Ladakh to Get Unique Governance Model with Proposed Article 371-K Creating Legislative Assembly

In Brief

1. The Centre proposes Article 371-K to establish Ladakh's legislative assembly.
2. Ladakh became a Union Territory under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
3. Local groups had demanded Sixth Schedule status to protect Ladakh’s culture.
4. The new model aims to provide direct representation without Sixth Schedule provisions.

Ladakh, carved out as a Union Territory separate from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, has seen ongoing concerns from local communities about preserving their cultural identity and political rights. These groups had called for Sixth Schedule protections, which provide autonomy to tribal areas.

To address these issues, the Centre has proposed inserting Article 371-K into the Constitution. This article would create a directly elected legislative assembly uniquely tailored for Ladakh’s governance needs, differing from full state or Sixth Schedule status.

The initiative intends to balance local aspirations for self-governance with the administrative framework of a Union Territory. It provides Ladakh with political representation through a legislative body while keeping its distinct cultural aspects acknowledged through constitutional provisions.

Officials say this model aims to maintain Ladakh’s cultural heritage and promote effective governance without extending Sixth Schedule autonomy, which involves special tribal provisions not currently applicable to Ladakh.