# Centre's Ladakh framework gives the L-G final authority over laws of a new elected body

URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-21/ladakh-lg-final-say-framework/
Date: 21 October 2026 (2026-10-21)
Source: The Hindu, Page 10
UPSC papers: GS2
Publisher: upsc.help (Pratidin), free and open-source UPSC Civil Services current affairs. Not affiliated with UPSC. Every fact was checked against the source reports by a separate review before publishing.

**In one line:** The Centre's written framework for Ladakh offers a directly elected UT-level body, but laws made by it would need the Lieutenant-Governor's assent, with the L-G having the final word.

The Hindu reported on 21 October 2026 that the Centre's draft framework for Ladakh would make the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) the final authority over laws made by a proposed elected body at the Union Territory (UT) level. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) document is titled "Constitutional and Statutory Framework". The MHA shared the framework with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on 16 October 2026, after talks in Leh on 15 October. Ladakh's Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said the document was meant to facilitate further discussion and was not the outcome of a concluded legislative process.

The framework proposes two stages: first a constitutional amendment, then a regulation under Article 240, which lets the President make regulations for certain UTs with the force of an Act of Parliament. It leaves key questions open: whether constituencies should be delimited by population, by area or both; which electoral rolls to use; whether women should get one-third to 50% of seats; whether the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) of Leh and Kargil should get constitutional status; and whether nominated expert members should sit in the body. On 9 September 2026 the MHA had proposed a new Article 371(K), a special provision giving the body powers over land, culture, forests and environment.

Ladakh became a UT without a legislature on 31 October 2019, after Article 370 was revoked and the State of Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised. The LAB and KDA have demanded statehood, Sixth Schedule status and protection of land and jobs; the MHA set up a High Powered Committee for talks in 2023. The groups have rejected the draft "in principle", saying it breaks a 22 May understanding that the minimum guarantee would be a UT with an elected legislature. The groups argue that a body without the final word is not a real legislature.

## Prelims facts

- The MHA's "Constitutional and Statutory Framework" for Ladakh makes the L-G the final authority over laws of a proposed UT-level elected body.
- The framework plans a constitutional amendment followed by a regulation under Article 240.
- Open questions include delimitation by population or area, electoral rolls, a women's share of one-third to 50%, and constitutional status for the LAHDCs.
- The MHA proposed a new Article 371(K) for Ladakh on 9 September 2026; Article 371 to 371J now cover 12 States.
- Ladakh has been a UT without a legislature since 31 October 2019; its groups want statehood and Sixth Schedule status.

## Quick recall

- **What is the MHA's Ladakh document called?** "Constitutional and Statutory Framework"
- **Who would have the final authority over laws of Ladakh's proposed UT-level body?** The Lieutenant-Governor
- **Which Article lets the President make regulations for certain UTs?** Article 240
- **What new Article did the MHA propose for Ladakh on 9 September 2026?** Article 371(K)
- **When did Ladakh become a UT without a legislature?** 31 October 2019
- **Under which Act do the Leh and Kargil hill councils function?** The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, 1997
- **Which four States have Sixth Schedule areas?** Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
- **What range of seats for women is under discussion for Ladakh's new body?** One-third to 50%

## Prelims practice question

With reference to Article 240 of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements:
1. It empowers the President to make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of certain Union Territories.
2. A regulation made under it may repeal or amend an Act of Parliament applicable to that Union Territory.
3. The President can use it for Puducherry even while the Puducherry Legislative Assembly is functioning.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only. Statement 1 is correct: this is the purpose of Article 240(1). Statement 2 is correct: Article 240(2) gives a regulation the force of an Act of Parliament and lets it repeal or amend laws applying to the UT. Statement 3 is incorrect: for Puducherry the power is available only when its Assembly is dissolved or its functioning is suspended.

## UPSC previous-year questions this connects to

- UPSC Mains 2026, GS2: How far has the Indian federal framework been successful in accommodating regional and cultural diversities? Highlight the role of asymmetric federalism and suggest measures to make dispute resolution mechanisms more effective. (https://upsc.help/pyq/q053-far-has-indian-federal-framework-successful-accommodating/)
  How to use this story in the answer: Use Ladakh to show asymmetric federalism being extended to a Union Territory, and the limits of a design that keeps the final word with the Centre.
- UPSC Mains 2026, GS3: Ladakh is strategically located between China and Pakistan. As a measure to win hearts and minds of locals, discuss the Border Area Development Programmes (BADP) by the Central Government and civic actions by the Army. Also discuss demand of promulgation of provision of the Sixth Schedule of constitution for Ladakh. (https://upsc.help/pyq/q052-ladakh-strategically-located-between-china-pakistan-measure/)
  How to use this story in the answer: Use the framework to explain how the Centre has answered the Sixth Schedule demand with a different constitutional model.
- UPSC Prelims 2015, Prelims: The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes (b) determine the boundaries between States (c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats (d) protect the interests of all the border States (https://upsc.help/pyq/q055-provisions-fifth-schedule-sixth-schedule-constitution-india/)

