The Indian Air Force (IAF) along with Air Force Chief Air Marshal A.P. Singh has celebrated the third successful Mount Everest expedition by the National Cadet Corps (NCC), completed on May 18, 2025. The feat saw ten young cadets—five boys and five girls—reach the 8,848-meter summit with a flawless 100 per cent success rate, winning admiration from seasoned Sherpas and international mountaineers alike.
Flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 3, 2025, the expedition represents a major achievement in youth-led high-altitude exploration. The cadets, aged between 16 and 19, underwent rigorous training at the Army Mountaineering Institute, including advanced acclimatization and resilience-building programs based on the latest high-altitude physiology research.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who assumed command of the IAF on September 30, 2024, personally felicitated the cadets and supporting team members. He lauded their courage and perseverance, calling them an inspiration to the nation and a symbol of India’s adventurous spirit.
This is the NCC’s third successful ascent of Everest, following earlier expeditions in 2013 and 2016. The current team was supported by four officers, two junior commissioned officers, one girl cadet instructor, and ten non-commissioned officers, forming a well-coordinated unit that ensured safety and success in one of the world’s most challenging environments.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the mission as a demonstration of national resolve and youth empowerment. He emphasized that such achievements elevate India’s global image in adventure sports and inspire young citizens to embrace discipline, endurance, and leadership.
The success has sparked a nationwide sense of pride, with plans in motion to expand similar initiatives as part of national youth development and adventure training programs.
