New protection measures for Ladakh
Centre’s New Rules for Ladakh’s Protection: In response to long-standing local demands, the Centre has notified a fresh set of rules and regulations aimed at safeguarding Ladakh’s land, jobs, culture, and identity. This move follows appeals from various groups to bring Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule for greater constitutional protection, similar to what exists for tribal areas in the Northeast.
The new rules, though not part of the Sixth Schedule, try to address some key local concerns.
Local job reservation
One of the most notable provisions is the 85% reservation in government jobs for Ladakh’s residents. The Domicile Certificate Rules 2025 define who qualifies as a local. This is a major boost for local youth, especially considering Ladakh’s limited employment avenues.
In addition to this, the existing 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will continue, ensuring wider representation.
Women representation in governance
The rules now ensure that one-third of seats in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) in both Leh and Kargil are reserved for women. These seats will be rotated among constituencies, bringing in diverse women voices in regional governance.
This is in line with India’s broader push for women empowerment in politics, similar to the 33% reservation in panchayats introduced after the 73rd Amendment Act.
Steps to protect language and culture
The government has taken steps to promote local languages and traditions. Official languages now include English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi. There’s also institutional support for promoting Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi.
However, the use of these languages in schools, government offices, and courts has not been made mandatory yet. That makes it more symbolic than practical at this stage.
What remains missing?
The rules, however, are not backed by constitutional guarantees. They are issued under Article 240 of the Indian Constitution, which allows the President to make laws for Union Territories without a legislature. That means these rules can be changed or withdrawn anytime by the Centre.
There’s also no ban on land ownership by outsiders, which has been a sensitive issue amid growing tourism and urbanisation in Ladakh. Moreover, there is no local legislature or autonomous body with law-making powers, unlike in Sixth Schedule areas.
Understanding the Sixth Schedule model
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, under Article 244(2), is designed to protect tribal interests in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. It allows the Governor to create Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs).
These councils can make laws on subjects like land, forests, marriage, agriculture, and customs. They can also collect taxes, regulate trade, and manage local minerals—powers Ladakh currently lacks.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Centre’s New Rules for Ladakh’s Protection:
| Topic | Details |
| Domicile Reservation | 85% jobs for locals under Domicile Certificate Rules 2025 |
| EWS Quota | 10% reservation continues for economically weaker sections |
| Women Reservation | 33% seats in LAHDC reserved for women by rotation |
| Official Languages | English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, Purgi |
| Promoted Languages | Shina, Brokskat, Balti, Ladakhi |
| Governance Article | Article 240 allows President to frame rules for UTs |
| Sixth Schedule | Constitutional protection for tribal areas under Article 244(2) |
| States with Sixth Schedule | Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram |
| Power of ADCs/ARCs | Legislative, financial, and administrative autonomy |
| Key Cultural Concern | No strong integration of local languages in governance |
