Union Territory of India

Ladakh

Reported Last updated 11 Oct 2026

Ladakh is a union territory in northern India with its capital at Leh. The 2011 Census recorded a population of 274,289.

Capital
Leh
Leh and Kargil
Population
274,289
Year 2011 · Census of India 2011
Districts
2
As of Jan 2025
Formed
31 October 2019
Population is the 2011 total of Leh and Kargil districts
Official language(s)
English; Hindi

Overview

Ladakh, the "land of high passes", is a cold desert between the Karakoram and Great Himalaya. Its landscapes – the blue waters of Pangong Tso, the sand dunes of Nubra Valley, high passes and whitewashed monasteries such as Hemis, Thiksey and Diskit – are unlike anywhere else in India.

Districts of Ladakh

The district directory for Ladakh has not been published yet. Ladakh has 2 districts (as of January 2025).

History & formation

Ladakh was an independent Buddhist kingdom for centuries and an important stop on trade routes to Central Asia and Tibet. It became a separate union territory on 31 October 2019, with Leh and Kargil as its two districts.

Rivers, mountains & protected areas

Culture, festivals & cuisine

Ladakhi culture is strongly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, with festivals such as Hemis Tsechu and Losar. The region is also home to Muslim communities, particularly around Kargil.

State symbols

State symbols for Ladakh are awaiting editorial verification. We only list symbols confirmed by an official source.

Legislature & representation

Details
LegislatureNone
Lok Sabha constituencies1

Seat figures as of January 2025 · source.

Sources & references

  1. Census of India 2011 – state population and area – Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India (2011) , retrieved 10 Oct 2026 – Population and area Reported
  2. Election Commission of India – delimitation and seats – Election Commission of India , retrieved 10 Oct 2026 – Lok Sabha and Assembly seat counts Reported