 Mountaineering Expedition Team on June 12, 2025, for their extraordinary achievement of successfully summiting Mount Everest){kind=link}
JUNE 12: In a proud moment for the nation, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh felicitated the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Mountaineering Expedition Team on June 12, 2025, for their extraordinary achievement of successfully summiting Mount Everest. The team, comprising five boys and five girls with an average age of 19 years, scaled the world’s highest peak on May 18, 2025, overcoming extreme conditions and formidable challenges.
During the felicitation ceremony held at South Block, New Delhi, Raksha Mantri presented the team with a cheque of Rs 10 lakh as a token of appreciation for their courage, determination, and patriotism. The cadets, led by Col Amit Bisht, shared their experiences of the rigorous preparation, intense training, and tough conditions they faced during the expedition. Shri Rajnath Singh praised the team for their discipline, resilience, and composure, stating that they passed a demanding test of both physical and mental strength.
Describing the cadets as role models for the youth of India, Raksha Mantri emphasized that the expedition sends a strong message that even the world’s highest peak is not beyond the reach of India’s youth. He expressed confidence that the cadets will continue to display the same level of dedication and determination in facing future challenges.
Shri Rajnath Singh also acknowledged the vital role played by the NCC in fostering national pride, discipline, and holistic development among cadets. He extended his appreciation to the families of the cadets for their unwavering support throughout the expedition. The event was graced by the presence of DG NCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh and other senior dignitaries.
This successful expedition marks the NCC’s third successful ascent of Mount Everest, following similar achievements in 2013 and 2016. The team not only included the 10 cadets but also officers, junior commissioned officers, instructors, and non-commissioned officers who provided crucial support throughout the mission. Notably, Subedar Major Balkar Singh became the first Subedar Major of the Indian Army to summit Mount Everest as part of this team. The youngest member of the team was only 16 years old.
Flagged off by Raksha Mantri on April 3, 2025, the expedition adhered strictly to established safety protocols and operational guidelines, ensuring the well-being of every member at all stages of the climb.