Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated 10 NCC cadets for summiting Mount Everest on May 18, 2025. The historic feat, led by Colonel Amit Bisht, showcases youth courage and resilience. Singh praised the team’s discipline and the NCC’s role in nurturing strong, socially responsible future citizens.
In a proud and momentous ceremony held at South Block, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh honoured ten brave cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) for successfully scaling Mount Everest on May 18, 2025. The team, comprising five boys and five girls, marked a historic feat, showcasing the true spirit of determination, courage, and patriotism.
The expedition, which culminated at the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, was led by Colonel Amit Bisht and supported by a dedicated team of officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs), instructors, and non-commissioned officers. The cadets, aged between 16 and 20, overcame extreme weather, altitude sickness, and grueling terrain to achieve this rare distinction—without a single injury reported during the mission.
Defence Minister Singh, in his address, praised the cadets for passing the test of human endurance, discipline, and mental fortitude in one of the harshest environments on Earth. “The NCC cadets have not only conquered Mount Everest but also proven that no peak is insurmountable for India’s youth,” he said. “They are a source of immense inspiration for the entire nation.”
Each cadet was felicitated with a cheque of ₹10 lakh in recognition of their extraordinary accomplishment. The Defence Minister expressed admiration for the leadership of Colonel Amit Bisht and the commitment of the entire support team. He also extended heartfelt appreciation to the families of the cadets for their unwavering support during the challenging mission.
“This expedition is a shining example of what our youth can achieve when given the right guidance and motivation,” Singh stated. “I am confident these cadets will face any future challenge with the same courage they showed in this mission.”
The event saw the presence of several dignitaries, including the Director General of NCC, Lt. Gen. Gurbirpal Singh, who commended the effort and spirit of the young mountaineers. He remarked that the expedition underscored the NCC’s commitment to building not just strong leaders but socially responsible and mentally resilient citizens.
This was the third successful Everest expedition by the NCC, following earlier summits in 2013 and 2016. Notably, this year’s expedition included Subedar Major Balkar Singh, who became the first Subedar Major in the Indian Army to scale Mount Everest. The team also boasted one of the youngest climbers in recent Everest history, a 16-year-old cadet whose courage and performance drew special praise.
During the ceremony, the cadets shared their journey—months of preparation, endurance drills, high-altitude acclimatization, and final ascent strategies. Their stories offered a rare glimpse into the sheer willpower required to conquer nature’s toughest challenges.
One of the cadets described the summit moment as “surreal and humbling,” stating, “Standing at the top of the world, holding the Indian flag, we felt we had not only conquered the mountain but had also paid tribute to the dreams of every young Indian.”
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The Defence Minister emphasized that the achievement reflects the core values that NCC instills—unity, leadership, and service to the nation. “It is institutions like the NCC that shape the backbone of our future,” he noted.
This milestone has not only boosted the morale of young Indians across the country but also highlighted the vital role played by defence-oriented training and mentorship in unlocking the untapped potential of the nation’s youth.
As India celebrates the success of these ten cadets, their ascent becomes symbolic of the unyielding spirit of a new generation that is willing to defy limits, push boundaries, and leave a lasting impact on the nation’s journey forward.
