In an inspiring achievement, 17-year-old Kritika Sharma from Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh, created history by successfully summiting Mount Everest, the world's highest peak at 8,848.86 meters.

A proud National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadet, Kritika carried and unfurled the Indian national flag, the NCC flag, and her college flag atop the peak. She was part of a 10-member NCC team comprising five girls and five boys, all selected through a nationwide rigorous process.

The team faced extreme weather and treacherous conditions but showed immense courage, discipline, and endurance. The cadets trained through a structured programme that included a pre-Everest expedition and winter camp at the Army Mountaineering Institute, Siachen.

The expedition, flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 3, 2025, marks NCC's third Everest summit. Kritika's success is a shining example of youth power, determination, and the strength of NCC training in nation-building.