{"id":51017,"date":"2025-08-11T19:02:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T13:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=51017"},"modified":"2025-08-11T19:45:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T14:15:09","slug":"ladakh-statehood-sixth-schedule-demand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/11-08-2025\/ladakh-statehood-sixth-schedule-demand","title":{"rendered":"Ladakh: Demand For Statehood &amp; Sixth Schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, renowned climate activist and <strong>Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Sonam Wangchuk<\/strong> joined a protest, demanding <strong>statehood for Ladakh<\/strong> and its inclusion in the <strong>Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Historical Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Historically, Ladakh was part of the erstwhile state of Jammu &amp; Kashmir.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For decades, Ladakhis felt politically marginalized, with <strong>decisions being made in Srinagar<\/strong> that often overlooked the region\u2019s unique cultural and ecological needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After <strong>abrogation of Article 370<\/strong>, Ladakh was carved out as a UT<strong> without a legislature<\/strong>, under the <strong>Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is<strong> governed directly by the Lieutenant Governor<\/strong> and the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)<\/strong>, with <strong>limited local decision-making<\/strong>, unlike Delhi or Puducherry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, the <strong>removal of Article 35A<\/strong>, which had offered some <strong>protection to Ladakh\u2019s land and employment rights<\/strong>, left many feeling vulnerable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfW8A0i0nBqPD47XL7XDpM21qqUKlipZ38rG0c_SqPltLSngZsVDjx1TGjKCVWqM6c2_t_7qXIq1MJ0McIsFpCwOcLFQBcky_JNa3RcBk1q0MUiKpIpMPHXPdOXhUIP4YUrmtXy?key=lMBIqHkLJbIMcUwP8z3VQw\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:480px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Ladakh Became a UT?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cultural &amp; Demographic Identity:<\/strong> Buddhist-majority Leh and Shia-majority Kargil are culturally distinct from the Sunni-majority Kashmir Valley.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Security Considerations:<\/strong> Borders both Pakistan (PoK) and China (Aksai Chin); strategic sensitivity necessitated tighter central control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Developmental Goals: <\/strong>UT status intended to improve administrative efficiency, expedite infrastructure, and ensure direct central funding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Constitutional Basis for State Formation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 3 of the Indian Constitution: <\/strong>Parliament may:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Form a new state by separating territory from any state or UT;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unite two or more states or parts of states or UTs;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alter the boundaries or names of existing states;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Requirements:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A Bill for reorganization needs to be introduced in Parliament only with the President\u2019s recommendation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the proposal affects the area or boundaries of an existing state, the President needs to refer it to that state\u2019s legislature for its views;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The views of the legislature are not binding; Parliament can proceed regardless.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sixth Schedule Safeguard<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, under <strong>Article 244(2) and Article 275(1),<\/strong> provides for the administration of <strong>tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It allows for the creation of <strong>Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)<\/strong> and <strong>Regional Councils<\/strong> with legislative, executive, and financial powers over land, public health, agriculture, and local customs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Government Mandates and Committees:<\/strong> The MHA constituted a <strong>High Powered Committee (HPC) in 2023<\/strong>, chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. The committee\u2019s mandate includes:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exploring constitutional safeguards for Ladakh;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthening the LAHDCs of Leh and Kargil;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensuring protection of land, employment, and cultural identity;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facilitating inclusive development and fast-track recruitment;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST),<\/strong> in its 119th meeting, recommended that <strong>Ladakh be brought under the Sixth Schedule<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ladakh has over 97% of its population belonging to Scheduled Tribes and the need to preserve its agrarian and cultural rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related Concerns &amp; Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Political Mandates:<\/strong> UTs without legislatures lack elected representation and local lawmaking powers.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Decisions are made by centrally appointed administrators, often disconnected from local realities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cultural and Regional Identity:<\/strong> UTs with distinct ethnic or tribal populations seek constitutional safeguards and self-governance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Developmental Equity:<\/strong> Statehood can unlock greater financial devolution and institutional infrastructure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E<\/strong><strong>mployment and Representation:<\/strong> Locals are demanding a Public Service Commission and job reservations to ensure equitable access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Legal and Constitutional Hurdles:<\/strong> The Sixth Schedule currently applies only to certain northeastern states.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Extending it to a UT like Ladakh would require constitutional amendments and political consensus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Administrative Complexity:<\/strong> Ladakh already has two LAHDCs in Leh and Kargil. Integrating these with Sixth Schedule provisions would require careful restructuring to avoid jurisdictional conflicts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Measures Notified by Union Government for Ladakh<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reservation in Government Jobs: <\/strong>85% reservation for resident Ladakhis in government employment;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Of this, 80% reserved for STs;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Additional quotas:<\/strong> 4% for residents along the LAC and LoC;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1% for SCs; and 10% forEWS;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total reservation reaches 95%, among the highest in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Domicile Criteria:<\/strong> Individuals need to prove 15 years of continuous residence in Ladakh from <strong>October 31, 2019 (the day Ladakh became a UT)<\/strong>, to qualify as a domicile.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Children of Central government employees, All India Services officers, and PSU staff posted in Ladakh are eligible under specific conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Women\u2019s Political Representation:<\/strong> One-third of seats in Ladakh\u2019s Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) reserved for women on a rotational basis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official Languages:<\/strong> Ladakh now officially recognizes <strong>English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It affirms linguistic diversity and cultural preservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulatory Amendments:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ladakh Official Languages Regulation, 2025;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These provisions mirror similar protections in northeastern states like Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, where <strong>tribal populations enjoy over 80% reservation<\/strong> in public employment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Road Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While the Constitution provides the legal framework, the transition from UT to statehood is ultimately a political decision. It requires:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Presidential recommendation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parliamentary approval through a reorganization bill;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic alignment with national interests and regional aspirations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/143475\/OPS\/GSMENG8VH.1+GV8EOI90C.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Recently, renowned climate activist and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Sonam Wangchuk joined a protest, demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Historical Background<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Historically, Ladakh was part of the erstwhile state of Jammu &#038; Kashmir.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">For decades, Ladakhis felt politically marginalized, with decisions being made in Srinagar that often overlooked the region\u2019s unique cultural and ecological needs.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">After abrogation of Article 370, Ladakh was carved out as a UT without a legislature, under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It is governed directly by the Lieutenant Governor and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), with limited local decision-making, unlike Delhi or Puducherry.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/11-08-2025\/ladakh-statehood-sixth-schedule-demand\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":51047,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ladakh-statehood-sixth-schedule-demand.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51017","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51017"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51017\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51031,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51017\/revisions\/51031"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}