Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on July 13 announced a series of major administrative reforms aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, accelerating recruitment and improving public service delivery across the Union Territory. The measures include the posting of Tehsildars in 17 newly created tehsils, the creation of new Public Works Department (PWD) and Public Health Engineering (PHE) divisions, and efforts to extend the benefits of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Act to all seven districts.

Addressing a press conference in Leh, the Chief Secretary described the year as spiritually significant for Ladakh, referring to the recent exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha and the ongoing stay of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He said these events had inspired the youth, who had the opportunity to interact with His Holiness and seek his guidance.

On recruitment, Kundra said that since the formation of the Union Territory, 4,011 non-gazetted Group B and Group C posts have been filled. Results have been declared for 473 posts, document verification is underway for 484 candidates, and recruitment advertisements have been issued for 648 additional non-gazetted posts.

He added that recruitment has been completed for 27 gazetted Group B posts, while 344 gazetted vacancies have been referred to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the 2025–26 recruitment cycle.

The Chief Secretary announced that recruitment advertisements for 262 teaching posts in the School Education Department would be released the following day, while notifications for 47 faculty positions in the University of Ladakh would also be issued shortly. Recruitment for 40 Sub-Inspector posts has received around 7,000 applications, while the recruitment process for 341 Constable and Fireman posts is also in progress.

Overall, he said, recruitment for 4,511 government posts has been completed, while another 684 posts are under various stages of recruitment. He reiterated the Administration's commitment to ensuring a transparent and time-bound recruitment process.

On promotions, Kundra said the Administration has adopted a fast-track approach to clear pending Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) cases and has directed departments to expedite vigilance clearances and other formalities.

Highlighting recent administrative reforms, he said posting orders have been issued for Tehsildars in the 17 newly created tehsils following the announcement of seven districts. He also announced the creation of four new divisions under the Public Health Engineering and Flood Control Department and five new divisions under the Public Works Department and PMGSY, with officers already posted to these units.

These reforms, he said, would bring government services closer to people living in remote areas and strengthen infrastructure and development in Zanskar, Drass, Nubra, Changthang and Sham.

On constitutional safeguards, the Chief Secretary said several rounds of discussions have been held with representatives of religious organisations and civil society groups. The minutes of the meetings held on May 22 and July 3 have been placed in the public domain to ensure transparency.

He said there is broad consensus on protecting Ladakh's land, culture and identity while promoting inclusive development. The Administration is also working on an institutional framework suited to Ladakh's unique requirements and taking steps to extend the provisions of the LAHDC Act to all seven districts through appropriate legal measures.

Concluding the briefing, Kundra reiterated the Administration's commitment to transparent governance, decentralisation, employment generation and ensuring that the benefits of development reach every citizen, particularly those living in remote and border areas of Ladakh.