The Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) plays a crucial role in the governance framework of India’s North Eastern states, addressing the aspirations of tribal communities for autonomy and self-determination. In Manipur, the legal framework governing ADCs differs from other states, with a unique history marked by the ADC Act of 1971. While the hill districts operate under ADCs, the valley districts have different local governance mechanisms. Despite persistent demands for extending the Sixth Schedule to Manipur’s hill areas, the ADCs faced suspension from 1988-89 until the introduction of the third amendment in 2008. ADCs regained activity from 2010 to 2020, but elections have been pending since 2020, raising questions about the government’s commitment. This paper focuses on Tamenglong district’s ADC, examining its financial sources and utilization from 2010 to 2020. The study aims to provide insights into ADC performance, acknowledging achievements and challenges, with the goal of offering recommendations to enhance their crucial role in local development.

ADC, grant-in-aid, internally-generated revenue, devolutions of functions, SFC, FC