28 Geo Features in Ladakh Formally Identified on Survey of India Map

New Delhi, October 2, 2026: The Government of India has formally identified 28 places and geographical features in the Union Territory of Ladakh using standard place and feature names on the official Survey of India (SoI) map.

The exercise was undertaken in consultation with the Ladakh Union Territory administration, with the government saying that the formal identification is intended to facilitate accurate recognition of the locations and create greater public awareness about their geographical significance.

The newly standardised features cover a range of geographical categories, including peaks, mountains, passes, glaciers, valleys, rivers, lakes, water bodies and land areas.

From Zorawar Peak to Guru Rinpoche Lake

Among the peaks included in the official list are Atisha Giri, Kanishka Peak, Martand Giri, Zorawar Peak, Rinchen Zangpo, Sakyasri Giri, Marpa Lotsava Ri, Milarepa Kangri, Shiva Ri and Maheshvara Ri.

The list also includes three mountains — Karun Pir, Drak Karpo and Jolmori — as well as two passes, Chapchingal Pass and Shachmirk Pass.

Two glaciers, Parpik and Skamri Glacier, and Shkorga Valley have also been formally identified.

Among the water-related features, Guru Rinpoche has been classified as a lake, Yangpa River as a river and Hot Spring as a water body.

Full list of 28 features

According to the government's list, the 28 identified locations and their categories are:

LocationFeatureAtisha GiriPeakBrangsaLand areaChapchingal PassPassKanishka PeakPeakKarun PirMountainKukselLand areaMartand GiriPeakParpikGlacierSkamri GlacierGlacierShachmirk PassPassShkorga ValleyValleyZorawar PeakPeakDehra CompassLand areaDrak KarpoMountainGograLand areaJolmoriMountainKumarayana PointLand areaPanglungLand areaRinchen ZangpoPeakSakyasri GiriPeakGuru RinpocheLakeShamal LungpaLand areaYangpa RiverRiverHot SpringWater bodyMarpa Lotsava RiPeakMilarepa KangriPeakShiva RiPeakMaheshvara RiPeak

The complete list was published by the government along with the announcement on October 2.

Why the move is significant

The formal inclusion of the features on Survey of India maps gives the locations standardised recognition in official Indian cartographic records. The government has specifically linked the exercise to accurate identification and greater public awareness.

Some of the locations, including Gogra and Hot Spring, are also significant in the context of the India-China border. Gogra and Hot Spring were among the areas associated with the military standoff in eastern Ladakh that began in 2020.

The move also comes amid continuing differences between India and China over geographical names and territorial claims along the disputed border. India has previously rejected China's attempts to assign names to locations in areas claimed by India, arguing that such renaming does not alter territorial claims.

The updated Ladakh map containing the additional locations is available through the Survey of India's official map resources.