Article 371 Special Provisions

Definition

The set of provisions in Articles 371 to 371J that grant special arrangements to certain States, mainly to protect tribal interests, regional development, and local customs.

Key points

• These are permanent special provisions, unlike the temporary Article 370 for Jammu and Kashmir.
• Article 371A (Nagaland) and Article 371G (Mizoram) protect customary law, social and religious practices, and ownership of land; Parliament cannot legislate on these without the State assembly's consent.
• Article 371F (Sikkim) was added on its accession in 1975 by the 36th Amendment.
• Article 371C (Manipur) provides a committee for the hill areas; Article 371H (Arunachal Pradesh) gives the Governor special responsibility for law and order.
• Article 371J (Hyderabad-Karnataka region) provides for development and reservation in education and jobs.

Why it matters for CAPF

The State-to-sub-article matching (especially 371A Nagaland and 371G Mizoram) is a common polity question, and these provisions underpin the federal handling of the sensitive north-east.

Common confusion

Article 371 provisions are permanent and protective, unlike Article 370, which was a temporary autonomy provision now made inoperative; they are not the same as the Sixth Schedule autonomous councils.

Parent note

special provisions articles 370 and 371