Story perspectives

India Proposes Article 371(K) for Elected Ladakh Legislature

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 4:50 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

India’s central government proposed Article 371(K) to create a directly elected Ladakh legislature.
The proposal was discussed with Ladakh groups in New Delhi on 9 September 2026.
The new body would legislate on land, culture, language, forests, environment and resources.
Law-and-order and executive control remain unresolved, with Ladakh seeking a Puducherry-type police model.
Parliament must pass the Article 371(K) amendment with a two-thirds majority after the draft is released in early October 2026.

History

Historical Context

After the 1955 States Reorganisation Commission report, the 1956 States Reorganisation Act and Seventh Amendment reorganised India into 14 linguistically based states and several Union Territories. The 1963 Union Territories Act gave Puducherry an elected assembly with a required two-thirds (66.7%) parliamentary vote. On 9 September 2026 the government proposed Article 371(K) to grant Ladakh a similar elected legislature.

1 of 2

Story summary

India’s central government proposed Article 371(K) to create a directly elected Ladakh legislature.
The proposal was discussed with Ladakh groups in New Delhi on 9 September 2026.
The new body would legislate on land, culture, language, forests, environment and resources.
Law-and-order and executive control remain unresolved, with Ladakh seeking a Puducherry-type police model.
Parliament must pass the Article 371(K) amendment with a two-thirds majority after the draft is released in early October 2026.

1 / 2