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There is good news for hundreds of lower-rung employees in Ladakh, as they have now been declared eligible for career promotions to higher positions. The Ladakh administration has directed the immediate rescission of an order that previously barred government employees holding higher degrees from applying for graduate-level posts.

Lieutenant Governor Shares Update via Tweet

Offering significant relief to the youth of Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced this decision on the social media platform ‘X’. This move will directly benefit hundreds of Ladakhis, as the restrictions previously imposed on government employees holding graduate degrees—who were originally recruited based on their 10th or 12th-grade qualifications—have now been lifted. They will now be able to apply for graduate-level jobs. Sinha wrote on ‘X’, “Under a historic reform, I have ordered the removal of restrictions that previously barred government employees holding higher degrees—who had been appointed to positions requiring lower qualifications—from applying for graduate-level posts in the future.”

Previous Order Rescinded

According to reports, this order rescinds Paragraph 3 of the Office Memorandum (OM) dated March 25, 2026. Consequently, all serving candidates—including those who had previously submitted an affidavit—will now be eligible to apply for higher-ranking positions, provided they fulfill other stipulated eligibility criteria. Previously, candidates holding a bachelor’s degree who secured government jobs requiring lower qualifications were required to submit an undertaking or affidavit. In this document, they had to declare that they did not possess any higher qualifications and were merely 10th or 12th-grade pass-outs.

Beneficiaries of the Move

This move will benefit those candidates who were previously deemed ineligible for recruitment to various graduate-level posts in the future on the grounds that they were not graduates. Now, all candidates currently serving in government service—including those originally appointed on the basis of such affidavits or undertakings—will be able to appear for graduate-level examinations and apply for higher posts in the future, provided they meet all other prescribed eligibility conditions.

Lieutenant Governor Issues the Order

Lieutenant Governor Saxena issued the following order: “This exemption shall apply equally to all existing employees who wish to apply for graduate-level government posts in the future. They shall not be barred from applying on the basis of affidavits previously submitted regarding the absence of higher qualifications.” “This order shall come into force with immediate effect.” Terming the restriction—which barred individuals already employed in government departments from applying for higher-ranking positions—as “unjust and restrictive,” Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena stated that this new order takes effect immediately. This unjust and restrictive stipulation, which compelled candidates to declare their educational qualification as merely 10th or 12th pass, effectively deprived them of their rightful career advancement. Such restrictions were contrary to the fundamental right to secure gainful employment.

What Changes Will This Decision Bring?

As a result of this decision, thousands of Ladakhi youth—who are currently serving in positions such as Orderlies, MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff), and similar roles—will now be eligible to compete for graduate-level posts. This will ensure equal opportunities for all, foster greater administrative accountability, and secure the future of the youth in Ladakh. The administration has also amended the recruitment rules for entry-level positions; these rules now stipulate only a minimum educational requirement (e.g., Matriculation), while removing the upper ceiling on maximum educational qualifications. The UT administration has affirmed its unwavering commitment to implementing reforms that safeguard the interests of the youth while simultaneously guaranteeing them fair opportunities for career progression.