## Report on the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Amendment Regulation, 2025
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes the "Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Amendment Regulation, 2025" (Regulation No. 4 of 2025), which amends the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Act, 2010, as it applies to the Union Territory of Ladakh. The core purpose of this amendment is to adapt the existing Act to the specific context of the Union Territory of Ladakh, particularly concerning domicile requirements, recruitment processes, and administrative structures. Key changes include redefining domicile, substituting references to the "State of Jammu and Kashmir" with "Union territory of Ladakh," and adjusting recruitment procedures by establishing the Ladakh Subordinate Services Staff Selection Board.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Amendment Regulation, 2025, based solely on the text of the regulation itself. The purpose is to inform affected parties about the specific changes enacted by this amendment and their potential implications.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This regulation amends the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Act, 2010 (XVI of 2010).
* The core objective of the amendment is to adapt the existing Act to the administrative and demographic realities of the Union Territory of Ladakh, focusing on local recruitment and governance.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The amendment is likely driven by the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir and the creation of the Union Territory of Ladakh. The original Act, designed for the former state, requires modification to reflect Ladakh's unique status, administrative structure, and the need to define domicile criteria specific to the Union Territory. The changes aim to provide a framework for civil service recruitment and decentralization that is tailored to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This section details the key changes introduced by the amendment:
* **Section 2 of the Principal Act (Definitions):** This section is entirely substituted. Key changes include definitions for:
* **Administration:** Defined as the Administration of the Union territory of Ladakh.
* **Appellate Authority:** An authority empowered to hear appeals against decisions of the Competent Authority.
* **Competent Authority:** An authority empowered to issue domicile certificates.
* **District Cadre:** Defined based on salary criteria, excluding posts under the Union territory Cadre.
* **Domicile:** Defined by reference to new Section 3A (see below).
* **Domicile Certificate:** The certificate referred to in Section 3B.
* **Union territory Cadre:** The sanctioned strength of Gazetted and non-Gazetted posts borne on the establishment of the headquarter offices of all the departments having jurisdiction over the entire Union territory, excluding District Cadre posts.
* **Throughout the Act:**
* "State of Jammu and Kashmir" is replaced with "Union territory of Ladakh."
* "Jammu and Kashmir" is replaced with "Ladakh."
* "Government" is replaced with "Administration."
* "Government Gazette" is replaced with "Official Gazette of the Union territory of Ladakh."
* "State Cadre" is replaced with "Union territory Cadre."
* References to "Divisional" entities are removed.
* "Permanent resident of the State" is replaced with "domicile of the Union territory of Ladakh."
* **Section 3 of the Principal Act (Applications of this Regulation):** This section is substituted. It specifies the regulation applies to all Gazetted and non-Gazetted posts borne on the establishment of any Department or Service of the Administration or a company under the control of Administration with two exceptions: (i) posts with special procedure laid down under any law of the Union territory and (ii) such other posts as may be excluded from the operation of this Regulation by the notification issued by the Administration in this behalf from time to time..
* **New Sections 3A and 3B are Inserted:**
* **Section 3A (Domicile for purpose of appointment in any service to Union territory):** Defines domicile for appointment purposes. It outlines criteria based on residency (15 years) or education (7 years of study and appeared in class 10th or 12th examination). It also extends domicile status to certain categories of individuals, including children of Central Government officials serving in the Union Territory for a specified period (10 years), children of those who fulfill conditions under subsection 1, and spouse of a domicile.
* **Section 3B (Issuance of domicile certificate):** Designates the Tehsildar as the Competent Authority for issuing domicile certificates, with the potential for the Administration to designate other officers. It outlines the application process and allows for appeals to the Deputy Commissioner (Appellate Authority) within sixty days, with provisions for entertaining appeals after the expiry of the said period subject to sufficient cause.
* **Section 4 of the Principal Act (Amendment of):** Subsection 2 is substituted, stating posts borne on temporary organizations created for specified works or projects, other than the work charged establishment shall be treated as posts in the Union territory Cadre concerned for purposes of recruitment only.
* **Section 5 of the Principal Act (Amendment of):** The words "State Service Selection Board" are replaced with "Ladakh Subordinate Services Staff Selection Board" and the proviso in subsection 1 shall be omitted.
* **Section 7 and 10 of the Principal Act (Omission of):** These sections are omitted.
