Leh: In a landmark move, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has agreed to initiate recruitment for 232 Gazetted posts in the Union Territory of Ladakh — the first such recruitment drive since the region was granted UT status in 2019.
The decision was taken following a high-level meeting held at the UPSC headquarters in New Delhi between the Chief Secretary of Ladakh, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, and UPSC Secretary Shashi Ranjan.
Also present during the meeting were Joint Secretary (Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh), Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Prashant Lokhande, and Secretary, General Administration Department, UT Ladakh, Shri Michael M. D’Souza.
The discussions centered around the urgent need to fill Gazetted vacancies in Ladakh, especially given the mounting administrative and developmental responsibilities of the Union Territory. Despite the closure of UPSC’s annual requisition window on March 31, 2025, the Commission agreed to make a special exception for Ladakh in light of the long-standing vacancies and the career aspirations of local youth.
In the first phase of recruitment, UPSC will fill 125 posts of Medical Officers in the Health Department, 75 posts of Lecturers in the School Education Department, and 32 posts of Accounts Officers in the Finance Department. Recruitment for other remaining Gazetted posts will be carried out in subsequent phases.
Chief Secretary Dr. Kotwal thanked the Commission for recognising the urgency of the situation and for promptly initiating the recruitment process following the finalisation of the domicile and reservation framework by the UT administration. The announcement comes as a major boost to governance in Ladakh and opens up long-awaited career opportunities for the region’s youth.
Recruitment dates and further details are expected to be announced soon.
Meanwhile, in Leh, the Home Department of Ladakh has issued Order No. 65-Home of 2025, reconstituting the Ladakh Police (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Board. The move aims to ensure a transparent and efficient recruitment process for non-gazetted posts in the Ladakh Police, Fire and Rescue, and Prison services.
The newly constituted board will be chaired by Sh. Vikas Kumar, IPS, currently serving as SSP Traffic Ladakh and DIG Leh-Kargil Range. The board also includes senior police officials such as Sh. Altaf Ahmad Shah (Commandant IRP 25th Bn), Sh. Fulzele Piyush Nirakar (SSP Security), Sh. Nitin Yadav (Additional SP Kargil), Sh. Rigzin Sangdup (Additional SP Leh), and Sh. Mohd Ali (DySP, Kargil). It will oversee three crucial stages of recruitment: the Physical Endurance Test, Physical Measurement Test, and the Written Examination.
To maintain flexibility, the Chairman has been empowered to co-opt other officers as needed. For any recruitment proceeding to be valid, at least half of the board members must be present, with the Chairman’s participation being mandatory. In exceptional cases, the senior-most member may act as Chairman.
These coordinated steps mark a decisive effort by the UT administration to fill long-vacant positions, enhance governance capacity, and create employment opportunities for Ladakh’s educated youth.
