New Delhi: In a moment of immense national pride, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) has successfully scripted history as its mountaineering team summited Mount Everest (8,848 metres) , proudly hoisting the Indian Tricolour and the NCC flag on the world’s highest peak.
The expedition team comprised 10 NCC cadets — five boys and five girls — accompanied by four officers, two junior commissioned officers, one female cadet trainer, and 10 non-commissioned officers. These cadets were selected through a rigorous national-level selection and training process, designed to test their endurance, skill, and adaptability.
As part of their preparation, the cadets first took part in a pre-Everest expedition on Mount Abi Gamin, a challenging peak in the Garhwal Himalayas. Following their performance, 15 cadets were shortlisted for advanced training at the Army Mountaineering Institute in Siachen, where they underwent intensive winter and technical mountaineering training. From this pool, the final team of 10 cadets was selected for the Everest summit attempt.
The youthful team, with an average age of 19, garnered admiration at every phase of the ascent for their fitness, discipline, and resilience. Even seasoned Sherpas in Nepal praised the cadets’ high morale and physical readiness during their acclimatization and climb through difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions.
Braving extreme cold, high winds, and treacherous altitudes, the cadets unfurled the Indian national flag and the NCC flag at the summit, symbolizing the strength, spirit, and commitment of India’s youth.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had flagged off the expedition on April 3, 2025, from New Delhi. This marks NCC’s third successful Everest expedition, following earlier summits in 2013 and 2016.
The achievement has been hailed as a testament to the indomitable spirit of India’s youth, and stands as a shining example of NCC’s role in fostering leadership, discipline, and adventure in the country’s next generation.
