Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 4: In a landmark decision aimed at addressing the long-pending demands of Ladakh’s native population, the Central government on Tuesday approved sweeping reforms to protect the Union Territory’s cultural, linguistic, and economic rights. The decision includes an 85% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for local residents and a mandatory 33% reservation for women in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC).

The move comes nearly five years after Article 370 was abrogated and Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory from Jammu and Kashmir. Since then, locals have been pressing for constitutional safeguards to preserve their identity and land rights.

The Centre's decision is based on the recommendations of a High-Powered Committee (HPC) chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, which held detailed discussions with civil society representatives from the region.

As per the official notification, three key regulations have been promulgated by the President of India:

1. Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025 – This modifies the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, to allow up to 85% reservation for Ladakhis in government jobs and professional institutions, excluding the existing 10% quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

2. Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025 – It defines the domicile eligibility for residents of Ladakh. A person must have either resided in Ladakh for 15 years, studied for seven years and passed Class 10 or 12 exams from a local school, or be a child/spouse of someone meeting these criteria. Children of Central Government officials who served in Ladakh for 10 years are also eligible. The domicile certificates will be issued by the local tehsildar or a designated officer of the UT administration.

3. Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Regulation, 2025 – This ensures that not less than one-third of all seats in both the Leh and Kargil councils will be reserved for women, to be rotated across constituencies. The provision aligns with the national spirit of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which mandates 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies.

In addition, the Centre has formally recognised English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi as official languages of Ladakh. Institutional mechanisms will be strengthened to promote endangered native languages such as Shina (Dardic), Brokskat (Dardic), Balti, and Ladakhi.

This announcement follows the Centre’s December 2023 assurance to Ladakhi leaders to safeguard the region's identity and development interests. As part of its administrative reforms, the Centre also created five new districts in August 2024 — Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang — further decentralising governance.

While the demand for Sixth Schedule status remains unfulfilled, the new regulations are seen as a major step toward fulfilling the aspirations of Ladakhis, offering a structured legal framework for preserving their distinct identity and ensuring equitable development.