PESA Mahotsav

PESA Mahotsav

  • Context:

  • The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is celebrating the PESA Mahotsav on December 23 and 24, 2025.

  • The event marks the anniversary of the enactment of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA).

  • The 2025 edition of the Mahotsav is being held in Visakhapatnam.

  • About the Event:

  • The primary objective is to spread awareness about the PESA Act and improve the capabilities of local-level bodies in Scheduled Areas.

  • The Mahotsav is envisioned as a landmark initiative that will showcase traditional sports like Chakki Khel, Uppanna Barelu, Cholo and Puli Meka, Mallakhamba, Pithool, Gedi Doud and Sikor; cultural heritage and tribal cuisine.

  • Its objective is to empower tribal communities by providing a nationally recognised platform to celebrate, preserve and promote their rich traditions.

  • Schedule Areas:

  • Tribal communities in India make up about 8.6% of the population.

  • Scheduled areas are the areas with significant tribal populations designated under Article 244.

  • The Constitution’s Fifth Schedule empowers the government to establish Scheduled Areas in states where Scheduled Tribes (STs) reside (not including the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram).

  • At present, 10 states have Fifth Scheduled Areas

  • About PESA Act, 1996:

  • While the 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1993) established Panchayati Raj Institutions, it did not automatically apply to Scheduled Areas

  • In 1996, the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) came into force, giving similar powers to tribal communities in Scheduled Areas to self-govern.

  • It extends decentralised democracy to tribal communities by empowering tribal Gram Sabhas.

  • Eight of the ten states with tribal Scheduled Areas have framed their PESA rules, while Odisha and Jharkhand have created draft rules.

  • Key Features:

  • It empowers tribal communities by granting them control over local resources, development, and social life.

  • It recognizes the traditional rights of tribals and protects them from land alienation.

  • It places the Gram Sabha at the center of self-governance

  • This ensures that tribal customs and traditions are preserved.