* **Section 11 of the Principal Act (Amendment of):** For the word "Divisional" the word "District" shall be substituted; and subsection 2 shall be omitted.
* **New Section 13A is Inserted:** This section clarifies that the provisions of this Regulation shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any other law relating to recruitment for the time being in force in the Union territory of Ladakh.
* **Section 14 of the Principal Act (Power to remove difficulties):** This section is substituted, outlines the Administration's power to address difficulties in implementing the Regulation through orders published in the Official Gazette of Union territory of Ladakh. It includes a sunset clause of two years for issuing such orders and requires orders to be laid before each House of Parliament.
* **Section 15 of the Principal Act (Power to make rules):** This section is substituted, grants the Administration the power to make rules to carry out the purposes of this Regulation and requires rules to be laid before each House of Parliament.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The target audience includes:
* Residents of the Union Territory of Ladakh seeking employment in the civil services.
* Current and prospective employees of the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
* Central Government Officials and employees of Public Sector Undertakings serving in Ladakh.
* The Ladakh Subordinate Services Staff Selection Board.
* The Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agencies:** The Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Tehsildars (as Competent Authorities), Deputy Commissioners (as Appellate Authorities), and the Ladakh Subordinate Services Staff Selection Board are primarily responsible for implementing the changes.
* **Timelines:** The amendment comes into force on a date to be notified by the Central Government. Appeals regarding domicile certificates must be filed within sixty days, although extensions may be granted under certain circumstances.
* **Procedures:** The amendment establishes procedures for issuing domicile certificates, handling appeals, and recruitment through the Ladakh Subordinate Services Staff Selection Board.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes include:
* A civil service recruitment process that prioritizes individuals with strong connections to the Union Territory of Ladakh, through the domicile requirements.
* Increased representation of local residents in government jobs.
* A more streamlined and decentralized administrative structure suited to the specific needs of Ladakh.
* Clarity and consistency in applying civil service rules within the Union Territory.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Amendment Regulation, 2025, represents a significant step in adapting civil service regulations to the unique context of the Union Territory of Ladakh. By redefining domicile, establishing local recruitment boards, and updating administrative references, the amendment aims to create a more localized and responsive civil service system. The changes are expected to have a direct impact on residents seeking government employment and the overall administrative efficiency of the Union Territory.
Key Entities Referenced
Union territory: The Union territory of Ladakh
jftLVh la Mh ,y,u040007200325: Registration number DLN040007200325
ubZ fnYyh: New Delhi
JUNE 2, 2025: Date of publication
Jyaistha 12, 1947 Saka: Indian national calendar date corresponding to June 2, 2025
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE Legislative Department: The publishing ministry
New Delhi: Location of the Ministry of Law and Justice
2nd June, 2025Jyaistha 12, 1947 Saka: Date of the notification
THE LADAKH CIVIL SERVICES DECENTRALIZATION AND RECRUITMENT AMENDMENT REGULATION, 2025: Title of the regulation
NO. 4 OF 2025: Regulation number
President: The promulgator of the regulation
Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India: The year of the Republic of India
Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Act, 2010: The act being amended
Union territory of Ladakh: The Union Territory this regulation applies to.
article 240 of the Constitution: The constitutional article conferring powers
section 58 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019: Section and act conferring power to the President
Central Government: The government that can appoint the date on which the regulation comes into force
Official Gazette: The gazette in which the regulation's commencement date is published
Jammu and Kashmir: Former state, now a union territory
State of Jammu and Kashmir: Original name of the region prior to reorganisation
Government Gazette: Former gazette
Official Gazette of the Union territory of Ladakh: The gazette of the Union territory of Ladakh
State Cadre: The former cadre
Union territory Cadre: The cadre of the Union territory
Government: Replaced by Administration
Administration: The Administration of the Union territory of Ladakh
Appellate Authority: The Authority who is empowered to hear the appeals against the decision of the Competent Authority
Competent Authority: The Authority who is empowered to issue a domicile certificate
District Cadre: The cadre of a department in a district comprising all the posts whether executive, ministerial or technical, the basic pay of which does not exceed the basic pay for the post of Senior Assistant, but does not include the posts falling under the Union territory Cadre
Domicile: Means the domicile as defined in section 3A of this Regulation
Domicile certificate: Means the domicile certificate referred to in section 3B of this Regulation
Tehsildar: Competent Authority for issuance of domicile certificate
Deputy Commissioner: Appellate Authority for deciding the appeal
State Service Selection Board: Previous name of the selection board
Ladakh Subordinate Services Staff Selection Board: New name of the selection board
DROUPADI MURMU: President of India
DR. RAJIV MANI: Secretary to the Govt. of India.
