The Union Cabinet on 20 August 2026 approved the establishment of a new Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh, making it the third seat of the High Court after Srinagar and Jammu. The decision was announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Ladakh Bench is aimed at bringing High Court services closer to residents, reducing the need to travel to Srinagar or Jammu and improving access to justice in the remote Union Territory. It is also expected to help address judicial pendency, with 44,557 cases pending before the High Court as of July 2026, including 6,106 cases pending for more than 10 years.
The move will strengthen judicial infrastructure in Ladakh, where only 5 of 10 subdivisions currently have court facilities. The Centre also reiterated its commitment to protecting Ladakh’s land, employment and cultural rights.
Key Fact: Ladakh will now have the third seat/bench of the High Court, alongside Srinagar and Jammu.
