Recent Policy Notifications for Ladakh
On June 3, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu notified four crucial Regulations for Ladakh, a Union Territory since 2019. These regulations focus on reservation, languages, domiciles, and the composition of hill councils.
Key Regulations Notified
- The Ladakh Official Languages Regulation, 2025: Official languages include English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi.
- The Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025: Introduces 85% reservation for resident Ladakhis in government jobs.
- The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2025: Ensures one-third of seats in Leh hill councils are reserved for women.
- The Union Territory of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025: Details domicile criteria and overall reservation in government jobs reaches 95%.
Reservation and Domicile Criteria
- Non-local residents require a continuous 15-year stay in Ladakh from October 31, 2019, to qualify for a 5% job quota.
- Adding a 10% quota for Economically Weaker Sections, the total reservation in government jobs is now 95%.
Demographic Context
According to the 2011 Census, Ladakh has a population of 2,74,289, with nearly 80% tribals. Leh has a majority Buddhist population, while Kargil has a sizeable Muslim population.
Post-2019 Developments and Demands
Following the abrogation of Article 370 and the creation of Ladakh as a Union Territory in 2019, civil society groups began protesting for protection of land, resources, and employment.
Key Demands
- Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for tribal status and autonomy over land.
- Statehood for Ladakh.
- Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil.
- Filling existing government vacancies.
Government and Civil Society Negotiations
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a high-powered committee (HPC) to engage with civil society groups, though talks have faced several breakdowns. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite fast in October 2024 prompted a resumption of talks.
Future Outlook
While the domicile and reservation policies have been established, demands for Statehood and constitutional safeguards continue. Discussions are ongoing, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah assuring that all issues will remain under consideration.