**Executive Summary: Property Rights for Tribal Women**
On March 25, 2026, the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, provided an update to the Rajya Sabha regarding the examination of property rights for tribal women. The briefing clarified that while the subject pertains to the Ministry of Law & Justice, the government is actively reviewing the legal framework surrounding succession rights for Scheduled Tribes (STs).
**Legal Context and Supreme Court Observations**
The update cited the Supreme Court’s judgment in Civil Appeal No. 6901 of 2022 (*Kamla Neti (Dead) through LRs Vs. The Special Land Acquisition Officer & Ors.*), reported in (2023) 3 SCC 528. In its ruling, the Court directed the Central Government to examine the following:
* **Withdrawal of Exemptions:** Whether it is necessary to withdraw current exemptions under the Hindu Succession Act that exclude Scheduled Tribes from its provisions.
* **Constitutional Equality:** Whether to introduce suitable amendments to ensure tribal women are granted property rights in alignment with the right to equality guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
**Current Regulatory Status**
In response to the judicial directive, the judgment has been officially referred to the Law Commission of India. The Commission is currently examining the Court’s observations in conjunction with the broader proposal regarding the Uniform Civil Code.
**Document Metadata**
* **Release ID:** 2244946
* **Date of Issue:** March 25, 2026
* **Originating Agency:** Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
* **Reference Case:** Civil Appeal No. 6901 of 2022
* **Visitor Counter:** 126
Key Entities Referenced
Hindu Succession Act: The legislation under review regarding its applicability to Scheduled Tribes to ensure equal property rights for tribal women.
Supreme Court of India: The judicial authority that directed the Central Government to examine the withdrawal of exemptions under the Hindu Succession Act for Scheduled Tribes.
Law Commission of India: The body tasked with examining the Supreme Court's judgment alongside the proposal for a uniform civil code.
Ministry of Law & Justice: The primary ministry responsible for the subject matter and the evaluation of legal amendments regarding tribal property rights.
Uniform Civil Code: The policy proposal under which the Law Commission is examining the extension of property rights to tribal women.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR TRIBAL WOMEN
Posted On: 25 MAR 2026 2:21PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey today informed Rajya Sabha that the
subject matter of the question pertains to the Ministry of Law & Justice. The Ministry of Law & Justice
has informed that:
“The Hon'ble Supreme Court, while dismissing the Civil Appeal No. 6901 of 2022 (Kamla Neti (Dead)
through LRs Vs. The Special Land Acquisition Officer & Ors.), reported in (2023) 3 SCC 528 had
observed as follows: -
"18. Therefore, though we dismiss the present appeal, it is directed to examine the question by the Central
Government to consider it just and necessary to withdraw the exemptions provided under the Hindu
Succession Act insofar as the applicability of the provisions of the Hindu Succession Act to the Scheduled
Tribes is concerned and whether to bring a suitable amendment or not. We hope and trust that the Central
Government will look into the matter and take an appropriate decision taking into consideration the right
to equality guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India."
In the light of the directions made by the Hon'ble Court, the judgement was referred to the Law
Commission of India with request to examine it along with the proposal relating to the uniform civil
code."
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(Release ID: 2244946) Visitor Counter : 126
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