Leh district is a district in Indian-administered Ladakh in the disputed Kashmir-region.The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of Kashmir and a mention of the Kashmir dispute is supported by the tertiary sources (a) through (e), reflecting due weight in the coverage. Although "controlled" and "held" are also applied neutrally to the names of the disputants or to the regions administered by them, as evidenced in sources (h) through (i) below, "held" is also considered politicized usage, as is the term "occupied," (see (j) below). (a) (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories."; (b) (subscription required) Quote: "Aksai Chin, Chinese (Pinyin) Aksayqin, portion of the Kashmir region, at the northernmost extent of the Indian subcontinent in south-central Asia. It constitutes nearly all the territory of the Chinese-administered sector of Kashmir that is claimed by India to be part of the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir state."; (c) C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947"; (d) Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan. It has borders with Pakistan and China." (e) Quote: "We move from a disputed international border to a dotted line on the map that represents a military border not recognized in international law. The line of control separates the Indian and Pakistani administered areas of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir."; (f) (g) (h) Quote: "J&K: Jammu and Kashmir. The former princely state that is the subject of the Kashmir dispute. Besides IJK (Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir. The larger and more populous part of the former princely state. It has a population of slightly over 10 million, and comprises three regions: Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh.) and AJK ('Azad" (Free) Jammu and Kashmir. The more populous part of Pakistani-controlled J&K, with a population of approximately 2.5 million.), it includes the sparsely populated "Northern Areas" of Gilgit and Baltistan, remote mountainous regions which are directly administered, unlike AJK, by the Pakistani central authorities, and some high-altitude uninhabitable tracts under Chinese control." (i) Quote: "Kashmir’s identity remains hotly disputed with a UN-supervised “Line of Control” still separating Pakistani-held Azad (“Free”) Kashmir from Indian-held Kashmir."; (j) Quote:"Some politicised terms also are used to describe parts of J&K. These terms include the words 'occupied' and 'held'." Ladakh is an Indian-administered union territory. With an area of 45,110 km2. It is bounded on the north by Gilgit-Baltistan's Kharmang and Ghanche districts and Xinjiang's Kashgar Prefecture and Hotan Prefecture, to which it connects via the historic Karakoram Pass. Aksai Chin and Tibet are to the east, Kargil district to the west, and Lahul and Spiti to the south. The district headquarters is in Leh. It lies between 32 and 36 degree north latitude and 75 to 80 degree east longitude.
History
Leh has historically served as the administrative centre of Ladakh. Until 1 July 1979, the entire Ladakh region was administered from Leh. On that date, Ladakh was divided into two administrative districts—Leh and Kargil—with Leh continuing to serve as the administrative headquarters of Leh district. Religious differences between Buddhist and Muslim communities had become a source of grievance by the late 20th century and were among the factors associated with the division of Ladakh into the two districts.
In 2017, Leh district was declared a tobacco-free zone. The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, through the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), began working toward this designation earlier that year, and Leh was officially declared tobacco-free in August 2017. Rehana Kousar, then in charge of NTCP Kashmir, stated that the initiative involved civil society organisations, religious groups, and women's groups. She particularly highlighted the participation of women in the anti-tobacco campaign as a "major success."
A major administrative change took place in 2019. In August, the Parliament of India passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, which provided for the creation of the Union Territory of Ladakh. The new Union Territory came into existence on 31 October 2019, and Leh became its administrative capital as well as one of its two original districts, alongside Kargil.
Following the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Removal of Difficulties) Second Order, 2019, the territory claimed as part of Leh district de jure included Gilgit, Gilgit Wazarat, Chilas, and the Tribal Territory, areas that are currently administered by Pakistan. The order also defined the territory of Leh and Ladakh, excluding the then-existing territory of Kargil district.
The administrative structure of Ladakh changed again in 2026. On 27 April 2026, five new districts were formally notified, bringing the total number of districts in the Union Territory to seven.Historic milestone for Ladakh: Five new districts notified in Ladakh; taking total districts to seven, 27 Apr 2026. As part of this reorganisation, the boundaries and administrative structure of Leh district were altered. The new districts include the Buddhist-majority districts of Sham, Changthang, Nubra, Leh, and Zanskar, alongside the Muslim-majority districts of Kargil and Drass. Leh district itself contains 44 revenue villages according to the district administration.Shrinking of Muslim-Majority Districts, Questions Over Wildlife: What the Redrawing of Ladakh's Administrative Boundaries Means, The Wire, 1 May 2026.
Administration
The only sub-division is Kharu. The tehsils are Leh, Basgo, Chushot, Gia and Kharu.
The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh (LAHDC Leh) is the Autonomous District Council that administers the Leh district.
