International Journal of Development in Social Sciences and Humanities

The Inner Line Permit (ILP) system is an important mechanism for regulating the entry of non-residents into Arunachal Pradesh while protecting the identity, culture, and customary rights of its indigenous tribal communities. This study explores the perspectives of different stakeholders on the ILP system, focusing on its benefits, implementation challenges, and possible improvements. A qualitative research design was adopted, and data were collected through semi structured interviews with 25 participants representing different stakeholder groups. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings show that most participants consider the ILP essential for protecting indigenous identity and regulating migration. However, they also highlighted challenges such as delays in permit processing, limited public awareness, repeated permit renewals, and the need for better coordination among government agencies. Participants recommended simplifying the online application process, strengthening digital monitoring through proposed technologies such as QR code verification, improving coordination among government departments, and increasing public awareness. The study concludes that the effectiveness of the ILP depends on balancing the protection of indigenous interests with an efficient, transparent, and user friendly permit system. The findings provide useful insights for strengthening ILP policy and governance in Arunachal Pradesh.