In short :
In June 2025, the Central Government notified new regulations to address the long-standing demands of Ladakh’s civil society, including job reservation, language recognition, and administrative decentralization. However, the region continues to demand Sixth Schedule inclusion.
Key Regulations Notified :
Ladakh Civil Services Domicile Regulation, 2025
- First-ever domicile-based reservation in UT jobs.
- Eligibility: 15 years residence, 7 years schooling + Class 10/12 in Ladakh, or children of central employees with 10 years of service in Ladakh.
Domicile Certificate Rules, 2025
- Tehsildar as issuing authority; Deputy Commissioner as appellate.
Reservation Regulation (Amendment), 2025
- SC/ST/OBC + SEBC reservation capped at 85%, excluding 10% EWS quota.
- Applies to job recruitment and professional college admissions.
Official Languages Regulation, 2025
- Recognizes English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi.
- Promotes Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi for cultural preservation.
LAHDC Amendment Regulation, 2025
- One-third seat reservation for women in Leh and Kargil hill councils.
Why is this significant?
- First attempt at region-specific governance since Ladakh became a UT in 2019.
- Reflects the Centre’s reluctance to extend Sixth Schedule protections.
- Responds to protests by LAB and KDA but stops short of constitutional guarantees.
Comparison with Jammu & Kashmir (Post-2019) :
Shortcomings in the New Framework :
- No constitutional protection: Regulations under Article 240 can be changed unilaterally by the Centre.
- No land safeguards: No restriction on land purchases by non-domiciles.
- No legislative autonomy: LAHDCs remain administrative, not legislative bodies.
- Lack of cultural roadmap: Language recognition not yet integrated into governance, education, or judiciary.
Ongoing Demands by Civil Society :
- Sixth Schedule inclusion (over 90% ST population).
- 30-year domicile requirement (instead of 15 years).
- Creation of a legislative assembly.
- Environmental and land protections in light of tourism and climate vulnerability.
CONCEPTS :
LADAKH
6th SCHEDULE :
- Applies to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram under Article 244(2).
- Tribal areas are designated as Autonomous Districts, which may be further divided into Autonomous Regions.
- Governor can alter boundaries and names of autonomous districts.
- District Councils (max 30 members) and separate Regional Councils are formed for governance.
- Councils can make laws on land, forests (excluding reserved), inheritance, and tribal customs.
- Laws by councils require Governor’s assent to become effective.
- Councils can set up courts for tribal disputes but not for serious crimes.
- Councils may levy taxes and collect land revenue within their areas.
- Councils can manage schools, roads, health centres, and local infrastructure.
- Acts of Parliament or State legislatures apply only with modifications, if at all.
- Governor can appoint commissions to oversee autonomous governance.
| UPSC Relevance GS2 – Governance & PolityRegulations made under Article 240 (President’s powers in UTs), No legislative assembly in Ladakh, No land protection like Jammu & Kashmir, Sixth Schedule demand for tribal autonomy and political representation GS1 – Society (Tribal Issues)90% ST population demands cultural safeguards, Push for protection of land, language, and ecology, Civil society demands stronger legal backing for identity and development Possible Mains Question: “Do executive regulations offer sufficient protection to tribal regions like Ladakh, or is constitutional status under the Sixth Schedule necessary? Discuss.” |