28 Ladakh Places Get Standard Names on Survey of India Map

28 places in Ladakh given standard names on the Survey of India map

Asked by UPSCPrelims 20261 PYQ

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

Prelims 2026Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience),…Solve with answer

Battle Brief

On 2 October 2026 the Government, in consultation with the UT of Ladakh, identified 28 places and features in Ladakh by standard names on the official Survey of India map. They include peaks such as Atisha Giri, Kanishka Peak and Zorawar Peak, the Chapchingal and Shachmirk passes, Skamri Glacier, Guru Rinpoche Lake and Yangpa River.

Fact File

Date: 2 Oct 2026
Places named: 28
Map: Survey of India, UT of Ladakh
Done with: UT administration of Ladakh
Purpose: accurate recognition, public awareness

In the news

Ladakh place names: what happened?

Standard names on the official map remove confusion and fix how places are recorded. Several names honour historical and Buddhist figures.

The Government, in consultation with UT Ladakh, identified 28 places/features by standard names on the official Survey of India map [PIB].
Examples: Atisha Giri, Kanishka Peak, Zorawar Peak, Martand Giri (peaks); Chapchingal and Shachmirk passes; Skamri Glacier; Shkorga Valley; Guru Rinpoche Lake; Yangpa River [PIB].

By the numbers

Which Ladakh names should you remember?

Selected features (PIB, 2 Oct 2026)
Name	Type
Zorawar Peak	Peak
Kanishka Peak	Peak
Atisha Giri	Peak
Rinchen Zangpo	Peak
Milarepa Kangri	Peak
Chapchingal Pass, Shachmirk Pass	Passes
Skamri Glacier, Parpik	Glaciers
Guru Rinpoche	Lake
Yangpa	River
Shkorga	Valley

Why examiners care

Why does Ladakh place names matter?

Geography: Names on official maps aid administration and defence.
Culture: Names recall figures like Kanishka, Zorawar Singh and Buddhist teachers.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on Ladakh place names?

Survey of India is the official mapping agency.
Zorawar, Kanishka, Atisha Giri: peaks; Skamri: glacier; Guru Rinpoche: lake.

Answer Lab

How to write about Ladakh place names in Mains

Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): Why is standardising place names on official maps important for border regions like Ladakh?

Intro: 28 names.
Administrative and strategic value.
Cultural memory.
Conclusion.

How to use this in Mains

GS-I Security challenges in border areas

As per PIB, MHA (2026-10-02): the Government, in consultation with UT Ladakh, identified 28 places/features by standard names on the official Survey of India map.
Place-name standardisation in border areas is a mapping and sovereignty issue.

Quotable data point
The Government, in consultation with UT Ladakh, identified 28 places/features by standard names on the official Survey of India map.
PIB, MHA: 28 places/features in Ladakh identified on Survey of India map, 2 Oct 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Among the 28 newly named features in Ladakh, Skamri is a

Answer (c) & explanation

PIB, 2 Oct 2026.

Practice · UPSC

Which feature type is "Guru Rinpoche" in the list?

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB, 2 Oct 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

How many places in Ladakh were given standard names?

28.

On which map are they shown?

The official Survey of India map of the UT of Ladakh.

Name a lake on the list.

Guru Rinpoche Lake.