Ladakh Land and Job Regulations of 2025
The Government of India introduced new regulations for Ladakh to address longstanding concerns from the local population regarding land, jobs, and cultural preservation. The regulations are a response to demands for increased autonomy and protection for the unique identity of Ladakh following its separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
New Regulations
The government notified five key regulations on June 2 and 3, 2025. These include the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, which introduces domicile requirements for government job recruitment. The domicile is defined as residents who have lived in Ladakh for 15 years or those who completed their education in Ladakh.
Domicile Certificate Rules
The Ladakh Civil Services Domicile Certificate Rules, 2025, outline the process for obtaining a domicile certificate. The tehsildar will issue these certificates, while the Deputy Commissioner will handle appeals. Applications can be submitted in person or online.
Reservation Regulations
The Union Territory of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, caps job reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and other backward groups at 85%. This also extends to admissions in professional institutions, increasing the previous cap from 50% to 85%.
Official Languages Recognition
The Ladakh Official Languages Regulation, 2025, officially recognises English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi. It mandates support for the preservation of local languages such as Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi, denoting the importance of cultural identity.
Women’s Representation in Councils
The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, reserves one-third of council seats for women in the Leh and Kargil councils. This aims to enhance women’s participation in local governance.
Significance of the Regulations
These regulations are the first comprehensive legal framework tailored for Ladakh. They provide a structured approach to address local concerns, especially regarding job reservations and cultural preservation. However, they do not grant constitutional protections or land ownership restrictions, which remain critical issues for the residents.
Limitations of the Regulations
Despite their significance, the regulations have notable limitations. They lack constitutional protection, which means they can be amended at any time by the Centre. There are no restrictions on land ownership by non-domiciles, raising concerns about external pressure on local resources. Furthermore, the absence of a local legislative assembly limits the region’s ability to self-govern.
Future Prospects
Local leaders express cautious optimism about the new regulations. However, they continue to advocate for greater autonomy under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The Ladakhi civil society plans to engage with the central government to address outstanding issues.
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