NCC Launches Challenging Trek for Young Girl Cadets
In a remarkable display of courage and determination, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh officially launched the All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek, named ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’, at an event in New Delhi on August 18, 2026. This flagship adventure initiative of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) will take participants through the Parang La Pass, standing at 5,578 meters (18,300 feet), linking Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley with Ladakh’s Changthang region, and is considered one of India’s most daunting high-altitude trekking paths.
The expedition is set to be led by three accomplished women officers representing the armed services. A total of 28 young girl cadets, averaging 19 years in age, will take part, with the youngest being just 16 and a half. In his address, Raksha Mantri highlighted that the involvement of young women in such a formidable trek showcases their bravery and growing capabilities.
Over the next 30 days, accompanied by dedicated officers, medical personnel, and instructors, the team will navigate approximately 250 kilometers of rugged terrain across the Himalayas. The expedition route includes various challenging locations, such as Kibber, Dumla, Thaltak, Bongrojen, Parang La Pass, Dak Karzong, Norbu Sumdo, Kiangdom, and Korzok, as they traverse through high-altitude deserts, glaciers, and river valleys.
Shri Rajnath Singh extended his best wishes to the team for a safe journey, noting that such experiences are critical in nurturing leadership skills, mental fortitude, discipline, and self-assurance among youth. He encouraged the cadets to regard this trek as a transformative life lesson, aiming to build their resilience and deepen their self-discovery. “The cadets will return with not just unforgettable memories but a stronger understanding of their inner strength,” he remarked.
Prioritizing safety, environmental protection, and interaction with local communities, Shri Singh advised the team members to closely follow their instructors’ guidance, avoid unnecessary risks, and adopt sustainable practices to protect the Himalayan ecosystem. He urged them to engage with local residents respectfully, appreciating their culture and traditions, and to learn from their rich experiences. This journey is anticipated to serve as a pivotal milestone, inspiring the cadets to embody the spirit of ‘Aparajita’ throughout their lives.
The growing accomplishments of NCC cadets in various adventure activities were also evident, with Shri Singh praising the girl cadets for exemplifying ‘Nari Shakti’ by leading these initiatives. He emphasized that the diverse backgrounds of participating cadets from across India, united by a common mission, reflect the essence of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
Present at the event were Lieutenant General Virendra Vats, Director General of the NCC, along with other senior officials from the NCC and the Ministry of Defence. The expedition is being executed in two phases, starting with a preparatory trek in the Bhaba-Pin Valley sector, after which the final team was selected based on merit. This initiative aims to foster Nari Shakti, leadership skills, teamwork, endurance, and national integration among NCC Girl Cadets.
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