Context

The Central Government has introduced a set of new regulations concerning land, jobs, and cultural preservation in the Union Territory of Ladakh, aiming to address longstanding concerns raised by local civil society since its formation as a UT in 2019.

Background:

• Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370, but without its own Legislative Assembly.
• Protests ensued in Leh and Kargil, demanding:
  • Statehood
  • Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule for tribal protection
  • Job reservations for locals
  • Parliamentary representation for both Leh and Kargil districts

Key Regulations Introduced

1. Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025
   • Introduces Domicile Criteria for recruitment into UT government posts:
     • 15 years of residence in Ladakh
     • 7 years of schooling with appearance in Class 10 or 12 exams in Ladakh
     • Children of central government employees who served 10 years in Ladakh
     • Spouses and children of Ladakh domiciles
2. Ladakh Domicile Certificate Rules, 2025
   • Lays down the procedure for obtaining a domicile certificate
   • Tehsildar: Issuing authority
   • Deputy Commissioner: Appellate authority
3. Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025
   • Caps reservation at 85% for SC, ST, OBC, and other backward groups (excluding 10% for EWS)
4. Ladakh Official Languages Regulation, 2025
   • Recognizes English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi as official languages
   • Mandates support for Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi for cultural preservation
5. Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2025
   • Amends the LAHDC Act, 1997 to reserve one-third of seats for women in Leh and Kargil Hill Councils through rotation

Limitations of the New Framework

• No Constitutional Safeguards:
  • Regulations made under Article 240 are executive in nature and can be altered at any time, unlike protections under the Sixth Schedule
• Lack of Land Protection:
  • No restrictions on land ownership by non-domiciles, raising fears of demographic changes, environmental stress, and unchecked tourism
• No Legislative Autonomy:
  • LAHDCs remain administrative bodies without legislative powers, unlike Autonomous District Councils under the Sixth Schedule
• Limited Cultural Measures:
  • While languages are officially recognized, there's no roadmap for their use in education, governance, or judiciary

The Sixth Schedule: A Comparative Insight

• Enacted under Article 244, the Sixth Schedule provides autonomous administrative divisions in tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura
• Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) enjoy powers over:
  • Land, forests, agriculture, village councils
  • Social customs, policing, inheritance, and mining
  • Legislative, executive, and judicial functions in tribal matters

Conclusion

• The new regulations represent an effort to address local demands for identity, employment, and cultural preservation. However, without constitutional backing, these changes remain limited in durability and scope.
• For long-term stability and trust, the Centre must engage with Ladakh’s stakeholders and explore stronger, constitutional mechanisms—such as inclusion under the Sixth Schedule—to ensure meaningful autonomy, ecological protection, and preservation of Ladakh’s unique heritage.