27 April,2026 05:54 PM IST | Leh | mid-day online correspondent
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said the decision aligns with the vision of PM Modi. Pic/X
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory, calling it a "historic day" for the region.
The decision, he said, fulfils long-standing demands of the people and aims to strengthen local governance.
In a post on X, the LG confirmed the approval of the notification for the new districts. The newly created administrative units are Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass. With this, Ladakh will now have seven districts in total.
"I have approved the notification for creation of five new districts in Ladakh, fulfilling the aspirations and long pending demand of the people of Ladakh," Saxena wrote on X.
Earlier, Ladakh comprised only two districts - Leh and Kargil. It is the largest Union Territory in India by area but one of the least populated, with a population of around 2.74 lakh as per the 2011 Census. The region spans 86,904 square kilometres and shares borders with China and Pakistan.
According to the LG, the decision aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a developed and prosperous Ladakh.
He noted that the move has already been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The creation of new districts is expected to bring administration closer to people, improve service delivery, and support faster governance, especially in remote and difficult-to-access areas.
Officials said the restructuring will open up new opportunities for growth, employment, and entrepreneurship in the region. It is also expected to enhance grassroots-level administration and development planning, reported the PTI.
"Creation of new districts, apart from bringing governance closer to citizens, will create new avenues for growth, employment and entrepreneurship. I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that every citizen of Ladakh benefits from this historic decision, as we move together towards a brighter, stronger and more prosperous future," the LG further wrote on X.
Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Since then, it has been administered directly by the Union Home Ministry.
(with PTI inputs)