## Mains practice question

The Centre's proposed framework for Ladakh offers an elected body but keeps the final word with the Lieutenant-Governor. Discuss the constitutional options for Ladakh and the concerns they raise. (250 words)

### Model answer

Ladakh has been a Union Territory (UT) without a legislature since 31 October 2019. The MHA's October 2026 framework offers a directly elected UT-level body, but its laws would need the Lieutenant-Governor's (L-G's) assent.

## Constitutional options

- **Article 240 route:** the President already makes regulations for Ladakh (2025 regulations on jobs, domicile, languages, women's seats in hill councils). The framework plans an amendment followed by an Article 240 regulation.
- **Article 371(K):** proposed on 9 September 2026, modelled on Articles 371 to 371J that protect customs and land in 12 States, such as Article 371A for Nagaland.
- **Sixth Schedule:** demanded by the LAB and KDA; it gives autonomous councils law-making powers in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
- **UT with legislature or statehood:** the Puducherry model or a State, which Ladakh's Chief Secretary has said is not on offer.

## Concerns

- **Final word with the L-G:** the groups say a body whose laws need L-G approval is not a real legislature, and that the draft breaks the 22 May understanding.
- **Open design questions:** delimitation by population or area, electoral rolls, a women's share of one-third to 50%, nominated members.
- **Overlap with LAHDCs:** the statutory hill councils of Leh and Kargil need a clear division of powers.
- **Security:** Ladakh borders China and Pakistan, so control over administration and security is sensitive.

## Way forward

- Settle the open questions by consensus before drafting the amendment.
- Give the body clear protected subjects such as land and culture, with L-G assent limited to defined grounds.
- Give the LAHDCs constitutional status with defined functions.

Ladakh can show how asymmetric federalism balances regional identity with national security, if the elected body has real powers.

## The basics

## Why this matters

Ladakh is the only Union Territory (UT) created in 2019 without any legislature. The Centre and Ladakh's two main coalitions are now negotiating what elected body it should get, and with what powers. The answer will test how flexible Indian federalism is.

## How a UT is governed

Under Article 239, every UT is administered by the President through an administrator, who in some UTs is called the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G). Puducherry, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir have legislatures. Ladakh does not. For a group of UTs, Article 240 adds a second tool: the President can make regulations for their "peace, progress and good government", and such a regulation can repeal or amend an Act of Parliament that applies there. In 2025 the President used this route for Ladakh, for example to reserve one-third of seats in the hill councils for women.

## What the Centre has proposed

The MHA framework, shared with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on 16 October 2026, plans a directly elected UT-level body. It would be created in two stages: a constitutional amendment first, then a regulation under Article 240. As reported on 21 October, laws made by the body would need the L-G's assent, and the L-G would have the final word. On 9 September the MHA had floated a new Article 371(K).

## The competing demands

The LAB and KDA have long asked for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, which gives tribal areas in four north-eastern States autonomous councils with law-making powers. The Centre has instead offered a tailored model. The groups say the draft departs from a 22 May understanding that the minimum would be a UT with an elected legislature. One open question is whether the statutory Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils should get constitutional status.

## Sources

- https://superkalam.com/current-affairs/21-10-2026/centre-s-plan-for-ladakh-gives-l-g-final-authority-over-laws-pg10-81cf974c-8499-4ea3-a4e7-7db9669a0532
- https://newsable.asianetnews.com/india/ladakh-sees-major-infra-push-mha-proposes-framework-for-elected-body-articleshow-v9469ky
- https://m.thewire.in/article/politics/ladakh-bodies-reject-union-govts-draft-say-it-breaks-may-22-agreement
- https://www.outlookindia.com/national/what-is-article-371k-and-how-could-it-change-ladakhs-governance
- https://www.newsonair.gov.in/president-murmu-promulgates-amendment-reserving-one-third-seats-for-women-in-ladakh-hill-councils
- https://www.newsdrum.in/national/consensus-on-elected-body-for-ladakh-but-key-questions-remain-unresolved-12518449