Talks between Ladakh leaders and MHA officials to resume on December 3

Srinagar: Talks between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ladakh leaders are set to take place in New Delhi on December 3, with a potential agreement on establishing a dedicated Public Service Commission (PSC) for the region emerging as a key focus.

Leaders from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing Ladakh’s interests, are scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on December 1 where they plan to hold a joint meeting ahead of the talks to finalize their strategy.

The LAB and KDA are a collective representing several social, religious, political and student organisations of the region.

While maintaining their firm stance on the four key demands: statehood for Ladakh, inclusion of the Union territory in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and the setting up of an exclusive public service commission for the high-altitude region, the discussions will initially focus on issues deemed easier to resolve, with the establishment of a PSC likely to take precedence, sources said.

The LAB and KDC leaders have received indications from the government that progress on this demand is feasible, paving the way for administrative efficiency and local employment opportunities tailored to Ladakh’s unique needs.

“We have been demanding dedicated PSC for Ladakh but Jammu and Kashmir PSC will also be acceptable to us. However, we have decided not to accept the proposal of Ladakh becoming part of DANIAS (Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu Civil Services),” LAB co-Chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk said.

There has been no recruitment of gazetted officers in Ladakh since it became the UT more than five years ago in absence of the PSC. During this period, many youth have turned over-age. The Apex Body and KDA will be seeking age relaxation for the youth after the issue of the PSC is resolved.

However, the demand for two Parliamentary seats remains a challenge. The leaders have reportedly been informed that this issue cannot be addressed until the next Delimitation Commission is constituted, which is expected only after 2026.

The inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which guarantees protections to land and a nominal autonomy for the country’s tribal areas, also remains a contentious demand.

Ladakh’s demands for increased autonomy and constitutional protections have been growing since August 2019, when the Centre reorganized Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. Influential groups like the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have led a five-year agitation advocating for these demands.