Union Territories

In the news

• Centre's Ladakh framework gives the L-G final authority over laws of a new elected body 21 October 2026 · The Hindu

  Ladakh may finally get an elected body. Will it make laws, or only propose them to the L-G?

• CJI inaugurates Ladakh Bench of the J&K and Ladakh High Court in Leh 19 October 2026 · The Hindu

  For seven years Ladakh shared a High Court it could reach only across the Himalayas. What changes now?

• Ladakh notifies autonomous hill development councils for all seven districts 4 September 2026 · Indian Express

  Will five new hill councils answer Ladakh's demand for a real say in how it is governed?

Key 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. (21 October 2026)
• The framework plans a constitutional amendment followed by a regulation under Article 240. (21 October 2026)
• The Ladakh Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was inaugurated at Leh on 18 October 2026; hearings begin on 21 October. (19 October 2026)
• The legal basis is a presidential Regulation of 27 August 2026 under Article 240, read with Section 58(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. (19 October 2026)
• On 3 September 2026, Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor approved notification of hill development councils for all seven districts under the LAHDC Act, 1997. (4 September 2026)
• The five new councils are for Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass; earlier only Leh and Kargil had elected councils. (4 September 2026)

Previous-year questions

1. 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks 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…
2. 2026 · GS3 · 10 marks 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…
3. 2024 · GS2 · 10 marks Explain and distinguish between Lok Adalats and Arbitration Tribunals. Whether they entertain civil as well as criminal cases?
4. 2022 · GS2 · 10 marks To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots?
5. 2020 · Prelims In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens? 1. Person with an annual income of less than Rs 1,00,000 2. Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs…
6. 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…