Ladakh To Set Up Autonomous Hill Councils In All 7 Districts To Strengthen Grassroots Governance

Last Updated:July 13, 2026, 19:59 IST

Ladakh moved from two districts to seven in April 2026, when Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass were notified as new districts.

The Ladakh administration has announced plans to establish autonomous hill development councils in all seven districts of the Union Territory, marking a shift toward grassroots governance and balanced development across the region.

Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra announced the decision, calling it a major step towards “democratic decentralisation and grassroots governance."

Ladakh moved from two districts to seven in April 2026, when Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass were notified as new districts. However, elected representation had remained with the two existing councils – Leh and Kargil – until now.

What This Means?

Under the new framework, all seven districts will get their own Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and receive full land, fund and employment protection under Article 371.

The new districts will hold the same legislative and administrative authority that Leh has exercised since 1995 and Kargil since 2003. Each council will hold direct authority over land ownership, allotment and recruitment promotions for district cadre government jobs within its geographic boundaries.

All districts will now be empowered to formulate their own independent development plans instead of relying on funds distributed from Leh or Kargil. They will maintain a dedicated Council Fund and possess the authority to levy local taxes and fees.

Moreover, traditional Panchayati Raj institutions will continue to operate right alongside the Hill Councils, creating a robust and multi-layered governance system to ensure elected representation at village, district and UT levels.

The government has proposed a top-tier Union Territory body to sit above all seven councils. The step came after Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved a comprehensive reorganisation and rationalisation of tehsils and revenue villages, taking the total number of tehsils in Ladakh to 32.

About the Author

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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