On June 2, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Union Territory of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, amending the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004. This ordinance establishes an 85% reservation in government jobs for the Union Territory of Ladakh, excluding the 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). The amendment modifies Section 3(1) of the Act to stipulate that the total percentage of reservation shall not exceed 85%, excluding the EWS quota .

The ordinance also revises other provisions of the Act, including Sections 5(4), 6, and 9(1), specifying that reservations shall not exceed 85%, excluding the EWS quota .

Additionally, the President promulgated the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment Regulations-2025, defining domicile eligibility for jobs in the UT. Individuals who have resided in Ladakh for at least 15 years or have studied there for a minimum of seven years and appeared for their Class 10 or 12 exams will qualify as domiciles. Children of central government officers and officials who have served in Ladakh for a total period of ten years are also eligible for jobs. The regulations also state that the spouse of a domicile of Ladakh shall be deemed a domicile .

These developments follow discussions between the Union Government and the Leh Apex Body & Kargil Democratic Alliance, leading to the decision to reserve 85% of government jobs in Ladakh for Scheduled Tribes, residents living near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and Scheduled Castes, excluding the EWS quota .

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