Ladakh’s Demand for Statehood & Sixth Schedule Inclusion | 29 Sep 2025

This editorial is based on “​ Mistrust in Ladakh: On the violence, legitimate aspirations”, which was published in The Hindu on 26/09/2025. The article examines the September 2025 unrest in Ladakh, where protests over statehood, autonomy, and local rights turned violent, revealing tensions between regional aspirations and the Centre’s security priorities.

The recent violent unrest in Ladakh brought long-standing demands for Ladakh's statehood, recognition under the  Sixth Schedule, local autonomy, and rights to the forefront, exposing a critical tension between regional aspirations and national security, and underscoring the urgent need for inclusive dialogue and effective governance in this sensitive region.

What Makes Ladakh Significant for India?

• Geopolitical Importance: Ladakh is also known as “the Land of Passes” (La-passes, dakh-land).
  • Strategic location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and East Asia gives it immense geopolitical significance.
• Strategic Significance:
  • Serves as a buffer zone between India and neighbouring countries, including China and Pakistan.
  • Ongoing border disputes with China and Pakistan underscore its importance in safeguarding India's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
• Tourism Potential:
  • Known as Lama Land or Little Tibet, it is at altitudes between 9,000 feet and 25,170 feet.
  • A notable attraction is the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, one of the world's highest and most pristine sites for astronomical observation, attracting tourists interested in stargazing and astrophotography.
  • Offers trekking, mountaineering, and Buddhist tours of monasteries.
• Economic Importance:
  • Possesses vast untapped economic potential in tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy.
    • Recent initiatives promoting economic growth in Ladakh include hosting the first phase of the 2025 Khelo India Winter Games, launching women entrepreneurship schemes under the 2025 Union Budget, expanding renewable energy projects, and developing infrastructure like tunnels and 4G connectivity.
  • Pristine lakes and majestic mountains of Pangong and Tso Moriri attract adventure and leisure tourism.
• Environmental Significance:
  • Fertile valleys and river basins offer opportunities for agriculture, including organic farming and horticulture.
    • Key rivers in Ladakh include the Indus, Zanskar, Shyok, and Suru rivers, which support irrigation and sustain local ecosystems.
  • Abundant sunlight and wind resources make it suitable for solar and wind energy projects, supporting India's renewable energy goals.
• Cultural Significance:
  • Located on the ancient Silk Route , vital for culture, religion, trade, and commerce in the past.
  • Home to diverse ethnic communities: Ladakhi, Tibetan, and Balti, each with distinct traditions and customs.
  • Centuries-old monasteries like Hemis, Thiksey, and Diskit serve as spiritual and cultural centres, preserving ancient Buddhist teachings and practices.

What are the Main Arguments Supporting Ladakh's Demand for Statehood and Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule?

• Political Autonomy and Democratic Representation: Ladakh, as a Union Territory without a legislature since 2019, lacks elected representatives and legislative power. 
  • When Ladakh was part of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), an elected body that governed the region, enjoyed significant autonomy. 
  • But with the region now under the direct rule of the central government, Ladakhi leaders say the LAHDC has been reduced to footnotes, leading to a feeling of political dispossession.
    • Diminished representation now has led to fears that outsiders will decide for Ladakh.
  • Statehood would restore full political representation and governance powers, similar to Jammu & Kashmir UT, which has an elected government. 
  • Sixth Schedule inclusion would further empower local Autonomous District Councils with legislative and executive authority, ensuring decentralised governance.
• Protection of Tribal Identity and Culture: Over 97% of Ladakh’s population belongs to the Scheduled Tribes. 
  •  As part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh had enjoyed the privileges of special status under Article 370 and Article 35A. 
  • Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule provides constitutional safeguards to protect tribal customs, land rights, and cultural identity, crucial amid fears of demographic dilution after the abrogation of Article 370.
• Preservation of Land and Natural Resources: Ladakh's fragile ecosystem, characterised by high-altitude deserts, glaciers, and alpine meadows, is a hotspot of biodiversity and serves as a crucial habitat for rare and endangered species.
  • Climate activists have flagged concerns regarding mining in the glacial ecology.
  • Some critics argue that the people in Ladakh are concerned that industries will bring lakhs of people, and this fragile ecosystem cannot support such numbers.
  • Careful management of water resources within Ladakh is vitally important, not only for the livelihoods of Ladakhis and the ecosystems of Ladakh, but also for the health of the whole river system.
  • Sixth Schedule councils possess powers over land use, forest management, and resource regulation, providing a mechanism to ensure sustainable development in ecologically sensitive areas.
• Economic Development Focused on Local Needs: Statehood combined with Sixth Schedule status promises targeted development funds, enhancing infrastructure, education, employment, and healthcare tailored to Ladakhi priorities. 
  • The current administrative setup has limited capacity for region-specific economic planning.
  • Ladakh does not have its own Public Service Commission, hindering efficient local recruitment and exacerbating youth unemployment.
  • Ladakh faces a severe unemployment crisis, with graduate unemployment at 26.5%, more than double the national average, highlighting the urgency for local employment opportunities.
  • Locals demand strict domicile-based job reservations and greater employment opportunities to tackle regional unemployment. 
  • Constitutional recognition through the Sixth Schedule can institutionalise these protections.
• Ensuring Security and Strategic Autonomy: Ladakh’s position on disputed borders with China and Pakistan requires sensitive governance balancing regional autonomy with national security. 
  • Statehood would allow focused development and governance while Sixth Schedule councils could manage local affairs without undermining military logistics.

What is the Sixth Schedule?

