Ladakh Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena on Monday announced the formation of five new districts in Ladakh, increasing the number of districts in the Union Territory to seven from the original two.
Officials said that the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh has announced the formation of five new districts namely Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Dras, increasing the total number of districts from two (Leh and Kargil) to seven.
The move aims to decentralize administration, promote development in remote border areas and meet long-pending local demands for better governance.
Among the five new districts, Nubra is known for its strategic location and high altitude, which is aimed at developing tourism infrastructure.
Sham focuses on strengthening local governance in its region. Changthang gives priority to the protection of ancient tribes and improving border infrastructure.
Zanskar focuses on improving road connectivity and tourism.
Dras focuses on building infrastructure and providing support to the army base and is known for its strategic importance.
The initiative aims to make governance accessible to people living in remote areas, generate employment opportunities and improve the delivery of public services.
The decision was originally approved by the Union Home Ministry in August 2024 and officially notified in April 2026.
These administrative changes are aimed at meeting the specific needs of the diverse areas located within the geographically vast, but sparsely populated Union Territory.
Two representative bodies of Ladakh, Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been actively protesting since 2021 demanding statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, job security and Public Service Commission.
Led by activists such as Charing Dorje and Sonam Wangchuk, LAB works closely with the KDA to negotiate these demands with the Union Home Ministry.
On September 24, 2025, tension escalated in Ladakh when police opened fire on a unruly mob that was indulging in arson and stone pelting.
Four people killed in police firing in Leh. Authorities then imposed a curfew and detained 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 Councilor and a police vehicle. Dozens of people, including police officers, were injured.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested under the National Security Act and sent to a jail in Rajasthan. He was released on March 14 this year.
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