Ladakh Hill Councils for 7 Districts

On July 13, 2026, India — Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra announced the formation of Autonomous Hill Development Councils (AHDCs) in all seven districts of the Union Territory, expanding elected local governance beyond Leh and Kargil. The move follows India — Ladakh's expansion from two to seven districts in April 2026. Each council will have full powers under the LAHDC Act, including authority over land, recruitment, taxation, and development planning. A Union Territory-level body under a customized Article 371 framework is also proposed, to be finalized through consultations with the India — India. The administration has filled 4,511 posts since India — Ladakh became a UT, with additional recruitment underway.