Ladakh to Constitute Autonomous Hill Councils for All Seven Districts

The Union Territory of Ladakh administration has officially announced the formation of an Autonomous Hill Development Council for each of its seven districts. This development follows the notification of five new districts in April 2026—Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass—joining the existing districts of Leh and Kargil. Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra confirmed the decision, highlighting it as a significant shift toward democratic decentralisation and balanced regional development across the Union Territory.

The initiative follows extensive deliberations between the government and key stakeholders, including representatives of religious organizations and civil society groups. The proposed structure includes an overarching UT-level body designed under a customized Article 371 framework, which aims to provide legislative, executive, and financial powers. This model draws on diverse regional governance arrangements, aiming to address long-standing demands for enhanced local administrative autonomy following the 2019 reorganization of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The move is seen as a critical step in addressing the governance aspirations of Ladakh’s diverse population. This proposal aligns with the ongoing dialogue between the Union government, the Leh Apex Body, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which have previously reached an in-principle understanding regarding constitutional protections for the region's land and identity. With the formal announcement made, the administration is now expected to proceed with necessary legislative amendments to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act and initiate the delimitation of constituencies to formalize the new representative structure.