Parliament: Each House of Parliament.
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MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(Legislative Department)
New Delhi, the 2nd June, 2025/Jyaistha 12, 1947 (Saka)
THE LADAKH CIVIL SERVICES DECENTRALIZATION AND
RECRUITMENT (AMENDMENT) REGULATION, 2025
NO. 4 OF 2025
Promulgated by the President in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India.
A Regulation further to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services
Decentralization and Recruitment Act, 2010 in its application to the Union
territory of Ladakh.
In exercise of the powers conferred by article 240 of the Constitution
read with sub-section (2) of section 58 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation
34 of 2019. Act, 2019, the President is pleased to promulgate the following Regulation made by
her:––
1. (1) This Regulation may be called the Ladakh Civil Services Short title,
Decentralization and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025. extent and
commencement.2 THE GAZETTE OF IND2I A EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—
(2) It extends to the whole of the Union territory of Ladakh.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
Construction 2. Throughout the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Decentralization and
of reference of Recruitment Act, 2010 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act),–– XVI of 2010.
certain
expressions by (a) for the words “State of Jammu and Kashmir”, wherever they occur,
certain other
the words “Union territory of Ladakh” shall be substituted;
expressions.
(b) for the words “Jammu and Kashmir”, wherever they occur, the word
“Ladakh” shall be substituted;
(c) for the word “Government”, wherever it occurs, the word
“Administration” shall be substituted;
(d) for the words “Government Gazette”, wherever they occur, the words
“Official Gazette of the Union territory of Ladakh” shall be substituted;
(e) for the words “State Cadre”, wherever they occur, the words “Union
territory Cadre” shall be substituted;
(f) the words “, Divisional”, “or Divisional”, “Divisional or”, “or
Division” and “or the Division”, wherever they occur, shall be omitted;
(g) for the words “permanent resident of the State”, wherever they occur,
the words “domicile of the Union territory of Ladakh” shall be substituted.
Substitution of 3. For section 2 of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted,
new section
namely:––
for section 2.
Definitions. ‘2. In this Regulation, unless the context otherwise requires,––
(a) “Administration” means the Administration of the Union
territory of Ladakh;
(b) “Appellate Authority” means the Authority who is empowered
to hear the appeals against the decision of the Competent Authority;
(c) “Competent Authority” means the Authority who is
empowered to issue a domicile certificate;
(d) “District Cadre” means the cadre of a department in a district
comprising all the posts whether executive, ministerial or technical, the
basic pay of which does not exceed the basic pay for the post of Senior
Assistant, but does not include the posts falling under the Union territory
Cadre;
(e) “domicile” means the domicile as defined in section 3A of this
Regulation;
(f) “domicile certificate” means the domicile certificate referred to
in section 3B of this Regulation;
(g) “notification” means a notification published in the Official
Gazette of the Union territory of Ladakh and the expression “notify”
shall be construed accordingly;
(h) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the
Administration of the Union territory of Ladakh;
(i) “Union territory” means the Union territory of Ladakh;
(j) “Union territory Cadre” means the sanctioned strength of all
Gazetted and non-Gazetted posts borne, on the establishment of the
headquarter offices of all the departments having jurisdiction over theSec. 1] THE GAZETTE OF IND3I A EXTRAORDINARY 3
entire Union territory, but does not include the posts borne on the District
Cadre.’.
4. For section 3 of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted, Substitution of
new section for
namely:––
section 3.
“3. The provisions of this Regulation shall apply to all the Gazetted and Applications of
non-Gazetted posts borne on the establishment of any Department or Service this Regulation.
of the Administration or a company under the control of Administration:
Provided that the provisions of this Regulation shall not apply to––
(i) the posts for which any special procedure is laid down under
any law of the Union territory; and
(ii) such other posts as may be excluded from the operation of this
Regulation by the notification issued by the Administration in this behalf
from time to time.”.
5. After section 3 of the principal Act, the following sections shall be inserted, Insertion of new
namely:–– sections 3A and
3B.
