Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part A (2026)

This research paper explores the complex relationship between democratic decentralization and the lived experiences of Adivasi communities in Jharkhand, with a particular focus on Panchayat empowerment, tribal identity, and gendered participation. Through unstructured interviews across selected villages including areas where Panchayats have not yet been fully implemented the study captures the nuanced voices of local residents, traditional leaders, and women representatives whose realities often remain absent from formal policy narratives. By combining primary insights with an extensive review of scholarly literature, government reports, and journalistic accounts, the research reveals how constitutional promises such as PESA and PRI reforms continue to collide with ground level challenges of exclusion, weakened traditional governance, land conflicts, and persistent patriarchal norms.
The three analytical chapters illuminate both structural barriers and emerging possibilities: the resilience of tribal institutions, the tensions between states led development and sacred land rights, and the evolving leadership of tribal women in Panchayats. The concluding section argues that genuine decentralization in Jharkhand requires not only legal reforms but also social recognition, cultural sensitivity, and institutional trust building. Ultimately, the study positions grassroots participation as essential for strengthening inclusive democracy in India’s Scheduled Areas.