In a proud and historic achievement, a team from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) successfully summited Mt Everest on Sunday morning, unfurling the Indian tricolour at the world’s highest peak.
The expedition team, featuring ten cadets—five boys and five girls—with an average age of just 19, completed the final ascent at 4:45 AM, according to a statement by the Defence Ministry. Accompanying them were four officers, two junior commissioned officers, a girl cadet instructor, and ten non-commissioned officers.
“Historic moment… Mt Everest Expedition Team of NCC summited Mt Everest today at 0445 hours. Summit photos awaited,” NCC posted on X.
This successful climb marks the third Everest expedition by the NCC, following earlier missions in 2013 and 2016. The current expedition was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 3 from New Delhi.
The NCC Director General had first announced the plan for this expedition during the annual press conference on January 3, revealing that selected cadets were undergoing rigorous training at the Siachen Battle School.
The cadets, chosen from across the country, were initially novices in mountaineering. They were handpicked after an intense selection process and trained through a pre-Everest expedition at Mt Abi Gamin, followed by technical and winter training at the Army Mountaineering Institute and Siachen Base Camp. Ultimately, 10 cadets were chosen for the final Everest mission.
Despite battling harsh terrain and extreme weather conditions, the young climbers impressed even seasoned Nepalese Sherpas with their physical readiness, discipline, and morale.
“Despite facing challenging weather and terrain, the cadets successfully unfurled the tricolour and the NCC flag atop the world’s highest peak, representing national pride and youth power,” said the Defence Ministry.
This achievement is not just a mountaineering milestone but a symbol of youth excellence and national spirit. The summit photos are expected to be released soon.
