Ladakh to Receive Special Status Under Article 371: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has made a big announcement that the Ladakh Union Territory (UT) will soon get special status under Article 371 as a special case. The special provisions under Article 371 will give legal guarantee to the protection of Ladakh's unique tribal identity, land rights, distinct culture and local employment opportunities. Kiren Rijiju made this announcement on Friday (August 28, 2026) while addressing the Silver Jubilee Foundation Day celebrations of the Druk Padma Karpo School located in Shey, Leh, the capital of the Union Territory of Ladakh. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who was the chief guest at the event, said that Ladakh is very close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's heart. He said that Prime Minister Modi has always believed that areas like Ladakh need special attention and since he first assumed the office of the Prime Minister, he has been working in this direction. Due to his thinking, not only the economic and social scenario in Ladakh, but also the direction in which the Union Home Ministry is working to guide the Ladakh Special Administration.