Ladakh Administrative Overhaul: LG Vinai Kumar Saxena Approves DC and SP Appointments in 5 New Districts, Expands Governance Framework
In a major administrative breakthrough aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) for five newly created districts in the Union Territory. The move ensures the immediate operationalisation of administrative and law enforcement mechanisms in these regions.
This development comes just a day after the formal creation of five new districts—Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass—taking the total number of districts in Ladakh from two to seven. The restructuring is being seen as one of the most significant governance reforms in the region since Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory in 2019.
According to an official statement, the swift appointments have been made to ensure that governance structures become functional without delay. The primary objectives behind the move include strengthening law and order, improving administrative accessibility for remote populations, and accelerating the implementation of government schemes. The Lieutenant Governor has directed all newly appointed अधिकारियों to assume charge immediately and work with a strong focus on inclusive development.
Among the key appointments, Nitish Rajora has been designated as the Deputy Commissioner of Nyoma, which will serve as the headquarters of the Changthang district. Abbas Jaffari has been appointed as the Superintendent of Police for the same district. In Nubra, headquartered at Diskit, Mukul Beniwal has been appointed as DC, while Stanzin Losal will serve as SP. Zanskar district, with Padum as its headquarters, will be administered by DC Imkar Rajendra Gundage and SP Rigzen Sandup.
Similarly, Kunzes Angmo and Aijaz Malik have been appointed as DC and SP of Sham district, headquartered at Khaltse. In Drass, with its headquarters at Drass-Ranbirpura, Imteeaz Kacho has been appointed as DC, and Ishtyaq Ahmad as SP.
The creation of these districts follows approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2024 after extensive consultations. Of the five new districts, Nubra, Sham, and Changthang have been carved out of Leh district, while Zanskar and Drass have been formed from the existing Kargil district. The original districts of Leh and Kargil will continue to function and coordinate with the newly established administrative units during the transition phase.
Highlighting the significance of the decision, LG Saxena noted that the restructuring would substantially reduce travel distances for residents, which in many cases previously exceeded 300 kilometres for accessing basic administrative services. The move is expected to bring governance closer to the people, particularly in remote and geographically challenging areas.
In addition to administrative convenience, the establishment of new district headquarters is anticipated to generate local employment, boost infrastructure development, and encourage entrepreneurship in underserved regions. Officials believe that this decentralised governance model will serve as a catalyst for balanced and inclusive regional growth.
The announcement also comes ahead of a proposed visit by Amit Shah, adding further importance to the timing of the reform. Describing it as a “historic milestone,” the Lieutenant Governor emphasized that the initiative reflects long-standing public aspirations and marks a decisive step toward a more responsive and efficient governance framework.
With this move, Ladakh is poised to enter a new phase of administrative transformation, focused on decentralisation, improved service delivery, and sustainable development across its diverse and remote regions.
