President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, paving the way for the creation of hill councils in all eight districts of Ladakh. The amendment aims to strengthen grassroots democracy, improve local representation and promote inclusive governance. However, the changes have raised concerns among some local stakeholders over consultation, autonomy and the role of the Union Territory administration.

Why in the News?

On October 20, 2026, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced that the presidential promulgation of the amended regulation had paved the way for establishing LAHDCs in all eight districts of Ladakh.

  • The Union Cabinet approved the amendments on October 14, 2026, and the President promulgated the regulation on October 16, 2026.
  • The amendment enables the creation of hill councils in all 8 districts, including the newly created Sankoo district.
  • It changes the number of constituencies in each council and provides for the nomination of members from women and unrepresented communities.
  • The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) raised concerns over the timing of the changes and the lack of consultation with local stakeholders.

Key Provisions of the LAHDC Amendment Regulation, 2026

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) Amendment Regulation, 2026, aims to extend the hill council system to all eight districts of Ladakh.

1. Hill Councils in All Eight Districts

  • The amendment paves the way for the establishment of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils in all 8 districts.
  • Earlier, Ladakh had 2 hill councils:
    • LAHDC-Leh: In the Buddhist-majority district of Leh.
    • LAHDC-Kargil: In the Muslim-majority district of Kargil.
  • The expansion follows the creation of eight districts by the Union Territory administration.
  • The newly created Sankoo district is also covered under the proposed expansion.

2. Changes in Council Composition

The amendment revises the number of constituencies and provides for the nomination of members to improve representation.

  • Number of constituencies: Each council will have a minimum of 7 seats and a maximum of 24 seats, replacing the earlier provision of 26 seats in each council.
  • Nominated members: 4 members may be nominated from women and unrepresented communities.
  • Objective: To promote inclusive participation and strengthen local governance.

3. Strengthening Grassroots Democracy

According to the Lieutenant Governor, the amendment aims to:

  • Strengthen grassroots democracy.
  • Improve local representation.
  • Promote the participation of women and unrepresented communities.
  • Extend the hill council system across all eight districts of Ladakh.

Background: Ladakh's Administrative Status

In 2019, Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory from the Kashmir division of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.

  • Before 2019, Ladakh had two autonomous hill councils, one each in Leh and Kargil.
  • The councils provide an institutional framework for local self-government in the region.
  • The Union Territory administration subsequently created 8 districts, creating the need to extend the hill council framework to the newly formed districts.

Existing Status of LAHDC-Kargil

LAHDC-Kargil held its elections in 2023 and continues to function.

  • Chief Executive Councillor Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon recently indicated that he might step down from his position.
  • The amended regulation is expected to facilitate the expansion of the hill council system across Ladakh.

Concerns Raised by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)

The Kargil Democratic Alliance, a key civil society body engaged in dialogue with the Centre over Ladakh's demands, questioned the timing and process of the amendments.

  • The KDA argued that major changes to the councils' composition, powers and functioning should not be made without consulting local people and stakeholders.
  • Discussions with the Centre are continuing over demands for Statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.
  • Local autonomy: The KDA expressed concern that the changes could increase the control of the Union Territory administration over the composition and functioning of the councils.
  • Constitutional protections: It questioned whether the eventual settlement would provide meaningful autonomy to Ladakh's representative institutions.
  • Trust in dialogue: The KDA argued that changing the institutional framework during ongoing negotiations could raise doubts about the government's commitment to the dialogue process.

Significance of the Amendment

  • Decentralised governance: Establishing councils across eight districts can extend local self-government to more areas.
  • Inclusive representation: Nominated representation for women and unrepresented communities may improve participation in local governance.
  • Administrative coverage: The amendment provides a framework for extending the hill council system to newly created districts.
  • Democratic participation: Local councils can provide institutional channels for people to raise regional concerns.
  • Autonomy debate: The concerns raised by the KDA highlight the importance of consultation and local participation in decisions affecting Ladakh's political and constitutional future.

Conclusion

The LAHDC (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, marks an important development in Ladakh's local governance by paving the way for hill councils in all eight districts. Its provisions seek to improve representation and promote inclusive participation. However, concerns raised by the KDA underline the need for consultation with local stakeholders, particularly while discussions on Statehood and Sixth Schedule protections remain ongoing. The long-term success of the reform will depend on how effectively it balances administrative restructuring, grassroots democracy and meaningful local autonomy.