New Delhi, August 18, 2026: In a strong display of courage, endurance and women-led leadership, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today flagged off the National Cadet Corps’ (NCC) All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’ in New Delhi.
The expedition will bring together 28 NCC girl cadets, led by women officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force, for an approximately 250-kilometre trek spread over 30 days across some of the most challenging terrain in the Himalayas.
Challenging Journey Across the Himalayas
The expedition will cross Parang La Pass at an altitude of 5,578 metres (18,300 feet), connecting Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley with the Changthang region of Ladakh. The route will take the participants through high-altitude deserts, glaciers, snowfields and river valleys.
The planned route includes Kibber, Dumla, Thaltak, Bongrojen, Parang La Pass, Dak Karzong, Norbu Sumdo, Kiangdom and Korzok, making the expedition a demanding test of physical fitness and mental resilience.
The participating cadets have an average age of around 19 years, while the youngest member of the team is only 16 and a half years old. Their participation highlights the increasing role of young women in adventure activities and leadership-oriented programmes.
Rajnath Singh Highlights Spirit of Nari Shakti
Addressing the cadets before the expedition, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described their participation as a powerful reflection of the courage, determination and growing capabilities of India’s Nari Shakti.
He said such challenging expeditions provide young people with lessons that extend beyond physical adventure. According to the Defence Ministry, the trek is intended to strengthen qualities such as leadership, discipline, teamwork, confidence and mental resilience.
The Defence Minister also encouraged the cadets to approach the expedition responsibly, with particular attention to safety and environmental protection.
Focus on Safety and Himalayan Ecology
Given the difficult conditions expected along the route, the expedition team has been advised to follow the guidance of trained instructors and avoid unnecessary risks.
Environmental responsibility is another important component of the expedition. The cadets have been encouraged to adopt a zero-waste approach, protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and interact respectfully with communities living along the route.
The emphasis reflects a broader understanding of adventure tourism and trekking, where exploration must go hand in hand with conservation and respect for local cultures.
Building Leadership Through Adventure
The ‘Aparajita’ expedition has been conceptualised not simply as a trekking exercise but as a platform for developing young women into confident and capable leaders.
The cadets come from different NCC Directorates across the country, bringing together participants from diverse linguistic, cultural and regional backgrounds. Their shared journey is expected to reinforce the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, while encouraging teamwork and national integration.
The expedition is being conducted in two phases. A preparatory and acclimatisation trek was first organised in the Bhaba-Pin Valley sector, after which the final participants were selected on merit. This preparatory phase was aimed at ensuring that the selected cadets were adequately prepared for the demanding conditions ahead.
A Defining Experience for Young Cadets
The ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’ expedition represents an important opportunity for the participating cadets to test their physical and mental limits while experiencing some of the most spectacular and demanding landscapes of the Himalayas.
More importantly, the expedition sends a wider message about the potential of young women to take on challenging assignments, lead from the front and develop the confidence needed to overcome difficult situations.
As the 28 cadets begin their 250-kilometre journey, the expedition is expected to become not only an achievement in adventure but also a memorable lesson in resilience, leadership, teamwork and self-belief.
Source: Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.