Polity · 16 Jul 2026

Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils

With reference to Ladakh's Autonomous Hill Development Councils, consider the following statements:

  1. Prior to July 2026, Autonomous Hill Development Councils existed only in Leh and Kargil districts.
  2. Unlike Sixth Schedule Autonomous District Councils, Ladakh's hill councils derive their powers from ordinary statute and carry no constitutional status.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2
This question is based on: More Councils, Less Power: The Paradox at the Heart of Ladakh's Decentralisation Plan
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 16 Jul 2026
About this question

Why in news

The Ladakh administration announced on July 13, 2026 that Autonomous Hill Development Councils would be constituted in all seven of Ladakh's districts, up from the existing two, prompting objections from civil society groups negotiating a representative framework under Article 371.

Why for UPSC

UPSC frequently tests the distinction between statutory and constitutional bodies (e.g., Sixth Schedule vs ordinary council structures); this question checks whether aspirants grasp this foundational institutional distinction directly stated in the article.

Prelims summary

Ladakh's hill councils (Leh since 1995, Kargil since 2003) are statutory bodies under the LAHDC Act, 1995, unlike constitutionally protected Sixth Schedule Autonomous District Councils found in Northeast India.

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