Daijiworld Media Network - Leh
Leh, Oct 20: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved the operationalisation of Ladakh's first medical college in Leh from the academic year 2027-28, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena said on Tuesday.
Taking to social media platform X, Saxena described the approval as another historic milestone for Ladakh.
“Ladakh's first medical college in Leh is all set to become a reality, with the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, approving the operationalisation of the medical college, starting from the academic year 2027-28,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor thanked Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda for considering his request and granting a one-time relaxation from the requirement of completing 80 per cent of the infrastructure before initiating the recruitment of faculty and support staff.
“This crucial intervention allows us to initiate staggered, preparatory recruitment for 103 sanctioned regular posts, right away, even as the construction of our dedicated academic infrastructure progresses,” Saxena said.
He said the approval fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of the people of Ladakh and would expand opportunities for local youth to pursue quality medical education closer to home. It would also significantly strengthen the region's long-term healthcare ecosystem.
“The Union Territory Administration will ensure all necessary arrangements to welcome our first batch of medical students,” he added.
The development comes days after the Leh bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court was inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on October 18. The event was attended by Supreme Court judges, judges of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Lieutenant Governor and senior civil and police officers.
The Central government has also approved the establishment of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) campuses in Leh.
These initiatives aim to provide young people in the Union Territory with access to quality technical and professional education without requiring them to move to other parts of the country.