The administration of Ladakh is set to submit the recommendations of a high-level committee regarding the creation of five new districts to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on or after April 15, 2025. The proposal, once approved, will see Ladakh’s total districts increase from two to seven, marking a significant administrative reorganization in the Union Territory.

In India, the creation of new districts is generally carried out by state or union territory administrators based on factors such as population size, geographical area, administrative convenience, and local governance needs. The decision to create new districts is often influenced by the necessity to improve governance, bring administration closer to the people, and ensure efficient delivery of public services.

Proposal for New Districts

A high-level committee, formed last year, has recommended the creation of five new districts, dividing them between the existing Leh and Kargil districts:

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• Leh district will be divided into:
  • Sham
  • Nubra
  • Changthang
• Kargil district will be divided into:
  • Zanskar
  • Drass

The committee has also proposed the headquarters, administrative boundaries, and governance structures for the newly created districts.

Formation of the High-Level Committee

The high-level committee was constituted on September 26, 2024, a month after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the proposal for new districts.

The panel was chaired by retired IAS officer Pramod Kumar Jain and included members Kacho Asfandyar Khan and Tsering Angchok, along with the Deputy Commissioners of Leh and Kargil as ex-officio members. The committee took six months to complete its report, engaging with stakeholders, local representatives, and government officials before finalizing its recommendations.

Implementation Process and Administrative Changes

The Internal Committee of Ladakh, led by the Administrative Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD), is currently reviewing the recommendations. A final proposal will be forwarded to the MHA by April 15, 2025.

Once approved, the MHA will issue a formal notification confirming the creation of the five new districts, along with details regarding their headquarters, geographical boundaries, and administrative setup.

New Districts Breakdown

With the addition of the five new districts, the total number of districts in Ladakh will rise from two to seven:

• Leh district (currently one district) will now have four districts:
  1. Leh
  2. Sham
  3. Nubra
  4. Changthang
• Kargil district (currently one district) will now have three districts:
  1. Kargil
  2. Zanskar
  3. Drass

Challenges Regarding the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs)

The division of Leh and Kargil districts presents a new challenge regarding the existing Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs).

Currently, both Leh and Kargil have their own councils, each comprising 30 councilors (26 elected, 4 nominated). The formation of new districts raises critical governance questions:

• How will LAHDC-Leh and LAHDC-Kargil function after the new districts are created?
• Will new councils be formed for the newly established districts?
• How will changes in voter demographics and governance structures be managed?

The MHA is expected to take a decision on the future of LAHDCs soon, particularly since the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections are scheduled for October 2025.

Growing Demand for Additional Districts

In addition to the five proposed districts, there are rising demands for two additional districts from various groups in Leh and Kargil:

1. Kargil side:
   • Demand for a Sankoo-Panikhar district, citing population size and area concerns.
2. Leh side:
   • Demand for a separate district covering:
     • Chuchot Yokma
     • Chuchot Goma
     • Chuchot Shama
     • Kharu
     • Thiksay
     • Stok
     • Matho

Local representatives argue that Leh side is one of the largest village areas in Asia (largest village in india ) in terms of village size and population, making further administrative divisions necessary. The government is evaluating these demands before issuing the final notification.

Ongoing Discussions on Ladakh’s Political Future

Apart from district creation, larger political demands from Ladakh’s people continue to be discussed.

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been advocating for:

1. Full statehood for Ladakh.
2. Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (to protect Ladakh’s tribal identity and autonomy).
3. A separate Public Services Commission (PSC) for Ladakh.
4. An additional Parliamentary seat, given Ladakh’s vast geographical size.

The last official meeting between LAB, KDA, and the MHA took place on January 15, 2025. While no further official meetings have been held, backchannel discussions continue.

District Creation in India: A Historical and Administrative Perspective

In India, district creation is primarily based on administrative needs, population density, and geographical area. Typically, a new district is formed to improve governance, enhance public service accessibility, and address local demands for better administration.

Administrators and governments take into account several factors before forming a district, including:

• Population size: A district must have a balanced population distribution to ensure effective governance.
• Geographical area: Larger districts are often divided to manage administrative efficiency.
• Economic and developmental needs: Remote and underdeveloped areas may be given district status to improve development initiatives.
• Ethnic, cultural, or linguistic considerations: In some cases, districts are formed to better represent specific communities.

Ladakh’s new districts follow the same principle, with large, sparsely populated areas being reorganized for more efficient governance and regional development.

 A Major Shift in Ladakh’s Administrative Landscape

The creation of new districts is expected to enhance governance, streamline administration, and improve service delivery in Ladakh.

• The demand for two additional districts.
• The MHA’s decision on restructuring the LAHDCs will play a crucial role in governance post-division.
• The debate over Ladakh’s statehood, Sixth Schedule status, and representation in Parliament remains unresolved but on meeting decision for consideration by MHA.

The final implementation of these changes will significantly influence Ladakh’s political and administrative future. With the MHA’s notification expected soon, Ladakh stands on the brink of a major administrative transformation.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Voice of Ladakh or its editorial team.

Ajaz Ahmad Bardi [email protected]