Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth flagged-off joint expeditions to Mount Kangchenjunga and Mount Everest from South Block, New Delhi on March 26, 2025. The expedition to Mount Everest is being organised in collaboration with Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling, West Bengal, and Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Jammu & Kashmir to commemorate 60 glorious years of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. The Mount Kangchenjunga Expedition is organised by National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, under its ‘Har Shikhar Tiranga’ initiative.
Speaking on the occasion he described the mission as not just about reaching the top of the world but showcasing India’s mountaineering excellence and leadership in adventure sports. “India is fast emerging as a powerhouse in the global adventure sports arena, and mountaineering institutions functioning under the Ministry of Defence are playing a pivotal role in shaping India’s adventure ecosystem,” he said.
Sanjay Seth expressed confidence in the team’s abilities and highlighted the expedition’s significance. “By successfully summiting both mountains, the teams will set a new benchmark and inspire young mountaineers across the country and the world at large,” he said.
He further emphasised that mountaineering institutes have been at the forefront of training and inspiring the youth, truly embodying the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to foster self-reliance, resilience, and a fearless spirit among the young minds. He stressed that the expeditions would not only test the team’s endurance, skill, and teamwork but also serve as an inspiration for young adventurers.
Expedition to Mt Everest
The team comprises of seven highly skilled climbers from NIM, HMI and JIM&WS, all of whom have extensive experience in high-altitude mountaineering and extreme conditions. The expedition will be led by Col Anshuman Bhadauria, Principal, NIM. The team will embark on its journey on April 02, 2025, following the traditional South Col Route in Nepal, a path taken by legendary climbers before them. Their journey will include climbing through the treacherous Khumbu Valley, acclimatisation at extreme high-altitude camps and extensive preparation for the summit push in May 2025. This expedition is aimed at providing invaluable first-hand Everest experience to instructors, enabling them to train and inspire future generations of Indian mountaineers.
Expedition to Mt Kungchenjunga
The expedition is a landmark journey, starting on April 07, 2025, as Kangchenjunga is India’s highest and only 8,000-meter peak, making it one of the most challenging summits in the world. The expedition is being led by Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, Director, NIMAS, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh. The team comprises of five highly skilled climbers and three support staff. NIMAS has already successfully climbed the highest peaks of 27 states of India. Now, with the summit of Mount Kangchenjunga, all 28 states will be covered.
