The Hindu: Published on 6th June 2025:
Why in News?
On June 3, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu notified four key regulations for the Union Territory of Ladakh, reshaping its policies on government job reservation, domicile criteria, official languages, and hill council composition. This comes amid sustained civil society pressure for constitutional safeguards post the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35A in August 2019.
What’s New in Ladakh’s Reservation Policy?
85% government job reservation for resident Ladakhis.
10% quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
5% quota for domiciled non-locals (must have lived in Ladakh for 15 years since Oct 31, 2019).
Total reservation now stands at 95%, among the highest in India.
Tehsildars empowered to issue domicile certificates.
Other Policy Highlights:
Official Languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi.
Women’s Reservation: One-third of seats in Leh Hill Council reserved for women, rotationally.
Amended regulations include:
Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation
Ladakh Official Languages Regulation
Hill Development Councils Amendment
Reservation Amendment Regulation
Background:
Post-2019 Reorganization: Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislature, unlike Jammu & Kashmir.
With Article 35A removed, locals feared losing land, jobs, and identity to outsiders.
Mass Protests: Led by groups like the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
Demand for Protection: Similar to that under Article 35A—land, jobs, and demographic safeguards.
What are Ladakh's Four Key Demands?
Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (for tribal autonomy).
Full Statehood for Ladakh.
Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
Filling of vacant government posts in the region.
Impact of the New Policy:
Partial Satisfaction: Only the government job reservation demand is met.
Statehood and land protection still unresolved.
Seen as a tactical move to reduce unrest and buy time while keeping major demands open for dialogue.
What Lies Ahead?
The LAB and KDA have made it clear they will continue pressing for:
Statehood:
Tribal status via the Sixth Schedule
Land and resource protection
Talks will continue with the Union government, as confirmed by LAB leaders.
Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly assured that the remaining issues are "under discussion".
Conclusion:
The government’s notification is a significant but partial step in addressing Ladakh's concerns. While it fulfills one key demand—job protection for locals—the larger political aspirations of the region, especially Statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion, remain unresolved, keeping the negotiation table active.
