Historic Day for Ladakh: LG Approves LAHDCs for All Seven Districts

LAHDCs will now cover all seven Ladakh districts as the UT moves towards greater grassroots governance and elected local councils

Chandra Maurya

September 3, 2026

The move expands elected Hill Council governance beyond Leh and Kargil and aims to strengthen grassroots administration

Move paves way for elected local self-governance in 5 new districts – Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has approved the notification for the creation of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) in all seven districts of the Union Territory.

This landmark move follows the historic creation of five new districts, Sham, Nubra, Zanskar, Drass and Changthang, in April this year, and the Centre’s subsequent decision to extend LAHDCs to all seven districts on 13 July. With the notification in place, the process for elections to these councils shall begin in due course.
The notification issued by the Revenue Department, UT of Ladakh, says the elections to the newly constituted Councils will be held in due course after a formal notification is issued under Section 8 of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997.

Until now, elected Hill Councils existed only in Leh and Kargil.

The new districts will now receive the same powers under the LAHDC Act, including authority over land ownership and allotment, recruitment and promotions for district cadre posts, levy of taxes and fees, and formulation of local development plans. Each council will have its own dedicated fund and revenue base.

The administration described the step as a major advance in democratic decentralisation and grassroots governance. Section 3(1) of the existing LAHDC Act already provides for a council in every district once notified in the official gazette. Necessary amendments and constituency delimitation are expected to follow before elections can be held. Panchayati Raj institutions will continue to function alongside the new councils.

A proposed Union Territory-level body under a customised Article 371 framework is also under discussion. It would sit above the seven Hill Councils and exercise legislative, executive, financial and administrative powers tailored to Ladakh’s unique geography and needs.

The five new districts were notified in April 2026 after approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2024, taking Ladakh from two districts to seven. Additional administrative measures announced earlier include 17 new tehsils (raising the total to 32), new Public Works and Public Health Engineering divisions, and posting of tehsildars to improve service delivery in remote areas.

Local leaders have welcomed the extension of the Hill Council framework as fulfilment of a long-standing demand for elected local self-governance after Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019.

The move is expected to bring administration closer to people in far-flung regions such as Nubra, Changthang and Zanskar, improve public service delivery, and create new opportunities for development and employment.The notification paves the way for the constitution of the five new councils and the eventual holding of elections once delimitation is completed.

A historic day for the Union Territory of Ladakh!
Today, I have approved the notification for the creation of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) in all 7 districts in the Union Territory. This landmark move follows the historic creation of five new districts –…
— LG Ladakh (@lg_ladakh) September 3, 2026

In a post on X, LG Ladakh posted, “A historic day for the Union Territory of Ladakh! Today, I have approved the notification for the creation of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) in all 7 districts in the Union Territory. This landmark move follows the historic creation of five new districts – Sham, Nubra, Zanskar, Drass, and Changthang in April this year, and the Centre’s subsequent decision of extending LAHDCs to all 7 districts, on 13 July. This momentous decision, under the proactive leadership and guidance of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will decentralise and strengthen local governance, ensure true autonomy for our local bodies, and fulfil the long-standing aspirations of our people, at the grassroots level. With the notification in place, the process for elections to these councils shall begin in the due course. I am confident this would empower Ladakh and its people to chart its own path of progress and inclusive development. It reaffirms our collective resolve for building a stronger, developed and more empowered Ladakh. I congratulate every citizen of Ladakh on this historic occasion”.

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