{"id":126673,"date":"2026-09-29T11:45:26","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T06:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=126673"},"modified":"2026-09-29T11:45:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T06:15:26","slug":"ladakh-governance-model","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/ladakh-governance-model\/","title":{"rendered":"Ladakh Governance Model &#8211; Sixth Schedule and Article 371-K Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Ladakh Governance Model Latest News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ladakh\u2019s demand for Sixth Schedule status has been accompanied by a proposal to create a directly elected legislative body through a new constitutional provision, <\/span><b>Article 371-K<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Ladakh\u2019s Governance Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ladakh became a <\/span><b>Union Territory without a Legislative Assembly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/jammu-and-kashmir-reorganisation-act-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The change generated concerns among local groups regarding protection of the region\u2019s <\/span><b>culture, language, traditions, customary practices and land rights<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, along with demands for greater political representation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sixth Schedule emerged as a major demand because it provides constitutionally recognised mechanisms for <\/span><b>autonomous local governance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, particularly in areas with significant tribal populations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The current debate therefore concerns how Ladakh can receive greater local participation and institutional protection while retaining its status as a Union Territory.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>About the Sixth Schedule<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/sixth-schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Sixth Schedule<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is implemented through <\/span><b>Articles 244(2) and 275(1)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Constitution and currently applies to specified tribal areas in <\/span><b>Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It provides for <\/span><b>Autonomous District Councils<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with substantial powers over local governance.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A district council can have a maximum of <\/span><b>30 members<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with the institutional structure designed to provide greater autonomy to communities in designated areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The historical basis of the Sixth Schedule lies partly in the administrative treatment of several tribal areas during British rule. Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram subsequently became separate States while retaining Sixth Schedule protections in specified areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The underlying objective is to provide institutional mechanisms through which distinct tribal communities can participate in governing matters affecting their social, cultural and economic interests.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Why Has Ladakh Demanded Sixth Schedule Status?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ladakh has a distinctive <\/span><b>ethnic, cultural and geographical character<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which has contributed to demands for stronger constitutional safeguards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The major concerns include:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protection of local languages, traditions and customary practices.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safeguarding local land rights against excessive acquisition by outsiders.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater political representation for the local population.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater participation in decisions affecting development and governance.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The demand also reflects the broader constitutional objective of accommodating India&#8217;s diverse social and cultural communities within democratic institutions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Proposed Article 371-K<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of extending Sixth Schedule provisions to Ladakh, the Central Government has proposed inserting <\/span><b>Article 371-K<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into <\/span><b>Part XXI of the Constitution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which deals with temporary, transitional and special provisions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proposed framework seeks to create a <\/span><b>directly elected legislative authority<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for Ladakh while maintaining the Union Territory&#8217;s existing constitutional position.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proposed institution could potentially be placed above the existing <\/span><b>Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while retaining panchayats and other district-level institutions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The objective is to establish a governance structure that combines <\/span><b>local democratic participation with Union-level administration<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Key Questions Under the Proposed Model<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><b>Role of the Lieutenant Governor<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The precise relationship between the proposed legislative authority and the <\/span><b>Lieutenant Governor<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would need to be defined, particularly regarding executive and administrative powers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Financial Autonomy<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The extent of financial powers available to the proposed authority is another important issue. This includes questions concerning taxation, expenditure and control over financial resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Relationship with Existing Institutions<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proposed body would have to function alongside the <\/span><b>LAHDCs, panchayats and district-level institutions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Clear allocation of functions would be necessary to avoid overlapping jurisdictions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>National Security<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ladakh&#8217;s strategic geographical location makes national security an important consideration in designing its governance framework. The proposed model therefore seeks to balance local autonomy with the Union&#8217;s responsibilities relating to territorial security.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Is Special Constitutional Status for a UT Possible?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing a special governance arrangement to a Union Territory is constitutionally possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India&#8217;s constitutional framework does not follow a completely uniform model for every territorial unit.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parliament has previously created special arrangements for Union Territories, including the <\/span><b>National Capital Territory of Delhi under Articles 239AA and 239AB<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, a special constitutional provision for Ladakh would represent another example of differentiated governance within India&#8217;s federal structure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Balancing Local Autonomy and National Administration<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ladakh debate illustrates an important feature of Indian federalism: <\/span><b>constitutional governance can accommodate different institutional arrangements for different territories<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The challenge is to create sufficient space for local democratic participation and protection of cultural interests while maintaining administrative coordination and national responsibilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A directly elected legislative authority under a special constitutional provision could potentially provide a framework for this balance, although its effectiveness would depend on the precise distribution of legislative, administrative and financial powers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/a-new-governance-model-for-ladakh\/article71521255.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TH<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understand the Ladakh Governance Model, focusing on Ladakh\u2019s demand for Sixth Schedule status and the proposed Article 371-K framework for balancing local self-government and national administration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":126731,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[10548,60,22,59],"class_list":["post-126673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","tag-ladakh-governance-model","tag-mains-articles","tag-upsc-current-affairs","tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126673"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":126737,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126673\/revisions\/126737"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}