Definition:
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, commonly called the Forest Rights Act (FRA), recognizes and vests individual and community forest rights in forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers whose rights were historically not recorded. It seeks to correct the historical injustice done to forest-dependent communities.

UPSC Prelims Pointers:
Recognizes both Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and Community Forest Rights (CFR); Gram Sabha is the starting authority for claims; covers rights over minor forest produce, grazing, habitat, community forest resources, and traditional access; applies to Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) subject to conditions; often asked with PESA, tribal rights, conservation, protected areas, and forest governance; common trap: FRA is not just about land titles — it also includes community and livelihood rights.