Sub–divisions, Blocks and Villages in Leh district Current district Sub-Division Tehsil Blocks Villages Leh district Kharu Chushot Chushot Chushot Yokma, Chushot Gongma, Stakna, Chushot Shamma, Matho, StokLehLeh Gompa Gangless, Sankar Yourtung, Leh Ladakh, Skara, Choglamsar, Saboo, Thiksey, Nang, Rambirpur, Shey, Phyang, Spituk, Phey, Taru, Umla, Rumbak, Sku Marka, Chiling Sumda, Lingshed, YoulchungKharu KharuIgoo, Langkor, Shara, Sharnos, Phuktsay, Sakti, Kharu, Chemday, Martselang, Hemis, Shang, ChangaGia Gia Upshi, Miru, GiaBasgoBasgoBasgo, Ney, NimooTotal15544
Demographics
According to the 2011 census Leh district had a population of 133,487, roughly equal to the nation of Saint Lucia. This gives it a ranking of 609th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.87% (it was 30.15% for 1991–2001). Leh has a sex ratio of 690 females for every 1000 males (this varies with religion), and a literacy rate of 77.2%.
Religion
BlockBuddhistMuslimOtherLeh65.5412.0622.40Nubra47.433319.57Khalsi96.011.892.10
Leh district: religion, gender ratio, and % urban of population, according to the 2011 Census. Hindu Muslim Christian Sikh Buddhist Jain Other Not stated Total Total 22,882 19,057 658 1,092 88,635 103 54 1,006 133,487 17.14% 14.28% 0.49% 0.82% 66.40% 0.08% 0.04% 0.75% 100.00% Male 21,958 10,493 469 1,018 44,019 49 29 936 78,971 Female 924 8,564 189 74 44,616 54 25 70 54,516 Gender ratio (% female) 4.0% 44.9% 28.7% 6.8% 50.3% 52.4% 46.3% 7.0% 40.8% Sex ratio (no. females per 1,000 males) 42 816 403 73 1,014 – – 75 690 Urban 14,542 5,169 358 927 24,023 24 53 575 45,671 Rural 8,340 13,888 300 165 64,612 79 1 431 87,816 % Urban 63.6% 27.1% 54.4% 84.9% 27.1% 23.3% 98.1% 57.2% 34.2%
Languages Ladakhi is the most spoken language, and Hindi/Urdu is the second-largest language, mainly spoken in Leh. Balti is found in Nubra near the boundary with Gilgit-Baltistan. Tibetan, Punjabi, Marathi and Nepali are all mainly spoken in Leh. Urdu and English are widely understood in Leh.
Politics Parliamentary Constituency The district falls under Ladakh (Lok Sabha constituency). The present Member of Parliament (MP) of Ladakh is Mohmad Haneefa (independent candidate).
Autonomous Hill Council Leh District is administered by an elected body known as the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh. The LAHDC was established in 1995.
The latest elections were held in October 2020. The BJP secured 15 seats while the INC won 9 and the Independents won 2.
Transportation Road Leh is connected to the rest of India by two high-altitude roads both of which are subject to landslides and neither of which are passable in winter when covered by deep snows. The National Highway 1D from Srinagar via Kargil is generally open longer. The Leh-Manali Highway can be troublesome due to very high passes and plateaus, and the lower but landslide-prone Rohtang Pass near Manali. The third road axis is under construction.
National Highway 1 The overland approach to Ladakh from the Kashmir valley via the 434-km. National Highway 1 typically remains open for traffic from June to October/November. The most dramatic part of this road journey is the ascent up the 3,505 m (11,500 ft.) high Zoji-la, a tortuous pass in the Great Himalayan Wall. The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) operates regular Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Srinagar and Leh on this route with an overnight halt at Kargil. Taxis (cars and jeeps) are also available at Srinagar for the journey.
National Highway 3 or Leh-Manali Highway Since 1989, the 473-km Leh-Manali Highway has been serving as the second land approach to Ladakh. Open for traffic from June to late October, this high road traverses the upland desert plateaux of Rupsho whose altitude ranges from 3,660 m to 4,570 m. There are a number of high passes en route among which the highest one, known as Tanglang La, is sometimes (but incorrectly) claimed to be the world's second-highest motorable pass at an altitude of 5,325 m. (17,469 feet).See the article on Khardung La for a discussion of the world's highest motorable passes.
Nimmu–Padam–Darcha road
This is the third road axis to Leh. It is currently under construction.
Air
Leh's Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport has flights to Delhi at least daily on Air India which also provides twice-weekly services to Jammu and a weekly flight to Srinagar. Passengers connect in Delhi for other destinations. Go First operates Delhi to Leh daily flights during peak time.
Rail There is no railway service currently in Ladakh, however, 2 railway routes are proposed- the Bhanupli–Leh line and Srinagar–Kargil–Leh line.
Gallery
See also List of districts of Ladakh Geography of Ladakh Tourism in Ladakh
References
External links
Official Website of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh Leh tehsil map, Maps of India Ladakh Tourism Guide - Photo Gallery of Leh, Monasteries in Leh, NGO's in Leh, Important Phone #. Shaam Region in Leh (not to be confused with the Middle Eastern region)