When did Ladakh become a union territory of India?

Question

When did Ladakh become a union territory of India?

1. A. 2020
2. B. 2019 (Correct answer)
3. C. 2021
4. D. 2017

Correct Answer

Option B — 2019

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 2019.

Key Points

• Ladakh became a Union Territory on 31 October 2019, when the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 came into force.
• The former state of Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, with a legislature, and Ladakh, without one.
• The date was chosen deliberately — 31 October is the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, observed as National Unity Day.

Additional Information

• The reorganisation accompanied the abrogation of Article 370 and the effective removal of Article 35A in August 2019, ending the special status under which J&K had its own constitution and flag.
• Ladakh comprises the districts of Leh and Kargil, each of which retains an elected Autonomous Hill Development Council.
• The change took India from 29 states and 7 Union Territories to 28 states and 9 Union Territories; the count later became 8 UTs when Dadra and Nagar Haveli merged with Daman and Diu in January 2020.
• Ladakh is India's largest Union Territory by area and among the most sparsely populated, bordering both Pakistan and China.