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UPSC » Daily News Analysis ‘Ladakh Gets New Domicile, Quota, and Language Policies’ : 4 June

Daily News Analysis ‘Ladakh Gets New Domicile, Quota, and Language Policies’ : 4 June

Table of Content

Background:

  • After Article 370 was revoked in August 2019, Ladakh was made a separate UT without legislature.
  • Civil society movements emerged in 2020, raising concerns about loss of cultural identity, land rights, and democratic representation.

Key Highlights:

  1. Domicile Criteria:
  • To qualify as a domicile of Ladakh, a person must have:
    • 15 years of continuous residence in the UT since October 31, 2019, or
    • 7 years of schooling in Ladakh and appeared in Class 10 or 12, or
    • Be children of Central govt. officials who served in Ladakh for 10 years.
  • Tehsildars will issue domicile certificates.
  1. Job Reservation:Under the Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025:
  • 85% reservation for Ladakhi domiciles (excluding EWS).
  • Likely distribution: 80% for STs, 4% for border residents, 1% for SCs, 10% for EWS.
  • Total reservation may reach 95%, among the highest in India.
  1. Hill Council Reforms:Under the amended Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997:One-third of seats reserved for women in a rotational manner.
  2. Official Languages Policy: Recognized official languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, Purgi.
  • Institutional support for native tongues: Shina, Brokskat, Balti, Ladakhi.

Demand for Sixth Schedule Inclusion:

  • Ladakhi groups, including the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, have demanded inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
  • The Sixth Schedule (Articles 244 & 275) provides for autonomous district councils (ADCs) in tribal areas of the Northeast, enabling self-governance, protection of land, culture, and customs.
  • Inclusion would empower locals to regulate land use, resource management, and preserve tribal identity.
  • Despite new policy steps, this key demand remains unaddressed, and agitation for tribal safeguards continues.

Why in News?

  •  On June 3, 2025, the Union Government notified new regulations for domicile status, job reservation, official languages, and hill council composition in the Union Territory of Ladakh.