The PESA Act was adopted in 1996 "to provide for the application of the Panchayat provisions of Part IX of the Constitution to Scheduled Areas."

Article 244(1) of the PESA Act applies the provisions of the Fifth Schedule to Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. The Fifth Schedule contains numerous particular provisions for certain regions.

The PESA Act was created to guarantee self-governance through Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) for Scheduled Area residents.

It respects the right of tribal communities residing in Scheduled Areas to govern themselves through their own systems of self-government and their customary rights to natural resources.

Source: The Indian Express

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/explained-pesa-act-background-aaps-election-promise-gujarat-8077958/