Ladakh, which was carved out as a separate union territory from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, has secured a distinct identity in Aadhaar records.A spokesperson for the Ladakh administration said residents could now see their identity reflected in Aadhaar records with “Ladakh” replacing “Jammu & Kashmir” in the state field.Officials said Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena took a serious note of Aadhaar records of Ladakh’s residents continuing to reflect the erstwhile state name — J&K — instead of Ladakh, despite the formation of the UT in 2019. He directed the UT Administration to resolve the issue at the earliest.Subsequently, the administration moved the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which corrected the anomaly, ensuring that Ladakh’s distinct regional identity was accurately represented in Aadhaar records.The continued reflection of Jammu & Kashmir in Aadhaar records had been causing inconvenience to Ladakh residents. They faced difficulties in using Aadhaar as a valid proof of identity and address while availing services, as the “state” field did not correspond to Ladakh’s post-reorganisation status.The L-G said the development would greatly benefit residents by removing procedural hurdles and enabling seamless access to services.“Ensuring that Ladakh’s identity is accurately reflected in official records is not only an administrative necessity but also a matter of identity and convenience for our people. The successful resolution of this long-pending issue reflects the UT Administration’s commitment to responsive governance, ease of living, and proper representation of Ladakh across official platforms,” Saxena said.To resolve the issue, the UT Administration, in coordination with UIDAI, devised an innovative mechanism to update the State field centrally. Instead of requiring residents to visit Aadhaar centres individually, records were updated based on Ladakh-specific PIN codes, which were verified in coordination with the Department of Posts and shared with UIDAI.The spokesperson said this development “has brought significant relief to the people of Ladakh, as they no longer need to visit Aadhaar centres individually for updates. Residents can now easily download their updated e-Aadhaar from the official UIDAI portal, and those wishing to obtain a PVC Aadhaar card may order it online by paying a nominal fee.”