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The administrative map of the Union Territory of Ladakh changed again on Friday, as authorities carved out Sankoo as a new district, taking the total number of districts in the region to eight. The move extends the decentralisation drive pursued by the administration since Ladakh became a separate Union Territory in 2019.
The Revenue Department of Ladakh issued Notification S.O. 284, dated October 16, 2026, under Section 5 of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996, as applicable to the Union Territory of Ladakh. The notification follows an earlier order, S.O. 180, issued on April 27, 2026.
According to the notification, the newly created Sankoo district comprises four tehsils: Sankoo, GM Pore, TSG and Taisuru, along with the revenue villages specified in the notification.
The jurisdiction of Kargil district has been modified to exclude the tehsils and revenue villages now included in Sankoo district. The notification will come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
The creation of Sankoo district marks a significant administrative development for the region and is expected to bring governance and public services closer to the people.
From Two Districts to Eight
Until this year, Ladakh had only two districts: Leh and Kargil. In April 2026, the administration created five additional districts—Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass. Sankoo is the latest addition, taking the total number of districts in Ladakh to eight.
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An official spokesperson in Leh said the reorganisation aims to bring governance closer to remote communities, reduce travel distances for administrative work and improve service delivery across Ladakh’s vast and difficult terrain.
Reacting to the announcement, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena expressed happiness over the celebrations in Sankoo and the announcement regarding the constitution of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) for the new district.
“Overwhelmed by the massive gathering and jubilant celebrations in Sankoo today, on the declaration of Sankoo as Ladakh’s 8th district, followed by the announcement to constitute the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), as in all other districts of Ladakh,” Saxena posted on social media.
“The immense joy and gratitude of the people, braving the icy winds on a chilly evening, is truly heartwarming. This historic milestone fulfils their long-standing demand and brings the administration right to their doorstep, in one of the most populous regions in Ladakh,” he further said.
Saxena expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for consistently guiding Ladakh towards progress and inclusive development.
“I assure the people of Sankoo that all administrative requirements, including the posting of officials, will be addressed at the earliest so that the benefits of development reach every single household,” he said.
Hill Council Constituted for Sankoo
In a parallel move, the administration notified the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Sankoo, under the LAHDC Act, 1997.
Notification S.O. 285 states that the Lieutenant Governor has constituted the Council under Section 3(1) of the Act. The Council will exercise the powers and functions prescribed under the Act, as amended from time to time.
The move also changes the jurisdiction of LAHDC Kargil, which will no longer administer the tehsils and revenue villages now falling within Sankoo district.
Elections to the new Council will be held following a formal notification under Section 8 of the Act. The order will take effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette.
The creation of Sankoo district and its Hill Development Council is widely seen as a response to the long-standing demand of residents of Suru Valley for easier access to administrative services and decentralised governance.
Tehsil Boundaries Redrawn
A third notification, S.O. 286, redefines tehsils and revenue villages across five districts. Issued under Section 5 of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996, the notification reorganises the following tehsils:
Aryan Valley Tehsil in Sham district
Sodh Tehsil in Kargil district
Phey Tehsil in Zanskar district
Thasgam Tehsil in Drass district
Changthang district from Himya Tehsil
The order specifies the revenue villages falling within each tehsil and identifies their respective headquarters. Once the notification takes effect, the listed villages will cease to be part of their previous tehsils and will come under the newly constituted administrative units.
The notification follows the creation of 17 new tehsils in July 2026, taking Ladakh’s total to 37. The administration has maintained that such restructuring is essential in a region where geography, harsh climatic conditions and long distances pose unique administrative challenges.
Durbuk SDM Gets Additional Powers
In another decision aimed at strengthening grassroots administration, the powers of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Durbuk, have been delegated to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Durbuk.
An official said the move responds to a persistent public demand and is expected to expedite service delivery in one of Ladakh’s most remote border regions.