In a proud and inspiring moment for the nation, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth interacted with the triumphant National Cadet Corps (NCC) Mount Everest Expedition team in New Delhi on June 11, 2025. The meeting followed the team’s remarkable achievement of successfully summiting the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, on May 18, 2025. The cadets, beaming with a sense of accomplishment, shared their awe-inspiring experiences of the grueling expedition, offering insight into the meticulous planning, rigorous training, and formidable challenges they encountered during their climb.
During the interaction, Shri Sanjay Seth praised the cadets for their exceptional courage, discipline, and unity. He congratulated them for going beyond their limits and making the nation and NCC proud. “Conquering Everest is no small feat—it tests mental strength, physical stamina, and, above all, teamwork. You’ve shown excellence in every aspect,” he stated.
The expedition marks a significant milestone as the third successful Mount Everest conquest by the NCC, following earlier summits in 2013 and 2016. This legacy continues to reflect the NCC’s commitment to nurturing youth leadership and adventure spirit. The 2025 team consisted of ten cadets—five boys and five girls—with an average age of just 19. Notably, many of them were first-time climbers, making the feat all the more commendable. Their achievement stands as a testimony to the NCC’s robust training ecosystem and the cadets’ individual grit.
The team was not alone in their journey. They were guided and supported by an expert contingent of officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs), instructors, and non-commissioned officers (NCOs), who ensured the mission was carried out with military precision and utmost safety. The expedition was officially flagged off by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh from New Delhi on April 3, 2025, setting in motion a two-month-long journey of ambition, determination, and triumph.
Throughout the interaction, cadets vividly recalled their experiences—navigating treacherous crevasses, enduring extreme weather conditions, and adjusting to high-altitude oxygen levels. They credited their success to rigorous months-long preparation, which included physical conditioning, technical mountaineering training, and acclimatization routines carried out under the watchful eyes of experienced instructors.
This accomplishment by the young cadets once again highlights the role of NCC in shaping responsible, resilient, and confident citizens ready to take on global challenges. It is not just a mountaineering success—it is a reflection of the indomitable spirit of India’s youth.
As Shri Sanjay Seth rightly summarized in his concluding words, “This summit is more than a personal achievement for each of you—it is a beacon of inspiration for countless young Indians who now know that no peak is too high if pursued with commitment and courage.”
