JK News Today
Jammu, June 3: The Union Government on Tuesday notified a fresh set of rules for the Union Territory of Ladakh, marking a major step in safeguarding the arid region’s demographic and employment interests.
The new rules include a 15-year prospective residency requirement for domicile status, reservation of government jobs for locals, one-third seats in Hill Councils reserved for women, and the recognition of five official languages.
The announcement is being seen as a major win for Ladakh, with local leaders successfully negotiating a more favorable arrangement with the Centre compared to the post-Article 370 framework implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
While both J&K and Ladakh now require a 15-year residency for domicile eligibility, the application of this rule significantly differs. A close look at the domicile frameworks of the two Union Territories (UTs) highlights Ladakh’s relative advantage.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the residency rule applies retrospectively—anyone who has already resided in the region for 15 years qualifies for domicile status. In contrast, Ladakh has implemented a prospective clause: Only those residing in the UT for 15 years after the cut-off date of October 31, 2019, will be eligible. This effectively delays domicile eligibility for “outsiders” in Ladakh until 2034.
More importantly, the domicile provision will not affect the region’s demography, as the domicile certificate will be applicable solely for government job eligibility.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the domicile rules were first notified in May 2020 under an amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment) Act, 2010. The rules specified that any person “who has resided for a period of 15 years in the UT of J&K or has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in Class 10th/12th examination in an educational institution located in the UT of J&K” would be eligible for domicile certification. In case of former “permanent residents” or “state subjects” of J&K, as they were previously termed, the document would form the basis for the new certificate.
The new rules for the region go further ensure job protection. Nearly 95 percent of government jobs have been reserved exclusively for original natives, including those under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category. Crucially, if EWS vacancies remain unfilled, they will not be re-notified—as is the case in J&K—but instead allotted to eligible candidates from the general local waiting list. The remaining 5 percent of jobs will be open to domiciles, though these can only be filled after 2034.
Despite agreeing to the 15-year residency rule, Ladakhi leaders have not given up on their original demand for a 30-year domicile requirement. The Centre has reportedly assured Ladakh leaders that Law Ministry would examine the feasibility of implementing this longer term in future.
Sajjad Kargili, senior leader of Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) described the notification of new rules as “a partial success”.
“We had been asking for 30-year residency criterion. We agreed to the 15-year residency criteria under compulsion given the mounting pressure from unemployed youth. Even the backtracking from 30-year stay requirement to 15 years is a win for the people of Ladakh, given the 2019 cut-off date from when this is to apply. With this, we can say something is better than nothing.”
He further said the Union Home Minister has assured the Ladakh leaders for holding discussions on their two core demands including Statehood and Sixth Schedule for the region. “The next meeting of the High Powered Committee constituted by the MHA will hold discussions on the establishment of a Public Service Commission for Ladakh, and we are optimistic about resolving it soon,” he added.
A Congress leader from Jammu said, “This is not just a win for Ladakh—it’s a lesson in how regional leadership, when assertive yet pragmatic, can shape central policy to reflect local aspirations. It also reflects the importance of contextual governance: what works for one region may not suit another. The Ladakh model, as it stands today, is a testament to the power of constructive dialogue”.
