The approval covers 103 sanctioned posts, with the Ladakh administration authorised to stagger appointments according to academic needs. All appointments must be made on a regular basis under approved recruitment rules.
BY PC Bureau
October 20, 2026: The Centre has approved a one-time relaxation allowing Ladakh to begin recruiting faculty and support staff for the proposed Government Medical College at Spituk Pharka, Leh, before the campus reaches 80% infrastructure completion.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conveyed the approval in a letter dated October 13 to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Ladakh’s Health and Medical Education Department. The relaxation was sought by the Union Territory administration to enable the college to begin operations in the 2027-28 academic year.
The Department of Expenditure cleared the proposal on October 8, subject to specific conditions.
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Recruitment will be staggered against 103 posts sanctioned by the Department of Expenditure in November 2024. The Ladakh administration will determine the sequence of appointments according to academic requirements from 2027-28 onwards. All appointments must be made on a regular basis under the approved recruitment rules.
The Centre has also made clear that any interim arrangement will be temporary. Once the dedicated campus is ready, teaching and related activities must shift to the new infrastructure.
The UT administration must set timelines for completing the campus and inform the Department of Expenditure when the transition takes place.
The approval carries the sanction of the competent authority, according to the ministry’s letter, signed by Under Secretary Anurag Tiwari.
The decision allows Ladakh to begin staffing the proposed institution while construction continues. The college is intended to become the Union Territory’s first government medical college.
