Context: Recently, there has been a widespread demand for implementation of Article 244A for the creation of an autonomous State within state of Assam. 
Background

• The appeal to the Centre has been for the creation of an autonomous State for the Karbi Anglong region.
• This has been a demand since 1986.
• The districts are currently governed by two autonomous councils Karbi Anglong and North Cachar hills.

Definition of Scheduled and Tribal Areas

• The areas inhabited by the socially and educationally backward ‘Aboriginals’ are called Scheduled Areas.

Administration of Scheduled and Tribal Areas

• There are two schedules (5th and 6th) of the Indian Constitution which entail the details about the control and management of the Scheduled and Tribal Areas.

Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution

• The provisions regarding the administration and control of Scheduled and Tribal Areas of any state except the four states (Assam, Meghalaya,Tripura, Mizoram) are mentioned under this schedule.
• At present, 10 States namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana have Fifth Schedule Areas.

Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution

• This schedule deals with the administration and control of the scheduled and tribal areas of the four states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.

Difference Between 5th Schedule and 6th Schedule Areas

• While both the areas under 5th schedule and 6th schedule have dominance of the tribal people, constitution calls them with different names viz. Scheduled Area under 5th schedule while Tribal areas under 6th schedule.
• While executive powers of the union extend in Scheduled areas with respect to their administration in 5th schedule; the 6th schedule areas remain within executive authority of the state.
• While 5th schedule envisages creation of Tribal Advisory Council , 6th schedule provides for District Councils and Regional Councils with certain legislative and judicial powers.

Scheduled and Tribal Areas are dealt with two articles
Article 244

• This article deals with the administration of the Scheduled and Tribal Areas.
• It defines Scheduled Areas as the areas defined so by the President of India and are mentioned in the fifth schedule of the Constitution.

Article 244A

• Formation of an autonomous state comprising certain tribal areas in Assam and creation of local legislature or Council of Ministers or both therefore.