What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

Trap 1: Confusing the number of districts (6) with the number of tribes (8). Trap 2: Linking the FNTA model directly to Article 371(C) (for Manipur) instead of its actual constitutional safeguard, Article 371(A) (for Nagaland). Trap 3: Stating the FNTA alters Article 371(A) when it specifically does not.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: The 6 districts covered: Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, Tuensang. 2. Target this Nodal Body: The Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO). 3. Target this Legal Point: The agreement preserves Article 371(A) of the Constitution.

PolityGovernance

Take AI Challenge ▸

News 1 of 20

Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Formed for Six Districts Under Article 371(A) to Grant Administrative Autonomy

Q: The Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) agreement specifically preserves which constitutional article?

Article 371(A), As stated in the article, the agreement for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) is achieved without abrogating or altering Article 371(A) of the Constitution, which provides special provisions for Nagaland.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA): 1. It was established through a tripartite agreement involving the Centre, the Nagaland Government, and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO). 2. The FNTA model is structurally identical to the Autonomous District Councils under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. 3. The agreement grants the FNTA legislative and executive powers over 46 specific subjects. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions the signing of a tripartite agreement between these three parties. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article compares the FNTA to the Hill Areas Committee under Article 371(C) in Manipur, not to the Sixth Schedule councils. Statement 3 is correct as per the article's details on the FNTA's powers.

Q: According to the article, over how many specific subjects will the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) exercise legislative and executive powers?

46 subjects, The article explicitly states that 'The FNTA will exercise legislative and executive powers over 46 specific subjects.' This is a key factual detail of the agreement's scope.

Q: What was a primary strategic reason for the Centre's eagerness to resolve the Eastern Nagaland issue through the FNTA agreement, as per the article?

To ensure stability in a critical buffer zone bordering Myanmar, The article states that the ENPO region is 'a critical buffer zone bordering Myanmar' and that leaving its population disillusioned was 'a major security risk'. Therefore, ensuring stability in this strategic area was a key driver for the Centre.

Polity Security & DefenceCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

22 Feb 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:February 5, 20266 districts46 subjectsArticle 371(A)

Bodies:Government of IndiaGovernment of NagalandEastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO)Ministry of Home Affairs

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.The Centre, Nagaland government, and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) signed a tripartite agreement on February 5, 2026, to form the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).

2.The FNTA offers legislative and executive powers over 46 subjects to six eastern districts (Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, Tuensang) without altering Article 371(A) of the Constitution.

3.This model is being examined as a potential constitutional innovation for resolving other regional autonomy demands, such as the Kuki-Zo demand in Manipur, but faces significant contextual hurdles.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The Government of India has signed a tripartite agreement to create the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), a semi-autonomous body for six 'backward' eastern districts of Nagaland. This 'devolutionary autonomy' model aims to address long-standing developmental grievances and political aspirations of eight Naga tribes, while preserving Article 371(A) and ensuring stability in a strategic border region with Myanmar.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Date of AgreementFebruary 5, 2026

Number of Districts Covered6 (Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, Tuensang)

Key Article ProtectedArticle 371(A)

Number of Subjects for FNTA46 subjects

1-Minute Revision

›Date of Agreement: February 5, 2026
›Number of Districts Covered: 6 (Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, Tuensang)
›Target this Data: The 6 districts covered: Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, Tuensang.
›Target this Nodal Body: The Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO).
›Target this Legal Point: The agreement preserves Article 371(A) of the Constitution.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

⚖️

Devolutionary Autonomy

The FNTA is an experiment in granting a high degree of administrative and financial autonomy to six backward districts within Nagaland.

🗺️

Strategic Buffer Zone

The region is a critical buffer zone bordering Myanmar, making its stability and alignment with national interests a key security consideration.

🔁

Model for Other Demands

The FNTA model is being discussed as a potential middle-path solution for other regional autonomy demands, like that of the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The demand for 'Frontier Nagaland' dates to a 2010 memorandum but is rooted in the British policy of leaving the eastern hills as an un-administered frontier, creating a 'developmental differential'. After Nagaland's formation in 1963, eight tribes in the six eastern districts felt politically and economically ignored by the western Naga-dominated power centre in Kohima, leading to a movement for a separate state.

Core Analysis & Implications

The FNTA agreement is a strategic pacifier. It addresses ENPO's political aspirations through a mini-Secretariat and legislative powers on 46 subjects like land and agriculture, reducing dependence on Kohima. The Centre's intervention was driven by the ENPO's 2024 Lok Sabha election boycott threat and the region's critical location bordering Myanmar, where disillusionment posed a security risk. Crucially, it innovates within the constitutional framework by not abrogating Article 371(A).

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The FNTA model demonstrates New Delhi's willingness to create 'territorial authorities' as a middle path. Its applicability to the Kuki-Zo demand in Manipur is debated. While structurally similar to Manipur's Hill Areas Committee (Article 371C), key differences include the absence of a willing state government partner in Imphal, active violent conflict, and overlapping territorial claims by groups like the NSCN, making a clean administrative carve-out far more complex.

