Defence Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh on June 12, 2025, honoured the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Mountaineering Expedition Team for successfully scaling Mount Everest on May 18, 2025. At a ceremony held at South Block, New Delhi, the Minister applauded the courage, discipline, and resilience of the ten-member team—comprising five girls and five boys with an average age of 19—and presented a cheque of Rs. 10 lakh as a token of appreciation.
Led by Colonel Amit Bisht, the expedition team achieved the remarkable feat without any injuries, despite the extreme conditions on the world’s highest peak. The cadets shared their journey with the Defence Minister, recounting the months of rigorous training, planning, and the challenges faced during the ascent. Mr. Rajnath Singh praised the cadets for their unwavering determination and composure, calling them a symbol of inspiration for the youth of the nation.
Describing the cadets as trailblazers, he stated that their achievement demonstrates that no summit is unreachable for the youth of India. He also commended the role of NCC in nurturing national pride and building character among cadets by strengthening their physical, mental, and emotional faculties, alongside their social awareness. The contribution of family members who supported the cadets was also acknowledged.
The team’s success marks NCC’s third successful Everest expedition, following earlier accomplishments in 2013 and 2016. The expedition included officers, junior commissioned officers, instructors, and non-commissioned officers. Among them was Subedar Major Balkar Singh, the first Subedar Major of the Indian Army to summit Everest. The youngest member of the team was just 16 years old.
The expedition was officially flagged off by the Defence Minister on April 3, 2025. Throughout the mission, the team followed strict safety protocols and operational procedures, ensuring the safety of every participant. Director General NCC, Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, was also present during the felicitation ceremony.
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