First such initiative after domicile, reservation rules
Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, July 2: After setting up a legal framework to ensure fair and inclusive public employment, the Union Territory administration in Ladakh has launched a major recruitment drive for 359 Gazetted posts through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
This is the first-ever recruitment of Gazetted posts through UPSC in Ladakh since the formation of the UT on August 5, 2019.
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The exercise started just after the establishment of a legal structure tailored for Ladakh, aimed at ensuring maximum local participation in Government jobs.
The framework, designed in consultation with local representatives through a High-Powered Committee formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), includes clear domicile definitions, enhanced reservation provisions, and detailed recruitment procedures.
To implement the framework, the Government of India issued the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025 on June 2. This was followed by the Ladakh Grant of Domicile Certificate Rules on June 3, and formats for Domicile Certificates on June 27 through S.O. 76.
The reservation quota was also revised under the Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025 and new rules notified on June 27.
The new quota stands at 85 percent-80 percent for Scheduled Tribes (ST), 4 percent for Areas Adjoining the Line of Control (ALC), 1 percent for Scheduled Castes (SC)-and 10 percent for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), with 5 percent unreserved.
The vacancies under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category, if remaining unfilled, shall be treated as unreserved and shall be filled under the same select list from among candidates belonging to the unreserved ST, SC, and ALC categories, in order of merit.
The list of ALC areas in Leh and Kargil districts was also notified under SO 75.
Of the 359 Gazetted vacancies indentified across departments, 269 have been prioritised for referral to the UPSC in the first phase. These include 125 Medical Officers, 75 Lecturers, 30 Assistant Directors, 17 Assistant Engineers (PWD), 11 Assistant Engineers (PHE), and 11 Assistant Registrars. The remaining 90 are under finalisation and include technical and specialised roles.
To address delays, a one-time age relaxation of five years was also approved for recruitments in 2025-26. This is in addition to existing relaxations, with the upper age cap at 56 years.
The UT has also requested the UPSC to include Ladakh in its Single Window e-Appointment System.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary, Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal, who also heads the Ladakh Subordinate Services Staff Selection Board (LSSSSB), in a meeting today, reviewed the recruitment of non-gazetted posts, including Group B (non-gazetted) and Group C positions.
These will be filled through the LSSSB and the District Subordinate Recruitment Boards of Leh and Kargil.
The Chief Secretary directed the departments to submit vacancy requisitions urgently, particularly for key sectors.
He stressed the need for transparent and timely recruitments as per updated rules.
The meeting was attended by senior officers and officials of concerned departments.
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