special areas. Students may remember that some Schedule deals with tribal areas but not recall which one applies to the north eastern States. Another error is to think of the First Schedule whenever States are mentioned, without noticing that this question is about special administrative provisions rather than just listing State names. To avoid such confusion, it helps to remember a simple association: Sixth Schedule for tribal areas in north eastern States and Fifth Schedule for Scheduled Areas in other regions.

Final Answer:
Special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are contained in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.