Economy of Ladakh
Ladakh has been a separate UT (without legislature) since 31 October 2019. Its economy is small, high-altitude and tourism-led.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Livelihood | Farming (one crop a year), herding, tourism, army-linked services |
| Main crops | Barley, wheat, buckwheat, peas, vegetables in short summers |
| Fruit | India's largest apricot producer (Kargil, Leh, Nubra). Sea buckthorn (Nubra, Leh, Changthang) |
| Pashmina | Changthang herders (over 10,000 nomads) rear the Changthangi goat; GI tag for Pashmina wool of Ladakh |
| Crafts | Namda rugs, hand-woven woollens, Ladakh wood carving (GI), Thangka paintings |
| ODOP | Leh: Sea buckthorn. Kargil: Apricot. |
| Tourism | Arrivals about 2.79 lakh (2019), 5.31 lakh (2022), 5.25 lakh (2023); homestays employ over 25,000 |
| Energy | Nimoo Bazgo (45 MW) and Chutak (44 MW) hydel projects; large solar and Puga geothermal potential |
| Water | Jal Jeevan Mission coverage about 99.5% |
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from the J&K Economic Survey 2025-26, J&K Budget 2026-27, PRS Legislative Research, NITI Aayog and replies in Parliament and the Legislative Assembly. Figures are advance estimates or latest available and official replies sometimes differ, so check the latest Economic Survey and Budget before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.