“3A. (1) Any person who fulfils the following conditions shall be Domicile for
domicile of the Union territory for the purposes of appointment to any post purpose of
appointment in
under the Union territory or under a local or other authority (other than
any service to
cantonment Board) within the Union territory, namely:— Union territory.
(a) who has resided for a period of fifteen years in the Union
territory; or
(b) who has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in
class 10th or 12th examination in an educational institution located in
the Union territory.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the following
persons shall be domicile under sub-section (1), namely:––
(a) children of those Central Government Officials, All India
Services Officers, Officials of Public Sector Undertaking and
Autonomous body of Central Government, Public Sector Banks,
Officials of Statutory bodies, Officials of the Central Universities and
recognised Research institutes of Central Government who shall have
served in the Union territory for a total period of ten years;
(b) the children of parents who fulfils any of the conditions
specified in sub-section (1); or
(c) the children of such residents of Union territory who resides
outside the Union territory in connection with their employment or
business or other professional or vocational reasons, but their parents
fulfil any of the conditions specified in sub-section (1).
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the spouse of a
domicile shall also be deemed to be a domicile for the purposes of sub-section (1).
3B. (1) The Tehsildar within his territorial jurisdiction shall be the Issuance of
Competent Authority for issuance of domicile certificate: domicile
certificate.
Provided that the Administration of the Union territory may notify any
other officer to be the Competent Authority for issuance of domicile
certificate.4
4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—
(2) The applicant may apply in such form and manner as may be
prescribed to the Competent Authority who shall after due verification issue such
certificate in such form as may be determined by the Competent Authority.
(3) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Competent Authority
may file an appeal before the concerned Deputy Commissioner who shall be
the Appellate Authority for deciding the appeal, after providing an opportunity
of being heard to the parties, within a period of sixty days from the date of
receipt of appeal:
Provided that the Appellate Authority may entertain the appeal after the
expiry of the said period of sixty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was
prevented by a sufficient cause from preferring the appeal in the given time.”.
6. In section 4 of the principal Act, for sub-section (2), the following
Amendment of
section 4. sub-section shall be substituted, namely:––
“(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the posts
borne on temporary organisations created for specified works or projects,
other than the work charged establishment shall be treated as posts in the
Union territory Cadre concerned for purposes of recruitment only.”.
Amendment of 7. In section 5 of the principal Act,—
section 5.
(i) for the words “State Service Selection Board”, occurring at both the
places, the words “Ladakh Subordinate Services Staff Selection Board” shall
be substituted;
(ii) in sub-section (1), the proviso shall be omitted.
Omission of 8. Section 7 of the principal Act shall be omitted.
section 7.
9. Section 10 of the principal Act shall be omitted.
Omission of
section 10.
10. In section 11 of the principal Act,––
Amendment of
section 11.
(i) for the word “Divisional”, the word “District” shall be substituted;
(ii) sub-section (2) shall be omitted.
Insertion of new 11. After section 13 of the principal Act, the following section shall be
section 13A. inserted, namely:––
Application of “13A. The provisions of this Regulation shall be in addition to and not
other laws not in derogation of any other law relating to recruitment for the time being in
barred.
force in the Union territory of Ladakh.”.
Substitution of 12. For section 14 of the principal Act, the following section shall be
new section for substituted, namely:––
section 14.
Power to remove “14. (1) lf any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this
difficulties. Regulation, the Administration may by order published in the Official Gazette
of Union territory of Ladakh, make such provisions not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Regulation as may appear to it to be necessary for removing
the difficulty:
Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry
of two years from the date of commencement of this Regulation.
(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be
after it is made, before each House of Parliament.”.5
Sec. 1] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 5
13. For section 15 of the principal Act, the following section shall be Substitution of
new section for
substituted, namely:––
section 15.
“15. (1) The Administration may, by notification, make rules not Power to make
inconsistent with the provisions of this Regulation for carrying out the rules.
purposes of this Regulation.
(2) Any rule made under this Regulation shall, as soon as may be after
it is made, be laid before each House of Parliament.”.
———— ————
DROUPADI MURMU,
President.
President.
————
DR. RAJIV MANI,
Secretary to the Govt. of India.
UPLOADED BY THE MANAGER, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PRESS, MINTO ROAD, NEW DELHI–110002
AND PUBLISHED BY THE CONTROLLER OF PUBLICATIONS, DELHI–110054.
MGIPMRND—39GI(S4)—2-6-2025.