Leh, June 29, 2025: In a significant policy shift, the Ladakh administration has notified amendments to its Reservation Rules, aimed at restructuring quota provisions to bring them in alignment with central legislations.
The newly amended Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Rules, 2025, notified by the General Administration Department, redefine the reservation framework for jobs and education in the Union Territory. This includes the reclassification of certain beneficiary groups and adjustments in percentage allocations in accordance with provisions under the Central Reservation Policy and recent legal interpretations.
Officials stated that the revised rules aim to ensure greater inclusivity, legal consistency, and fair representation for marginalized communities across Ladakh. The changes are also expected to resolve ambiguities that emerged after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in 2019.
Key highlights of the amendment include:
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Alignment of Scheduled Tribe (ST), Scheduled Caste (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) categories with central norms.
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Rationalization of sub-category reservations for local ethnic groups.
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Introduction of provisions to ensure that benefits reach the most disadvantaged sections within each category.
The move has sparked mixed reactions. While some community leaders have welcomed it as a step toward parity and legal clarity, others have urged the administration to ensure that Ladakh’s unique demography and tribal identity are not diluted under uniform national frameworks.
A senior official confirmed that a comprehensive awareness drive will follow to help stakeholders understand the new provisions and their implications.
