Ladakh Hikes Village Heads’ Honorarium to Rs 5,000

Ladakh increased the monthly honorarium of village heads, known as Nambardars or Gobas, from Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000 on 21 September 2026. The revision applies to 247 Nambardars in the Union Territory and is the first such change since 2016.

Nambardar System in Ladakh

Nambardars are village-level functionaries in Ladakh who are also called Gobas in some local areas. The post is linked to grassroots administration and village-level coordination in the Union Territory.

The revised emoluments were fixed under the Jammu and Kashmir Lambardari Act, 1972, and the Jammu and Kashmir Lambardari Rules, 1980. These legal provisions continue to apply to Ladakh after its reorganisation as a Union Territory in 2019.

Honorarium Revision Details

The monthly payment rose from Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000, which is an increase of more than 233%. The revision was approved by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.

The new rate will come into force after official gazette notification. The earlier revision had taken place in 2016, making this the first update in a decade.

Administrative Context

The decision followed representations made during village visits by the Lieutenant Governor and a meeting with a delegation of Nambardars on 19 September 2026. The stated administrative framework for the post is based on village-level representation and local coordination.

Important Facts for Exams

• Ladakh became a Union Territory on 31 October 2019 after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
• The term “honorarium” refers to a fixed payment made for services that are not treated as regular salaried employment.
• The Jammu and Kashmir Lambardari Act, 1972, governs the Lambardar system in the region.
• The Jammu and Kashmir Lambardari Rules, 1980, provide procedural details for the system.

The revised honorarium covers 247 Nambardars in Ladakh. The order will take effect after publication in the official gazette.