UPSC Launches First-Ever Recruitment Drive for 232 Gazetted Posts in Ladakh

In a landmark development, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has agreed to initiate the first direct recruitment process for 232 Gazetted posts in the Union Territory of Ladakh, marking a significant administrative milestone since Ladakh was granted UT status in August 2019.

Historic UPSC Approval for Ladakh

This special recruitment initiative follows a high-level meeting held at UPSC headquarters in New Delhi, attended by:

• Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh
• Shashi Ranjan, Secretary, UPSC
• Shri Prashant Lokhande, Joint Secretary (Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh), Ministry of Home Affairs
• Shri Michael M. D’Souza, Secretary, General Administration Department, Ladakh

The discussions emphasized the pressing need to fill key Gazetted posts to strengthen Ladakh’s administrative and developmental capacities.

Despite the closure of UPSC’s annual requisition cycle on March 31, 2025, the Commission has made an exceptional allowance for Ladakh due to the chronic vacancy backlog and the urgent need to empower local youth with career opportunities.

Phase 1: Department-Wise Breakdown of 232 Gazetted Posts

UPSC will begin recruitment in a phased manner, starting with 3 critical departments:

• Health Department
  • 125 Posts for Medical Officers
• School Education Department
  • 75 Posts for Lecturers
• Finance Department
  • 32 Posts for Accounts Officers

Recruitment for other Gazetted posts will be scheduled in future phases, details of which will be announced shortly.

Official Response and Impact

Chief Secretary Dr. Kotwal expressed gratitude to the UPSC for fast-tracking the process:

“This is a significant boost to our governance framework and a ray of hope for Ladakh’s aspiring professionals. With domicile and reservation policies in place, we are now ready to move forward.”

The announcement is being seen as a major step toward administrative empowerment and public service career accessibility for Ladakh’s educated youth.

Ladakh Police Recruitment Board Reconstituted for Non-Gazetted Posts

In a parallel move, the Home Department of Ladakh has issued Order No. 65-Home of 2025, formally reconstituting the Ladakh Police (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Board. This board will oversee recruitment in:

• Ladakh Police
• Fire and Rescue Services
• Prisons Department

Board Composition

The board will be chaired by Sh. Vikas Kumar, IPS, currently SSP Traffic Ladakh and DIG Leh-Kargil Range. Key members include:

• Sh. Altaf Ahmad Shah – Commandant, IRP 25th Battalion
• Sh. Fulzele Piyush Nirakar – SSP Security
• Sh. Nitin Yadav – Additional SP, Kargil
• Sh. Rigzin Sangdup – Additional SP, Leh
• Sh. Mohd Ali – DySP, Kargil

 Recruitment Process Overview

The board will conduct:

1. Physical Endurance Test (PET)
2. Physical Measurement Test (PMT)
3. Written Examination

To ensure transparency:

• The Chairman may co-opt additional officers as needed.
• A minimum of 50% board attendance is required for proceedings to be valid.
• Chairman’s presence is mandatory, except in exceptional cases where the senior-most member will act as Chair.