The measures announced by the Govt aim to address some of the issues but they fall short of the Ladakh’s aspirations
Since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and the bifurcation of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh — the people of Ladakh have been voicing growing concern over the erosion of their cultural identity, land rights, and political agency. Recent protests, sustained campaigns, and appeals from civil society groups across Leh have led the central Government to respond, culminating in the announcement of new measures on June 3, 2025. The policies notified by the Centre aim to address some of the grievances raised by the people of Ladakh, particularly regarding their language, culture, and access to land and jobs.
Among the key measures announced is a provision for up to 85 per cent reservation for indigenous people in government jobs. In a bid to regulate residency, the Government has defined domicile criteria requiring a person to have lived continuously in Ladakh for 15 years from 2019 onwards. This effectively means that migrants arriving after the withdrawal of Article 370 would only qualify as domiciles after 2034, providing a degree of protection to the local population from sudden demographic shifts. The policy also acknowledges the linguistic diversity of Ladakh by recognising English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi as official languages. Moreover, a third of the seats in the region’s hill councils are to be reserved for women, a measure aimed at enhancing gender representation in governance.
While these steps signal an intent to preserve Ladakh’s unique identity and ensure indigenous access to employment and representation, they stop well short of the demands that have been persistently raised by local civil society organisations and political groups.
The people of Ladakh have long sought full statehood, which would grant the region its own legislature and greater autonomy in policymaking. Equally important is their demand for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which offers special protections for tribal regions. There is also a growing call for the allocation of a second seat in the Lok Sabha to ensure that both Leh and Kargil have distinct and equitable political representation. Another critical demand is the establishment of a dedicated Public Service Commission.
Despite the creation of over 1,200 gazetted posts since 2019, not a single one has been filled. While the Centre’s recent announcements are a step in the right direction, they remain administrative in nature and fail to address the core structural and constitutional concerns of the region. Moreover, the continued lack of employment avenues and meaningful political representation only deepens the alienation felt by many, especially the youth.
Neglecting the aspirations of the people living in such a sensitive region is not just a matter of domestic politics; it is a national security concern. The emotional integration of Ladakh with the rest of the country requires more than administrative announcements. It demands constitutional empathy, political inclusion, and economic empowerment. The June 3 measures may be a beginning, but the journey toward justice and dignity for Ladakh must go much further.