• About: The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 provides for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions- Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), that have legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy within a state.
  • The Sixth Schedule contains special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the four north-eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

• Autonomous Districts Council: The tribal areas in these four states have been constituted as autonomous districts. The Governor is empowered to organise and reorganise the autonomous districts.
  • Each autonomous district has a district council consisting of up to 30 members, of whom 4 are nominated by the Governor and the remaining 26 are elected on the basis of adult franchise.
• Powers of the Council:
  • The district and regional councils administer the areas under their jurisdiction.
  • They can make laws on specified matters like land, forests, canal water, shifting cultivation, village administration, inheritance of property, marriage and divorce, social customs, etc., but all laws require the assent of the Governor.
  • They can constitute village councils or courts for trial of suits and cases between the tribes and hear appeals from them. The jurisdiction of the high court over these suits and cases is specified by the Governor.
  • The district council can establish, construct, or manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, ferries, fisheries, roads, etc., in the district.
  • They are empowered to assess and collect land revenue and to impose specified taxes.

What are the Arguments Against Statehood & Inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule?

• Concerns over Statehood: While statehood would provide full legislative powers and greater autonomy, it could also complicate administrative and security coordination in the sensitive border region, with some fearing it may affect India’s strategic control and diplomatic posture regarding China and Pakistan.
  • Ladakh’s status as a Union Territory reinforces India’s sovereignty over the region, strengthening its diplomatic position in negotiations with China over border disputes.
• Legal and Constitutional Hurdles: The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution is explicitly intended for tribal areas in the Northeast, while other tribal areas are governed under the Fifth Schedule. 
  • Extending it to Ladakh would require a constitutional amendment, posing significant legal and procedural challenges.
• Increased Administrative Complexity and Delays: Inclusion could add bureaucratic layers and complexities, potentially slowing down decision-making processes essential for effective governance in a strategically sensitive and remote region.
  • With Ladakh directly governed by a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the central government, there is a clear chain of command for security operations in the region.
• Existing Developmental Support: The Union Territory administration of Ladakh already receives substantial funds and developmental assistance. 
• The Union Territory administration of Ladakh has increased reservation support significantly in 2025.
• According to the Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025:
  • The overall reservation cap was raised from 50% to 85%.
  • Reservation for Scheduled Tribes (ST) was sharply increased to 80%.
• Potential Hindrance to Economic Growth: Restrictions on land use and resource exploitation inherent in the Sixth Schedule may deter investments and infrastructure projects crucial for Ladakh's socio-economic development, especially given its strategic location and need for enhanced connectivity.
  • While some groups strongly demand Sixth Schedule inclusion, others prefer strengthening existing local bodies like the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC), which they see as more practical and less disruptive to governance structures.
• Risk of Setting Precedent: Granting Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh might prompt similar demands from other regionally distinct tribal communities across India, potentially complicating federal governance and constitutional balance.

What Measures can be Adopted to Address Ladakh’s Governance and Autonomy Challenges?

• Expand Powers of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs): Strengthen legislative, executive, and judicial authority of LAHDCs in Leh and Kargil over local governance, resource management, and cultural preservation.
  • This builds on existing institutions without requiring constitutional amendments, fostering grassroots democracy and addressing autonomy demands.
• Special Legislative Status with Limited Autonomy: Introduce a dedicated Act of Parliament under Article 240 to grant Ladakh’s representatives law-making powers on local matters, while maintaining central control over defence and security. 
  • This hybrid model balances regional aspirations with national strategic interests.
• Constitutional Amendment for a Tailored Sixth Schedule Model: Explore a modified Sixth Schedule framework, inspired by tribal autonomous councils in Northeast India, tailored for Ladakh’s ethnic, geographic, and security context. 
  • A joint committee of local leaders and central authorities can draft safeguards, ensuring autonomy with accountability and preventing misuse of powers.
• Enhanced Financial Devolution and Development Grants: Increase direct financial transfers and central grants for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and renewable energy. 
  • Use centrally sponsored schemes and international climate finance mechanisms (e.g., Green Climate Fund) to promote sustainable development in Ladakh’s fragile ecology and generate local jobs.
• Create a Ladakh Public Service Commission (LPSC): Establish a separate Public Service Commission to ensure domicile-based recruitment and reservation policies. 
  • With youth unemployment at 26.5% (double the national average), this would enhance local employment equity, prevent economic disenfranchisement, and empower Ladakhi youth participation in governance.
• Institutionalised Dialogue and Conflict Resolution Platforms: Create a permanent consultation forum involving Leh Apex Body (LAB), Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the central government, and security agencies. 
  • Regular dialogues would build trust, conflict resolution, and inclusive planning. 
  • Models from Northeast India’s autonomy councils provide practical governance lessons.
• Fair Trials and Judicious Application of Laws: To maintain local goodwill, ensure fair judicial processes, transparency, and judicious use of laws like the  National Security Act (NSA) to avoid alienating the local population and escalating tensions amid the demand for statehood and autonomy.
  • Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent voice advocating for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards for Ladakh, has led hunger strikes and protests since 2023, but recently became controversial, accused by the Government of inciting unrest during the 2025 protests and detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
• Protection of Cultural Heritage and Environmental Sustainability: Adopt legal safeguards to protect languages, traditions, and fragile ecosystems from commercialisation and extractive industries. 
  • Drawing from Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness and Nepal’s community forestry programs, policies can ensure balanced development, cultural preservation, and ecological resilience.

Conclusion: 

Ladakh’s demands for statehood, Sixth Schedule status, and greater autonomy reflect the need for inclusive governance, cultural preservation, and sustainable development while safeguarding national security. A phased, consultative approach—strengthening LAHDCs, ensuring local employment, and promoting ecological balance—offers the best way forward, echoing Gandhi’s words: “The world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not enough for everyone’s greed.”