The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in Meghalaya has amended its rules so that a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate is compulsory for contesting council elections. Non-tribal residents, even permanent inhabitants, are now excluded. The council functions under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grants autonomy to tribal areas. An earlier notification on this rule had been struck down by the High Court for procedural lapses, prompting a formal amendment. The step seeks to protect tribal identity and self-governance.