Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the National Cadet Corps’ (NCC) All India Girls High-Altitude Long Trek ‘Aparajita–Parang La 2026’ at an event in New Delhi on August 18, marking the commencement of a challenging 30-day expedition across one of India’s most demanding high-altitude trekking routes.
The expedition will see 28 NCC Girl Cadets, with an average age of 19 years, undertake an approximately 250-km trek across the Himalayas, traversing the Parang La Pass at an altitude of 5,578 metres (18,300 feet). The route connects Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley with the Changthang region of Ladakh and features high-altitude deserts, glaciers, snowfields and river valleys.
Led by three women officers representing the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, the expedition is aimed at fostering leadership, resilience, discipline, teamwork, endurance and self-confidence among NCC Girl Cadets.
Addressing the cadets, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described their participation in the arduous expedition as a powerful demonstration of the courage, determination and growing capabilities of India’s Nari Shakti. He commended the cadets for their rigorous physical and mental preparation and expressed confidence that the expedition would provide them with valuable lessons in resilience, confidence and self-discovery.
The Defence Minister urged the expedition team to accord the highest priority to safety, environmental protection and respectful engagement with local communities during the trek. He called upon the cadets to strictly follow the instructions of their instructors, avoid unnecessary risks and adopt a zero-waste approach to safeguard the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
The expedition will cover a demanding route through Kibber, Dumla, Thaltak, Bongrojen, Parang La, Dak Karzong, Norbu Sumdo, Kiangdom and Korzok, supported by officers, medical personnel, instructors and other support staff.
Singh also highlighted the growing participation and achievements of NCC cadets in adventure activities across land, water and air, noting that the participation of girl cadets in such demanding expeditions reflects the expanding role of women in challenging domains.
The participation of cadets drawn from NCC Directorates across the country also embodies the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, with young cadets from diverse linguistic, cultural and social backgrounds coming together for a common national endeavour.
The expedition is being conducted in two phases. A preparatory and acclimatisation trek was first undertaken in the Bhaba-Pin Valley sector, following which the final team was selected on merit.
Conceptualised to promote Nari Shakti, leadership, teamwork, endurance, self-confidence and national integration, ‘Aparajita–Parang La 2026’ represents the NCC’s continuing emphasis on adventure training and character development among the youth.
Director General NCC Lieutenant General Virendra Vats and senior officials from the NCC and Ministry of Defence were present during the flag-off ceremony.
