Sankoo Becomes Ladakh’s Eighth District

On October 16, 2026, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced that Sankoo, a region in the Suru Valley with a population of about 40,548, was being carved out of Kargil district to become Ladakh’s eighth district. The new district will be headquartered in Sankoo town and will comprise the tehsils of Sankoo, GM Pore, TSG and Taisuru. A separate Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) for Sankoo was also notified, with elections to follow.

Sankoo Becomes Ladakh's 8th District, Gets Separate Hill Council Deccan ChronicleSankoo Becomes Ladakh’s Eighth District; Here’s All You Need To Know About The Region Hindustan TimesFrom 2 to 8 districts: Ladakh announces Sankoo as new district, adds 5 tehsils Hindustan TimesLadakh gets new district: LG Saxena announces creation of Sankoo as 8th district Ladakh LG announces Sankoo as new district days after BJP move

Ladakh became a Union Territory in October 2019, initially with only Leh and Kargil districts. In April 2026, Saxena approved five new districts—Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass—raising the total to seven. The Sankoo decision follows a long-standing local demand voiced by community leaders and the BJP’s Ladakh unit earlier in the month.

From 2 to 8 districts: Ladakh announces Sankoo as new district, adds 5 tehsils New Indian ExpressHindustan TimesSankoo Becomes Ladakh's 8th District, Gets Separate Hill Council Ladakh gets new district: LG Saxena announces creation of Sankoo as 8th district Sankoo Becomes Ladakh’s Eighth District; Here’s All You Need To Know About The Region Ladakh administration announces Sankoo as eighth district Hindustan Times

• April 27, 2026 – Notification for five new districts.

Deccan Chronicle

• July 12, 2026 – Announcement of 17 new tehsils.

Deccan Chronicle

• October 16, 2026 – Sankoo declared the eighth district; five new tehsils announced across Ladakh.

Deccan Chronicle

• October 22, 2026 (scheduled) – Talks between the Centre and Ladakh representatives on governance structures.

Sankoo Becomes Ladakh's 8th District, Gets Separate Hill Council

The Sankoo district will contain four tehsils: Sankoo, GM Pore, TSG and Taisuru. The LAHDC Sankoo, created under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997, will assume powers previously exercised by the Kargil Hill Council. Five new tehsils—Aryan Valley (Sham), Sodh (Kargil), Phey (Zanskar), Thasgam (Drass) and Himya (Changthang)—bring Ladakh’s total to 37.

From 2 to 8 districts: Ladakh announces Sankoo as new district, adds 5 tehsils Sankoo Becomes Ladakh's 8th District, Gets Separate Hill Council Deccan ChronicleHindustan TimesLadakh gets new district: LG Saxena announces creation of Sankoo as 8th district Sankoo Becomes Ladakh’s Eighth District; Here’s All You Need To Know About The Region Hindustan TimesNew Indian Express

• Population of Sankoo district: ? 40,548.

Sankoo Becomes Ladakh's 8th District, Gets Separate Hill Council

• Total Ladakh population (2011 Census): ? 2.74 lakh.

New Indian Express

• Area of Ladakh Union Territory: 86,904 km².

Sankoo Becomes Ladakh's 8th District, Gets Separate Hill Council

The Lieutenant Governor framed the move as aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” vision and Home Minister Amit Shah’s development agenda. Officials indicated that appointments for district administration would be made promptly.

ThePrint

• “The creation of Sankoo district fulfils a long-standing aspiration of the people of the area,” — Vinai Kumar Saxena.

Sankoo Becomes Ladakh's 8th District, Gets Separate Hill Council

Creating a separate district shortens the distance between residents and government offices in this high-altitude region, where terrain and weather often impede travel. Proponents say the new unit will improve coordination of development schemes, enhance public participation through the LAHDC, and deliver services more responsively to villages that previously relied on Kargil headquarters.

Sankoo Becomes Ladakh’s Eighth District; Here’s All You Need To Know About The Region

The administration plans to appoint district officials “at the earliest” to operationalise the new unit. Elections for the LAHDC Sankoo will be scheduled after a formal notification under Section 8 of the LAHDC Act, and the October 22, 2026 meeting will continue discussions on Ladakh’s broader governance framework.

Deccan Chronicle