New Delhi, September 25, 2026: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday flagged in a historic First Ascent Mountaineering Expedition after a team of 20 climbers successfully summited 20 previously unclimbed peaks above 6,000 metres in Ladakh within just 23 days.
The expedition marks the first recorded successful ascents of 20 unclimbed peaks across the Chamser-Lungser, Gyama Nala and Chokula areas of the Ladakh Range, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The challenging expedition was undertaken by a team of highly skilled mountaineers from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang). The team was led by Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal.
Rajnath Singh Praises Mountaineers
Interacting with the expedition members during the flag-in ceremony in New Delhi, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh praised the climbers for their courage, determination and commitment in completing the demanding mission.
He described the achievement as a demonstration of India’s capabilities in mountaineering and adventure sports, while highlighting the technical skill and leadership displayed by the team.
Singh said the successful ascents could inspire young people across the country to take up adventure and exploration. He also described the climbers as a source of inspiration for future generations of mountaineers.
20 Peaks Conquered in 23 Days
The expedition involved the ascent of 20 peaks, each rising above 6,000 metres, in a highly challenging high-altitude environment.
Completing the mission in 23 days required extensive planning, physical endurance, technical expertise and coordinated teamwork. The expedition was designed not only to explore and summit previously unclimbed terrain but also to promote the spirit of adventure in India’s high-altitude regions.
The achievement adds to India’s mountaineering record and highlights the capabilities of trained Indian climbers in demanding Himalayan conditions.
Promoting Adventure and Exploration
According to the Ministry of Defence, the expedition was organised with the objective of encouraging adventure, exploration and mountaineering in high-altitude frontiers.
The successful mission is also expected to encourage aspiring mountaineers to explore challenging terrain and develop greater interest in high-altitude adventure activities.
The expedition’s focus on previously unclimbed peaks provided an opportunity for the NIMAS team to undertake technically demanding ascents while demonstrating the importance of preparation, teamwork and resilience in extreme environments.
The flag-in ceremony was held at Kartavya Bhavan-2 in New Delhi. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence were also present.
The successful completion of the expedition places the achievement among notable recent milestones in Indian high-altitude mountaineering and reflects the growing focus on adventure and exploration in the country’s mountain regions.
