MANDI: In a remarkable feat of courage and determination, 17-year-old Kritika Sharma, an NCC cadet from Shri Renukaji Assembly constituency in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, has scripted history by successfully summiting Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,848.86 metres.
Along with the national flag, Kritika also proudly unfurled the NCC and her college flag atop the Himalayan giant — a moment that brings immense pride to her state and the entire nation.
Her achievement stands as a testament to youthful resilience and ambition, transforming the saying “When courage challenges the Himalayas, history is written” into a vivid reality
NCC mountaineering expedition creates national record
Kritika was part of a 10-member team of cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) that scaled Mount Everest on May 18, 2025, and safely returned to the Everest Base Camp the following day, May 19. This marks NCC’s third successful summit of Mount Everest, following expeditions in 2013 and 2016.
The team was composed of five girl and five boy cadets with an average age of just 19. The youngest climber in the team was only 16 years old. All cadets were chosen through a stringent nationwide selection process and underwent rigorous training in preparation for the expedition.
The cadets who successfully summited Everest include:
• Cadet Monika (Rajasthan)
• Cadet Pratima Rai (West Bengal)
• Cadet Rifiness Warjri (Meghalaya)
• Cadet Kritika Sharma (Himachal Pradesh)
• Cadet Abida Afreen (Ladakh)
• Cadet Mohit Knathia (Jammu & Kashmir)
• Cadet Padma Namgail (Chandigarh)
• Cadet Virendra Singh Samant (Uttarakhand)
• Cadet Sachin Kumar (Uttarakhand)
• Cadet Mukul Bangwal (Uttarakhand)
Admiration from international climbers and Sherpas
Despite facing harsh weather and navigating treacherous terrain, the cadets showcased exemplary discipline, endurance, and team spirit. Their performance drew praise from seasoned Sherpas and international mountaineers, who lauded their exceptional preparedness and high morale.
The expedition was the culmination of a well-structured and intensive training programme. As part of their preparation, the cadets participated in a pre-Everest expedition to Mt. Abi Gamin, followed by a winter training camp at the Army Mountaineering Institute, Siachen Base Camp. Only the best-performing cadets from these phases were selected for the final Everest mission.
The expedition was officially flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 3, 2025. Throughout the journey, the team adhered strictly to established safety protocols, ensuring the health and security of all members at every stage.
This victory is not merely a personal triumph for Kritika and her team, but a reflection of the potential, discipline, and spirit embedded in India’s youth. It also showcases the effectiveness of NCC’s training system and its role in nation-building.
Munish Sood