Key Facts at a Glance

Date of AgreementFebruary 5, 2026

Number of Districts Covered6 (Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, Tuensang)

Key Article ProtectedArticle 371(A)

Number of Subjects for FNTA46 subjects

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) agreement specifically preserves which constitutional article?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA):

1. It was established through a tripartite agreement involving the Centre, the Nagaland Government, and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO).

2. The FNTA model is structurally identical to the Autonomous District Councils under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

3. The agreement grants the FNTA legislative and executive powers over 46 specific subjects.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

According to the article, over how many specific subjects will the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) exercise legislative and executive powers?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What was a primary strategic reason for the Centre's eagerness to resolve the Eastern Nagaland issue through the FNTA agreement, as per the article?

All 15 MCQs ▸

Read original article from The Hindu

You finished this topic

Practice 3 MCQs from this news Next Article

Explore Related Topics

PolityView Topic MCQs →Security & DefenceView Topic MCQs →

Next EU-India FTA Eliminates Tariffs on 96.6% EU Exports, 99.5% Indian Exports, Aims AI & Supply Chain Integration

Related Current Affairs

Polity Current Affairs

7 Years After Article 370 Revocation: J&K Still Awaits Statehood, Per Capita Income Ratio Falls to 76.6%

Seven years after the revocation of Article 370 and the loss of statehood, Jammu and Kashmir continues to face economic decline, high unemployment, and heavy-handed security measures. Despite Supreme Court advice to restore statehood, no timeline has been set. The article highlights the need for accountable governance through an elected administration, as the current Lt Governor-led rule lacks democratic accountability.

Polity Current Affairs

Seven Years After Article 370 Abrogation: J&K Statehood Delay Undermines Integration Gains

Seven years after the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir remains a Union Territory. While security gains and reduced separatism are notable, the delay in restoring statehood threatens to undermine the integration achievements. The article argues that withholding statehood now demoralises the electorate and breaches the Supreme Court's assurance of temporary UT status.

Polity Current Affairs

Centre Constitutes Pankaj Kumar Singh-led Committee for Gorkha Permanent Political Solution

After decades of demand for Gorkhaland statehood, the Union Home Ministry has set up a committee chaired by former Deputy NSA Pankaj Kumar Singh to finalise a 'permanent political solution' for the Darjeeling hills. The decision, announced at a meeting on August 22, 2026, comes when both Centre and West Bengal are under BJP rule, making it a politically opportune moment. The solution may involve creation of a separate state or Union Territory, with significant implications for West Bengal's integrity and India's strategic interests in the Siliguri Corridor.

Polity Current Affairs

MHA Seeks Input on Composition of Proposed Ladakh UT-Level Body Under Article 371(K)

The Centre is proposing a unique governance model for Ladakh under Article 371(K), avoiding statehood or full legislature. This has implications for federalism, constitutional amendments, and special provisions for regions. MHA's questionnaire seeks specifics on the new body's composition and powers, indicating progress in negotiations.

Polity Current Affairs

Centre Proposes Sui Generis Model for Ladakh Under Article 371(K), Needs 2/3 Parliament Majority

The Centre has proposed a unique 'sui generis' governance model for Ladakh, distinct from statehood or a UT with legislature. The new framework will be embedded via a constitutional amendment under Article 371(K), requiring a two-thirds majority in Parliament. This is a key development for aspirants tracking special provisions and Union Territory governance.

Polity Current Affairs

MHA Proposes Chapter K Under Article 371: Elected Body for Ladakh UT

The MHA has proposed a new constitutional provision under Article 371 (Chapter K) to establish an elected body with legislative powers for the Union Territory of Ladakh. This is a major structural reform addressing demands since Ladakh lost its special status in 2019, with key implications for federalism and UT governance.

Polity Current Affairs

Tamil Nadu: 29,108 Police Posts, 5,000 Women Recruits, Anti-Drug Force Announced

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay announced a major police expansion creating 29,108 posts over five years, with immediate recruitment of 10,000 personnel including 5,000 women. The state also launched a special anti-drug force and a 'Singapen Special Task Force' to combat crimes against women and children. A ₹212 crore modernization fund and increased compensation for police martyrs were also announced.

Polity Current Affairs

President Murmu Assents to Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026; State Renamed Keralam via Article 3

President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, renaming the state as Keralam. The bill amends the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3, following a resolution by the Kerala Assembly in 2024. This is a key example of the constitutional process for state name changes.

Start Today's Quiz(15 Qs)

Take Today's Quiz

15 Qs • 5-7 Mins

Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Formed for Six Districts Under Article 371(A) to Grant Administrative Autonomy

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Devolutionary Autonomy

Strategic Buffer Zone

Model for Other Demands

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance