Ladakh Gets Five New Districts, Total Rises to Seven
Why in the news
Ladakh has been reorganised into seven districts after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena notified five new ones around 30 April 2026.
Key facts
- Notifying authority: LG Vinai Kumar Saxena.
- Five new districts: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, Changthang.
- Total districts rise from two to seven.
- The creation of five districts was first announced in August 2024.
- The aim is better governance and delivery of welfare schemes.
| New district | Headquarters |
|---|---|
| Zanskar | Padum |
| Sham | Khaltse |
| Nubra | Diskit |
| Changthang | Nyoma |
| Drass | Drass area |
About Ladakh
Before this, Ladakh had only Leh and Kargil, both formed in 1979 when the region was split. One source says three of the new districts come out of Leh and two out of Kargil.
Exam angle
- Remember the five names and the new total of seven.
- Old districts: Leh and Kargil (1979).
- Headquarters pairs such as Nubra-Diskit and Changthang-Nyoma are test-worthy.