President Droupadi Murmu signs Ladakh hill‑council regulation for all eight districts

President Droupadi Murmu signs Ladakh hill‑council regulation for all eight districts

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu gave formal effect to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2026. The amendment, approved by the Union Cabinet on October 14 and promulgated on October 16, authorises the creation of autonomous hill councils in each of Ladakh’s eight districts – including the newly carved‑out Sankoo district.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced that the regulation would take effect from October 19, 2026, and that elections to the new councils could be scheduled shortly thereafter.

What the amendment changes

The revised rulebook trims the size of each council, setting a floor of seven seats and a ceiling of twenty‑four, down from the earlier uniform 26‑seat composition. It also introduces four nominated members – earmarked for women and for communities that have historically lacked representation – to broaden participation at the grassroots level.

Saxena said the changes were rolled out in a “record six days”, underscoring the administration’s commitment to swift implementation of devolved governance.

Government’s view

Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were thanked by the Lieutenant Governor for the “landmark regulation” that, according to the administration, will strengthen grassroots democracy, improve local representation and promote inclusivity across the high‑altitude Union Territory.

The move follows the creation of five new districts – Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass – on April 27, 2026, and the inauguration of those districts on April 30. Sankoo was announced as the eighth district on October 16, completing the current district map.

Civil‑society response

The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), a prominent local civil‑society platform, raised concerns about the timing of the amendment. KDA member Sajjad Kargilli warned that “at a time when talks are ongoing to negotiate a settlement for Ladakh, including demands for constitutional status and stronger protections for the LAHDCs, it is deeply problematic that the government has chosen to make substantial changes … without consulting the people and stakeholders of Ladakh.”

Kargilli’s remarks reflect anxiety that the rapid overhaul could affect ongoing discussions about Ladakh’s future constitutional status and the Sixth Schedule provisions that many in the region seek.

Looking ahead

With the regulation now in force, the Union Territory administration is expected to issue an election timetable for the eight hill councils within the next few weeks. Observers note that the new council structure, with its reduced seats and nominated members, could reshape local power dynamics, potentially offering a more inclusive platform for women and minority groups while also giving the central administration greater oversight.

The coming months will reveal whether the promised boost to grassroots governance materialises or whether civil‑society concerns about consultation and autonomy will dominate the discourse.