20 NCC Girl Cadets Complete Challenging Parang La Trek in Ladakh

New Delhi, September 16, 2026: Twenty NCC girl cadets from across India have successfully completed the challenging ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’ high-altitude long trek, covering nearly 250 kilometres across some of the most demanding terrain of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.

The expedition was formally flagged-in at Karzok, Ladakh, on September 16 by Director General NCC Lt Gen Virendra Vats and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dipti Mohil Chawla. The cadets traversed the 5,578-metre Parang La Pass, which connects Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley with the Changthang region of Ladakh.

The 30-day expedition began from Kibber in Himachal Pradesh and concluded at Karzok in Ladakh. The route exposed the cadets to glaciers, snowfields, river valleys and other difficult high-altitude conditions.

The trek was flagged off from New Delhi by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 18, 2026. The cadets were accompanied throughout the expedition by NCC officers, instructors, medical personnel and other support staff.

Congratulating the participants on completing the demanding trek, Lt Gen Virendra Vats said such adventure activities help young people develop leadership, confidence, teamwork and endurance.

The expedition was also aimed at encouraging greater participation of young women in adventure activities and giving them practical exposure to challenging mountain environments.

Bringing together cadets selected from different parts of the country, the expedition further sought to promote national integration and camaraderie among India’s youth.

The successful completion of the Parang La trek marks another significant achievement for the NCC’s adventure training initiatives and highlights the growing participation of young women in challenging outdoor and high-altitude activities.