Ladakh as Third Administrative Division of Jammu and Kashmir

The declaration of Ladakh as the third administrative division of Jammu and Kashmir marked a major administrative reform aimed at improving governance, accessibility, and development in one of the most remote and strategically important regions of India. The decision, announced in February 2019, created a new “Ladakh Division” alongside the existing Jammu and Kashmir Divisions, providing the region with a more autonomous and efficient administrative structure within the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Background

Before its designation as a separate division, Ladakh was administratively part of the Kashmir Division, even though it was geographically vast and culturally distinct. The region comprises the districts of Leh and Kargil, each located in the high-altitude Trans-Himalayan zone. Due to extreme terrain, sparse population, and difficult connectivity, governance and service delivery had long been challenging under the Kashmir-centric administrative setup.
For decades, residents of Ladakh had been demanding separate administrative recognition to address issues of underdevelopment, poor communication links, and cultural marginalisation. The call for a separate division gained momentum through local political groups such as the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) of Leh and Kargil, which were established in the 1990s to promote decentralised governance.

Creation of the Ladakh Division

On 8 February 2019, the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, formally approved the creation of the Ladakh Division. This decision was taken under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s State Administrative Council (SAC), led by the Governor during the President’s Rule in the state.
The move resulted in Ladakh being declared as the third administrative division of Jammu and Kashmir, with its own Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police (IGP), similar to the arrangements in the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The divisional headquarters were set up in Leh, with Kargil also serving as an alternate administrative centre to ensure balanced regional representation.
The new administrative structure aimed to strengthen governance mechanisms, improve coordination between the two districts, and ensure equitable development across the mountainous region.

Administrative Structure and Jurisdiction

With its elevation to a full-fledged division, Ladakh began to enjoy a separate set of administrative offices and staff, independent of the Kashmir Division. The main offices under the divisional administration included:

• Divisional Commissioner: Responsible for general administration, law and order, coordination among departments, and implementation of development programmes.
• Inspector General of Police (IGP): In charge of maintaining internal security and police administration.
• Sectoral Heads of Departments: Officers from education, health, public works, and rural development departments were stationed locally to reduce bureaucratic delays.

The administrative restructuring allowed for faster decision-making, reduced dependence on Srinagar-based offices, and better alignment with the needs of the region’s high-altitude terrain and unique socio-economic profile.

Reasons Behind the Decision

Several key factors motivated the creation of the Ladakh Division:

• Geographical isolation: The rugged terrain and harsh climate made governance from Srinagar logistically difficult.
• Distinct cultural identity: Ladakh’s Buddhist and Shia Muslim-majority populations possess a unique cultural and linguistic heritage that differed from both Jammu and Kashmir.
• Developmental disparity: The region lagged behind in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, partly due to the lack of region-specific administrative mechanisms.
• Strategic importance: Ladakh’s proximity to international borders with China and Pakistan required strong governance and administrative attention for security and development.
• Local demands: Persistent public and political pressure, particularly from the LAHDC-Leh and LAHDC-Kargil, led the government to recognise the need for administrative autonomy.

Impact and Significance

The creation of the Ladakh Division was widely viewed as a significant step towards inclusive governance and regional equity. Its major impacts included:

• Improved accessibility: The establishment of local offices reduced bureaucratic dependence on Srinagar, allowing quicker delivery of government services.
• Focused development: Tailored projects could now address region-specific issues such as tourism infrastructure, road connectivity, renewable energy, and education in remote areas.
• Administrative empowerment: Both Leh and Kargil gained stronger voices in policymaking through divisional-level representation.
• Enhanced security coordination: The presence of a local Inspector General of Police improved law enforcement and cross-border vigilance.
• Symbolic recognition: The move acknowledged Ladakh’s unique cultural and geographic identity within the broader state framework.

However, the decision initially triggered some discontent in Kargil, where local leaders demanded equitable administrative representation, fearing Leh’s dominance in the new setup. To address this, the government assured rotational arrangements and equal consideration in divisional operations.

Subsequent Developments – Union Territory Status

The creation of the Ladakh Division in February 2019 was a precursor to a more significant political transformation. Later that year, on 5 August 2019, the Government of India abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two separate Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir (with a Legislative Assembly) and Ladakh (without a Legislature).
Following this change, Ladakh ceased to be part of Jammu and Kashmir and became an independent Union Territory, directly administered by the central government through a Lieutenant Governor. The administrative structure established earlier, including the divisional offices, provided a strong foundation for this transition.

Present Relevance

Today, Ladakh operates as a Union Territory with continued emphasis on decentralised administration through its twin Hill Development Councils in Leh and Kargil. The creation of the Ladakh Division in early 2019 remains a landmark administrative milestone that paved the way for the region’s eventual separation and reorganisation.