Srinagar, April 27: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, VK Saxena, announced the formation of five new districts on Monday, increasing the total number of districts in the Union Territory from two to seven.
Officials reported that the newly formed districts are Nubra, Shyam, Changthang, Zanskar, and Dras, which adds to the existing districts of Leh and Kargil.
This initiative aims to decentralize administration, promote development in remote border areas, and address long-standing local demands for better governance.
Among the new districts, Nubra is known for its strategic location and high altitude, with plans to develop tourism infrastructure. Shyam focuses on strengthening local governance in its region. Changthang prioritizes the preservation of ancient tribes and the enhancement of border infrastructure.
Zanskar aims to improve road connectivity and tourism, while Dras is focused on infrastructure development and support for military bases, recognized for its strategic significance.
The initiative seeks to make governance more accessible for residents in remote areas, create job opportunities, and improve the delivery of public services.
This decision was initially approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2024 and was officially notified in April 2026.
These administrative changes aim to meet the specific needs of diverse regions within the geographically vast but sparsely populated Union Territory.
Since 2021, Ladakh’s two representative bodies, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have actively protested for statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, job security, and the establishment of a Public Service Commission.
Led by activists like Chering Dorje and Sonam Wangchuk, LAB collaborates with KDA to negotiate these demands with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Tensions in Ladakh escalated on September 24, 2025, when police opened fire on a rioting crowd engaged in arson and stone-pelting. Four individuals were killed in the police firing in Leh, prompting authorities to impose a curfew and detain at least 50 people as protesters clashed with police and set fire to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office, the office of the Chief Executive Councillor, and a police vehicle. Numerous individuals, including police officers, were injured.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested under the National Security Act and sent to a prison in Rajasthan, but was released on March 14 of this year.
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