Defence Minister honours NCC cadets for historic Everest ascent

New Delhi, Jun 12: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday honoured the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Mountaineering Expedition Team, which successfully scaled Mount Everest on May 18, 2025. The team, comprising five girls and five boys with an average age of 19, was led by Col Amit Bisht and returned without any injuries despite the extreme conditions.

At a felicitation ceremony held at South Block in New Delhi, the Defence Minister commended the cadets for their exceptional courage, discipline, and determination. He presented the team with a cheque of `10 lakh as a token of appreciation and praised their achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

During the event, the cadets shared their experiences, describing the rigorous training and meticulous preparation that went into the expedition. Rajnath Singh said the cadets had “passed the test of courage, resilience and composure with flying colours” and called them a source of inspiration for the youth of India.

He added that the successful summit of the world’s highest peak had sent a powerful message, that no goal is out of reach for India's youth. The Minister also lauded the NCC’s role in instilling national pride and shaping physically, mentally, and emotionally strong individuals with strong social skills. He expressed appreciation for the families of the cadets who supported them throughout the journey. This marks the NCC’s third successful ascent of Everest, following earlier expeditions in 2013 and 2016. The 2025 team included 10 cadets along with officers, junior commissioned officers, instructors, and support personnel. Among them was Subedar Major Balkar Singh, the first Subedar Major in the Indian Army to scale Everest. The youngest cadet on the team was just 16 years old. Flagged off by the Defence Minister on April 3, the expedition was carried out in strict adherence to safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of every member at each stage. Director General of NCC, Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, and other dignitaries were also present during the ceremony.