Raksha Mantri Flags Off Expeditions to Mt Everest and Mt Kangchenjunga

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today flagged off two major mountaineering expeditions to Mount Everest (8,848m) and Mount Kangchenjunga (8,586m) from South Block, New Delhi. The expeditions aim to showcase the resilience and skill of the Indian Army and NCC, while strengthening Indo-Nepal mountaineering ties.

The Indian Army’s Everest expedition consists of 34 climbers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Manoj Joshi, who will follow the traditional South Col Route. Meanwhile, the joint Indo-Nepal team scaling Mount Kangchenjunga comprises 12 Indian Army mountaineers and six from the Nepali Army, under the leadership of Colonel Sarfaraz Singh of the Indian Army.

Additionally, a joint NCC expedition to Mount Everest, led by Colonel Amit Bisht, features 10 NCC cadets (five girls and five boys), along with four officers and 11 instructors. The teams are set to begin their ascent this month, aiming to reach the summits by May 2025.

During the event, Raksha Mantri Singh commended the mountaineers for their courage and determination, expressing confidence that their achievements will inspire youth and reinforce India’s leadership in high-altitude mountaineering.

The flag-off ceremony, organized by the Indian Army, was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Nepal’s Ambassador to India Dr. Shankar P Sharma, and other senior civil and military officials.