Ladakh news & politics
The latest news from Ladakh, where N/A (Central Govt) is Chief Minister. Most covered in the last 30 days: protest opposition, foreign policy, infrastructure.
New regulation reduces Ladakh council seats to 7-24 with four nominated members
President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) (Amendment) Regulation, 2026 on October 16, following Union Cabinet approval on October 14. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena stated the regulation creates councils in eight districts, including Sankoo. It reduces seats to between 7 and 24, nominating four members from women and unrepresented communities. Kargil Democratic Alliance member Sajjad Kargilli questioned the timing of these changes.
MHA draft proposes new Article 371 provision giving Lieutenant Governor final authority over Ladakh
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) drafted a 32-page "Constitutional and Statutory Framework" proposing a new constitutional provision under Article 371 for Ladakh. The draft, discussed with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in Delhi on May 22 and September 9, gives the Lieutenant Governor final authority over regulations. It explores delimitation, women's representation, and constitutional status for Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils.
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant will inaugurate the permanent bench
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant will inaugurate the permanent bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Leh on October 18, 2026. Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra and Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena will attend. The regulation came into force on September 5 after being promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu on August 27 to improve judicial access.
Ladakh leaders reject MHA draft, demand Article 370-like provisions and 6th Schedule safeguards
Ashish Kundra, Chief Secretary of Ladakh, stated that the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Front rejected a 32-page draft proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The leaders demanded Article 370-like provisions and 6th Schedule safeguards. While the Centre offered constitutional safeguards under Article 371, Kundra clarified that Ladakh will have an elected body without a legislature.
Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance reject Union Home Ministry's 32-page proposal
Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra stated on October 17, 2026, that the Union Home Ministry is committed to a sui generis model for Ladakh. This follows the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) rejecting a 32-page proposal on October 16. The document proposed a two-stage approach using Article 371 and Article 240 to provide constitutional protections.
MMU leads 70 congregations in J&K and Ladakh sermons to oppose Waqf Board plan
On October 16, 2026, Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq coordinated a first-of-its-kind initiative where over 70 religious congregations in J&K and Ladakh delivered sermons on imaan. Following a September 15 conference in Srinagar, the move opposed Darakshan Andrabi's J&K Waqf Board plan to pre-decide sermons. The initiative focused on honesty, integrity, and humanity.
LAB and KDA reject MHA draft proposal, demand statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) shared a 15-page draft proposal with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which both rejected in principle. The groups demanded statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion, and Article 371 safeguards. Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor announced creating Sankoo as a district among six new ones to improve administration for 3.5 lakh people.
LG Vinai Kumar Saxena announces Sankoo as Ladakh's eighth district carved from Kargil
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced on Friday that Sankoo is Ladakh's eighth district, carved from Kargil. The new district includes four tehsils—Sankoo, GM Pore, TSG, and Taisuru—and its own hill council. This follows the April addition of five districts and 17 tehsils. Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon and Haneefa Jan previously met Amit Shah to demand this status.
LAB and KDA reject MHA roadmap, demand statehood and Sixth Schedule status
On October 16, 2026, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) rejected a 15-page draft roadmap from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The groups claimed the proposal departs from commitments made on May 22, 2026, and July 3. They demand statehood and Sixth Schedule status under Article 371. Another round of talks is scheduled for October 22 in New Delhi.
Ladakh LG Vinai Kumar Saxena announces Sankoo as region's eighth district
On October 16, 2026, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced Sankoo as the region's eighth district. Home to 40,548 people, it joins Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass. The move followed efforts by Anjuman-e-Sahib Zaman, Syed Mohammad Razvi, Sheikh Sadiq Balaghi, Dr. Jaffar Akhoon, Haneefa Jan, and Tashi Gyalston. This occurs as the Centre discusses Statehood and Sixth Schedule demands with civil society groups.
Leh groups term MHA draft "unsatisfactory" over legislature and Article 371K demands
On October 15, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) met with the Leh Apex Body (LAB), Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), Sonam Wangchuk, Tashi Gyalson, and Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon in Leh. The groups termed the 15-page MHA draft "unsatisfactory" regarding demands for a legislature and Article 371K provisions. A next round of talks is scheduled for October 22 in New Delhi.
LAB and LBA condemn China's statement on Western Ladakh as integral part of India
On October 15, 2026, Chering Dorjay Lakrook of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) condemned China's statement on Western Ladakh. Konchok Stanzin and Deldan Namgyal joined the condemnation, asserting Ladakh is an integral part of India. On October 13, Mao Ning of the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected India’s standardized names for 28 geographical features.
