Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena described the earlier restriction as “unjustified and restrictive,” stating that it limited employment opportunities and mobility for educated youth in the Union Territory.
BY PC Bureau
April 25, 2026: In a significant administrative reform, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has scrapped a restrictive provision that barred government employees holding graduate or higher qualifications — but appointed to lower-qualification posts — from applying for graduate-level government jobs in the future.
The decision, announced today, effectively removes the earlier requirement that candidates declare they did not possess higher educational qualifications at the time of appointment to posts such as 10th or 12th pass-based roles. This declaration had, in practice, rendered many employees ineligible for subsequent recruitment to higher-level posts despite gaining eligibility through experience or continued education.
Terming the earlier restriction “unjustified” and “restrictive,” the Lieutenant Governor stated that limiting opportunities based on maximum educational qualification violated the fundamental right to fair employment mobility. The move is expected to benefit thousands of young Ladakhis currently employed in entry-level government positions such as Orderly and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), many of whom had faced stagnation in career progression.
“Accordingly, the provision contained in Para 3 of OM dated 25.03.2026 is hereby set aside. All candidates already in Government service, including those appointed on the basis of such declarations/undertakings, shall be allowed to appear in future graduate-level examinations and apply for higher posts, subject to fulfilment of other prescribed eligibility conditions,” the order stated.
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The relaxation applies uniformly to all existing employees and cannot be denied on the basis of earlier affidavits. It comes into effect with immediate effect.
Officials in the LG’s Secretariat noted that the decision follows several representations from affected employees and aspirants. In Ladakh’s difficult terrain and limited job market, such restrictions had been widely criticised for blocking upward mobility among educated youth working in lower-grade positions.
Shri Saxena emphasised that the administration remains committed to inclusive and responsive governance. “It is the responsibility of the Administration to ensure equal opportunities for all sections of society, irrespective of their educational qualifications,” he said. “The UT Administration is committed to responsive governance, and proactive steps will be taken to address genuine public concerns.”
The decision is being seen as a landmark reform aimed at easing artificial barriers in recruitment policy and expanding career advancement opportunities for government employees in Ladakh.
