Abstract: The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA), was enacted to empower the tribal communities through local self-governance and decentralized decision making in  Scheduled Areas (tribal regions) in India. This study is to evaluate the implementation of PESA Act in Madhya Pradesh and to identify the key challenges and opportunities.

Despite the significant tribal population in Madhya Pradesh, the execution for PESA Act faces numerous hurdles including administrative inertia, lack of awareness along with resource constraints. Conversely, opportunities exist in leveraging traditional governance structures and enhancing community participation. Comparative insights from other states provide a broader perspective on effective strategies and common obstacles.

Keywords: PESA Act, Madhya Pradesh, tribal governance, policy implementation, Scheduled Areas.