New Domicile Policy of Ladakh

New Domicile Policy of Ladakh

Why in News New Domicile Policy of Ladakh ? 

Recently, on 3rd June 2025, the Central Government introduced new policies related to domicile and local governance for Ladakh. This move marks a significant shift aimed at ensuring the protection of the cultural identity and political rights of the indigenous residents of Ladakh.

Key Provisions for Domicile and Administrative Reforms in Ladakh

• Eligibility Criteria: 
  • Clear criteria have now been established for being considered a domicile of Ladakh: 
    • A continuous residence of 15 years has been made mandatory, calculated from the year 2019. This means that individuals who settled in Ladakh after 2019 will not be eligible for domicile certificates until 2034.
    • A special provision has been made for students. If a student has completed at least 7 years of schooling in Ladakh and has appeared in a local examination, they can also qualify as a domicile.
    • Children of Central Government employees who have served in Ladakh for an extended period are also entitled to obtain domicile status.
• Domicile Certificate: 
  • Under the Ladakh Civil Services Domicile Certificate Rules, 2025, the process for issuing domicile certificates has been formalised:
    • Citizens can apply for the certificate through online or offline modes.
    • The Tehsildar has been authorised to issue the certificate, while the Deputy Commissioner will act as the appellate authority.
    • This will ensure transparency and timely processing of applications.
• Domicile-Based Reservation: 
  • As per the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, job reservations based on domicile have been instituted:
    • Local youth will now receive priority in government jobs.
    • This will limit external competition and open up greater employment opportunities for Ladakhi residents.
• Reservation Revisions:
  • Scheduled Tribes (STs) have now been allocated 85% reservation in government jobs and professional institutions (such as medical and engineering).
  • Earlier, this reservation stood at 80%.
  • Other categories such as EWS (10%), border residents (4%), and Scheduled Castes (1%) have also been allotted specific quotas.
• Representation of Women: 
  • For the first time, one-third (33%) reservation for women has been implemented.
  • This will operate on a rotational basis, ensuring that different seats are reserved for women in each election cycle.
  • This provision will enhance women’s participation and leadership in local self-governance.
• Linguistic Identity: 
  • The Ladakh Official Languages Regulation, 2025 constitutionally recognises the region’s linguistic diversity:
    • English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi have been granted the status of official languages.
    • Simultaneously, languages like Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi are being encouraged for preservation and promotion.
    • This initiative will help conserve Ladakh’s tribal heritage and cultural identity.

Why Was a Domicile Policy Needed in Ladakh?

• Crisis of Regional Rights: 
  • In 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was split into two Union Territories, and Ladakh was designated as a UT without a legislative assembly.
  • This political restructuring intensified demands for a domicile policy to provide the people of Ladakh with legal and administrative protection.
• Cultural and Ecological Safeguards:
  • Ladakh’s ecosystem is fragile and rich in cultural heritage. Its languages and tribal lifestyle have evolved in harmony with nature.
  • Locals feared that in the absence of a domicile policy, outsiders might settle permanently, leading to demographic imbalance and cultural erosion.
• Constitutional Protection:
  • There has been a long-standing demand to include Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. 
  • In a region like Ladakh, where the majority of the population belongs to tribal communities, this provision is essential for the protection of land rights, framing of local laws, and the recognition of traditional institutions.

Under Which Constitutional Authority Did the Central Government Make Decisions for Ladakh?

• The recent policies announced by the Central Government for Ladakh regarding domicile, reservation, language, and Hill Council governance have been implemented under Article 240 of the Indian Constitution.
• Article 240(1) gives the President authority to frame regulations for peace, development, and governance in Union Territories like Ladakh.
  • These regulations aim to ensure stability, efficient administration, and clarity in governance.
  • In Union Territories like Ladakh, where there is no legislative assembly, this article forms the legal foundation for Central governance.
  • The rules made under this provision hold the same legal force as laws passed by Parliament.
  • The regulations framed under it can also amend, repeal, or replace existing laws.
  • This article is especially vital for Union Territories without assemblies, where all administrative decisions are made directly by the Central Government.
• Any regulation issued under Article 240 carries the same weight as Parliament-enacted legislation, and such regulations have the authority to override, modify, or abolish previous laws.

Wide-Ranging Impact of the New Domicile Policy

• Strong Protection of Tribal Rights:
  • A large portion of Ladakh’s population comprises Scheduled Tribes (STs), whose economic and social conditions have long depended on limited resources.
  • The domicile policy will provide effective representation to local youth in administration and professional institutions for the first time.
  • This will not only ensure equal opportunities but also offer stability and future security to these communities.
• Gender Equality:
  • Implementing one-third reservation for women in Ladakh’s Hill Councils is a transformative step from both political and social perspectives.
  • This provision will boost gender justice and strengthen the role of women in leadership.
  • It will give female representatives the power to directly engage with local issues and contribute to effective decision-making.
• Demographic Balance:
  • The provision of requiring 15 years of continuous local residence in the new domicile policy acts as a significant demographic safeguard.
  • It ensures that outsiders cannot purchase land or overburden local resources in Ladakh.
  • This measure was essential to preserve traditional land use, water sources, and livelihood systems.
• Linguistic Preservation:
  • The new policy grants official language status to Bhoti, Purgi, Hindi, Urdu, and English, while placing languages like Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi under the category of protected languages.
  • This step strengthens cultural inclusion and ensures long-term language preservation.
• Constitutional Recognition:
  • Specially tailored laws have been implemented for Ladakh, which are independent of the old laws of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • For the first time, the new domicile policy has given legislative and administrative recognition to Ladakh’s local interests.
  • Now, the Union Territory of Ladakh is being recognized with a distinct administrative identity and a unique constitutional framework.