The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh, marking a significant step towards improving governance and ensuring that development and welfare schemes reach the grassroots level. The new districts—Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang—will bring the total number of districts in Ladakh to seven, joining the existing districts of Leh and Kargil.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), hailed the decision, stating that the creation of these new districts would enhance governance and prosperity in the region. He emphasized that the focused attention on these areas would bring essential services and opportunities closer to the people of Ladakh.
Home Minister Amit Shah also announced the decision on X, aligning it with the broader vision of developing and prospering Ladakh. He highlighted that the new districts would help deliver government benefits more effectively by strengthening governance at the local level.
The MHA has directed the Ladakh administration to form a committee to evaluate various aspects related to the establishment of the new districts, including determining their headquarters, boundaries, and administrative structures. The committee is expected to submit its report within three months, after which the Ladakh administration will present a final proposal to the MHA for further action.
Ladakh, which became a Union Territory in 2019 following the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, faces unique challenges due to its large area, difficult terrain, and low population density. The creation of new districts is expected to address these challenges by making it easier for the district administration to reach remote areas and ensuring that public welfare schemes are more accessible to the local population.
The Modi government has been actively working to boost development in Ladakh, having approved nine schemes worth over ₹21,000 crores exclusively for the region since 2015. The MHA’s latest decision is seen as a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to promote the all-round development of Ladakh.