Ladakh leaders are scheduled to meet with a sub-committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on October 22 to discuss key demands for statehood and the implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Representatives from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), along with Ladakh MP Mohd Haneefa Jan, will participate in the talks.

Chering Dorje Lakruk, co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body, stated that the MHA informed them of the meeting. He welcomed the government's decision to invite them and expressed optimism for a positive outcome from the dialogue. The primary focus of the meeting will be the demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule for the Union Territory.

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been jointly leading the movement to secure statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, two Lok Sabha seats, and a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh.

Earlier this year, the central government agreed to discuss these major demands after months of protests and deliberations. The MHA had formed a committee under Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to discuss measures to protect the region’s unique culture and language. In February 2024, a 14-member delegation met with the MHA, during which the leaders also agreed to reduce their four-point agenda to three, dropping the demand for an additional parliamentary seat.

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas as autonomous regions. Inclusion in this schedule is viewed as a way to protect the distinct cultural identity and promote the development of Ladakh.

Violent protests occurred in Leh on September 24 during a shutdown called by LAB to push for talks with the Centre on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.

In July 2025, stakeholders in Ladakh deemed the negotiation phase as critical to securing greater autonomy and constitutional safeguards after introducing a domicile policy for the Union Territory. Following discussions in May, the President also introduced the Union Territory of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, reserving 85 percent of jobs in the region.