Ahead of HM Amit Shah’s visit:Ladakh gets five new districts, total now seven

Umar Raina
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28 Apr 2026

Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, Drass notified LG Saxena terms it ‘historic day’

Leh, April 27: In a significant administrative development ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposed visit to Leh, the Union Territory of Ladakh has been expanded from two to seven districts with the formal notification of five new districts.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the creation of Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass districts, describing the move as a “historic step” aimed at strengthening governance and accelerating development, particularly in remote and far-flung areas.

With this decision, the total number of districts in Ladakh rises to seven. The newly carved districts include Nubra (headquartered at Diskit), Sham (Khaltse), and Changthang (Nyoma), which have been separated from Leh district, while Zanskar (Padum) and Drass (Drass-Ranbirpura) have been carved out from Kargil district.

Officials said the notification follows the “in-principle approval” granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2024. A committee constituted thereafter carried out consultations and field assessments before finalising the proposal.

The reorganisation also defines new territorial jurisdictions. Leh district will now comprise 44 revenue villages, Nubra 30, and Changthang 24. Kargil will have 80 revenue villages, while Sham will include 27, Zanskar 26, and Drass 19 villages.

Highlighting the importance of the move, LG Saxena said it aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a developed and prosperous Ladakh. He noted that decentralisation of administration would bring governance closer to the people and ensure more efficient service delivery.

“Difficult terrain, sparse population, and long travel distances have historically posed challenges in administration. The creation of new districts will help address these issues by improving accessibility and responsiveness,” the LG said.

In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor termed it "a historic day" for Ladakh, stating that the creation of new districts fulfills the "aspirations and long pending demand of the people of Ladakh."

He said the decision is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a "developed and prosperous Ladakh."

The transformative decision, he added, would strengthen grassroots governance, decentralise administration, and ensure faster delivery of public services, especially to those in remote and far-flung areas.

"Creation of new districts, apart from bringing governance closer to citizens, will create new avenues for growth, employment and entrepreneurship," the LG said.

He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that every citizen of Ladakh benefits from the decision as the region moves "together towards a brighter, stronger and more prosperous future."

The decision is also expected to generate employment opportunities through the establishment of new administrative offices and supporting infrastructure, thereby boosting local economic activity, entrepreneurship, and skill development.

The development comes ahead of the anticipated visit of Amit Shah to Leh on April 30, where he is expected to participate in events related to Buddha Purnima and review developmental initiatives in the region.

Officials believe the creation of new districts marks a new chapter in Ladakh’s administrative and developmental journey, aimed at ensuring inclusive growth and improved governance across the Union Territory.