SRINAGAR: The President of India has promulgated the Union Territory of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, reserving 85 percent of jobs in Ladakh, marking a key development for the region.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, in its application to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
According to the new provisions, the total reservation in Ladakh is now capped at 85 percent, excluding the quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
As per an understanding reached between the Union Government, the Leh Apex Body, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, 80 percent of posts will be reserved for Scheduled Tribes, four percent for residents living near the ALC/LoC, and one percent for Scheduled Castes.
The Regulation specifies that Section 5 of the JK Reservation Act shall not apply to EWS. Vacancies for EWS shall be filled as prescribed separately.
Section 5 of the Act pertains to the process for filling reserved category vacancies during recruitment. In the Jammu and Kashmir context, unfilled reserved category vacancies are carried forward to the next recruitment cycle, and if they remain unfilled for over three years, they are treated as de-reserved.
Separately, the President has also promulgated The Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment Regulations, 2025, which defines domicile eligibility for government jobs in Ladakh.
The Regulations apply to all gazetted and non-gazetted posts within departments, services, or companies under the administration’s control.
According to the MHA notification, the Regulations apply to appointments under the UT administration or any local authority (excluding cantonment boards) within Ladakh.
Individuals who have resided in the region for at least 15 years, or studied in Ladakh for at least seven years and appeared for their Class 10 or 12 examinations there, will be considered domiciles.
Children of central government officers, officials of public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, public sector banks, central universities, and recognised research institutions who have served in Ladakh for a total of ten years will also be eligible.
Additionally, the spouse of a domicile of Ladakh will also be deemed a domicile.
The MHA has also notified The Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment—Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules, 2025, defining five eligible categories for domicile status.
Under these rules, individuals holding a Ladakh Resident Certificate (LRC), or eligible for one, will qualify as domiciles, as will their children.
Children of Ladakh residents living outside the region due to employment or business will also be eligible.
Those who have lived in Ladakh for at least 15 years since October 31, 2019, will qualify for domicile certificates, along with their children.
Individuals who have studied in Ladakh for seven years and appeared for their Class 10 or 12 examinations from October 31, 2019, onwards will also be eligible.
Children of central government officials who have served in Ladakh for ten years since its designation as a Union Territory on October 31, 2019, will also be eligible for government jobs in the region. (KNO)
