Ladakh's demands explained: Sixth Schedule, statehood and the protests

Ladakh has been in the news again as activists and local groups press long-standing demands about how the region is governed. To understand the issue, it helps to recall what changed in 2019. That year, Parliament reorganised the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. Article 370, which gave the old state a special status, was read down, and the area was split into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir (with a legislature) and Ladakh (without a legislature). A Union Territory is governed more directly by the central government through a Lieutenant Governor, unlike a full state that has its own elected assembly and Chief Minister.

Many people in Ladakh welcomed becoming a separate Union Territory, but a movement soon grew around four main demands. The first is full statehood, so that local people can elect their own legislature and have a greater say in decisions. The second is protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The Sixth Schedule allows tribal areas in some states to set up Autonomous District Councils that can make laws on land, forests, culture and local administration. As Ladakh has a large tribal population, residents want similar safeguards. The third and fourth demands are local job reservation for Ladakhi youth and protection of land, so that the region's fragile environment and distinct culture are not put under pressure by outside settlement.

Two local bodies lead this campaign. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) represents groups based in the Leh district, while the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) represents groups in the Kargil district. Although the two districts differ on some issues, they have come together on the core demands of statehood, Sixth Schedule status and safeguards for jobs and land. The central government has held several rounds of talks with these bodies through a high-level committee, and discussions are continuing. Separately, the climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is well known for his work in Ladakh, has said he plans to begin a hunger strike on June 28, 2026 to draw attention to these demands and to questions of accountability in governance and the environment.

For students, this story brings together several parts of the Constitution: the special status under Article 370 and its reorganisation, the difference between a state and a Union Territory, and the special protections the Sixth Schedule gives to tribal areas. It also shows how local geography, culture and environment shape demands for self-government in a high-altitude border region. The matter remains under discussion, and no final decision has been announced on statehood or Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.