Ladakh

Capital: Leh

Leadership data compiled via web research in July 2026 — may not reflect the very latest reshuffles or appointments.

Briefing

Ladakh is a high-altitude cold desert union territory in the Himalayas, bordering Tibet, known for Buddhist monasteries such as Hemis and Thiksey, and dramatic mountain landscapes including the Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso lake. Its economy relies significantly on tourism, pashmina wool production, and government services. Ladakh was carved out as a separate union territory without a legislature in October 2019 and is administered directly by a Lieutenant Governor.

State Identity & Symbols

State Emblem

The National Emblem of India rendered in silver on a blue banner, with "THE ADMINISTRATION OF" arced above and "UT LADAKH (INDIA)" below in gold.

State Animal

Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

State Bird

Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis)

State Flower

Himalayan blue poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia)

Images via Wikimedia Commons. Emblem: Government of Ladakh (Public domain). Animal: Irbis1983 (Public domain). Bird: Sumeetmoghe (CC BY-SA 4.0). Flower: DeFacto (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Population

2011 Census figures.

Total Population

274,289

Male Population

156,756

Female Population

117,533

Sex Ratio

750 females per 1000 males

Districts

Hover over a district to see its name.

Leh (capital district)

District boundaries adapted from udit-001/india-maps-data, based on Census of India 2011 district geometries.