BharatNotes
Inner Line Permit (ILP)
/ˈɪnər laɪn ˈpɜːrmɪt/A special document issued by the state government that Indian citizens from other states must obtain before entering certain protected states in Northeast India — currently applicable to Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur — designed to protect the indigenous tribal populations from demographic change, commercial exploitation, and cultural dilution.
Context & Background
The ILP system originates from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873, which the British introduced to protect tribal territories from outsider exploitation. Manipur was added to the ILP regime in 2019. The ILP restricts the duration, area, and purpose of a visitor's stay and must be obtained from the respective state's Resident Commissioner or designated authorities.
UPSC Exam Relevance
GS2 (Governance, Polity). Prelims: which 4 states require ILP; origin (1873 Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation); Manipur added 2019. Mains: ILP as a tool for indigenous protection vs freedom of movement debate; compare with Sixth Schedule and Forest Rights Act.
