Ladakh Expands Administrative Network With New District and Five Tehsils

Ladakh has announced Sankoo as its eighth district, carved out of Kargil, along with five new tehsils to improve administrative access and public service delivery.

Post Published By: DN Bureau

Updated : 17 October 2026, 12:36 PM IST

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announces Sankoo as the Union Territory’s eighth district (Img : Pinterest / X )

Ladakh: Ladakh has added a new district to its administrative map, with Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announcing the creation of Sankoo as the Union Territory’s eighth district. The move aims to bring government services closer to residents and improve administrative access in remote areas.

Sankoo District to Include Three Tehsils

Announced on Friday during a gathering in Sankoo, the new district has been carved out of Kargil district. It will comprise three tehsils: GM Pore, TSG and Taisuru.

Saxena said the creation of Sankoo fulfils a long-standing demand of local residents. He emphasised that the administration wants to make public services more accessible and ensure that development reaches villages and households across Ladakh.

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The Lieutenant Governor also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their continued support for the region’s development.

Five New Tehsils Announced Across Ladakh

Alongside the new district, the administration has announced five additional tehsils in different parts of the Union Territory. These include Aryan Valley in Sham, Sodh in Kargil, Phey in Zanskar, Thasgam in Drass and Hemya in Changthang.

The latest additions follow the announcement of 17 new tehsils on July 12. With five more tehsils now included, Ladakh’s total has increased to 37.

Push to Decentralise Administration

The creation of Sankoo comes less than six months after the administration announced five new districts: Changthang, Drass, Nubra, Sham and Zanskar.

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The expansion is part of a broader effort to decentralise governance and reduce the difficulties residents face in accessing administrative services. By creating smaller administrative units, the authorities aim to bring government offices and public services closer to communities spread across Ladakh’s vast and geographically challenging terrain.

The latest announcements mark another step in the Union Territory’s administrative restructuring, with a focus on improving service delivery and reaching remote settlements.