Rajnath Singh Flags Off NCC Girls’ High-Altitude Trek Aparajita–Parang La 2026 in New Delhi
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on August 18, 2026, flagged off the National Cadet Corps’ All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek, “Aparajita – Parang La 2026”, in New Delhi, launching a 30-day Himalayan expedition designed to test and shape the leadership, endurance and confidence of young women cadets.
The trek will take 28 NCC girl cadets, with an average age of 19 years, across one of India’s toughest high-altitude routes. The youngest participant is 16-and-a-half years old. They will be led by women officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, reflecting the tri-service character of the expedition and the growing role of women in adventure and leadership roles within the NCC.
At the centre of the expedition is the Parang La Pass, situated at 5,578 metres, or 18,300 feet, above sea level. The route links Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley with the Changthang region of Ladakh and is regarded as one of the country’s most demanding high-altitude trekking corridors. Over the course of the journey, the cadets are expected to cover around 250 kilometres through remote Himalayan terrain that includes high-altitude deserts, glaciers, snowfields and river valleys.
The planned route for the trek includes Kibber, Dumla, Thaltak, Bongrojen, Parang La Pass, Dak Karzong, Norbu Sumdo, Kiangdom and Korzok. The sequence will expose the cadets to varied and difficult terrain, requiring sustained physical effort and mental adaptability at altitude.
Speaking to the participants at the flag-off ceremony, Rajnath Singh described the expedition as an example of the courage, determination and expanding capabilities of India’s women. He said the cadets were taking on an undertaking that would challenge them physically and mentally, while also giving them an opportunity to learn more about leadership, self-confidence and self-discovery.
The Raksha Mantri placed special emphasis on the value of adventure activities in shaping young people. According to him, such experiences help build discipline, teamwork, leadership qualities and mental resilience. He said he was confident that the cadets would return with memorable experiences and a deeper sense of their own abilities.
He also urged the team to remain fully focused on safety throughout the expedition. Rajnath Singh asked the cadets to follow their instructors’ guidance carefully, avoid unnecessary risks and adopt a zero-waste approach to protect the fragile Himalayan environment. He further encouraged them to interact respectfully with local communities, learn about their traditions and take in the experience of living and travelling through the region.
Highlighting the broader participation of NCC cadets in adventure activities across land, water and air, Rajnath Singh praised the girl cadets for embodying the spirit of Nari Shakti by stepping into demanding roles and leadership-oriented challenges. He also noted that the presence of cadets from NCC Directorates across the country reflects the idea of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, with young people from different linguistic, cultural and regional backgrounds undertaking a common mission together.
The expedition has been structured in two phases. An initial preparatory and acclimatisation trek was conducted in the Bhaba-Pin Valley sector, after which the final team of cadets was selected on merit. The arrangement is intended to ensure that the participants are better prepared for the physical demands of the high-altitude route ahead.
According to the NCC, “Aparajita – Parang La 2026” has been conceptualised to promote Nari Shakti, leadership, self-confidence, teamwork, endurance and national integration among girl cadets. The trek is meant not only as an adventure challenge, but also as a formative experience that can leave a lasting impact on the participants.
NCC Director General Lieutenant General Virendra Vats and senior officials from the NCC and the Ministry of Defence attended the ceremony in New Delhi.
