India Flags-In Mount Everest & Kilimanjaro Expeditions

India celebrates a landmark moment in adventure sports as mountaineering teams scale Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro, highlighting the country’s mountaineering leadership and inclusive spirit, with participation from a Divyangjan mountaineer.

Highlights:

• Expeditions to Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro formally flagged-in by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh on July 17, 2025, in New Delhi.
• Everest expedition commemorated 60 years of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), in collaboration with HMI and JIM&WS.
• Kilimanjaro expedition included a Divyangjan climber and set a world record with the largest national flag at the summit.
• Defence Secretary praised the courage and determination of the teams and emphasised the vision of youth empowerment and adventure promoted by PM Narendra Modi.
• Teams showcased India’s excellence across land, sea, and sky.

In a landmark celebration for India’s adventure sports fraternity, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh officially flagged-in two remarkable mountaineering expeditions to Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro during a ceremony held at South Block, New Delhi, on July 17, 2025.

The Mount Everest expedition commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, and was carried out in collaboration with the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling, and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam. The Kilimanjaro expedition, spearheaded by HMI, stood out for the inspiring participation of Divyangjan mountaineer Shri Uday Kumar, who lives with a 91% above-knee amputation.

While addressing the gathering, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh commended the unwavering grit and determination demonstrated by both teams. “These expeditions are a testament not only to physical endurance but to India’s mountaineering excellence and its leadership in adventure pursuits,” he said. He lauded their achievement as inspirational milestones for aspiring mountaineers and highlighted how such missions reflect the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who promotes youth empowerment, self-reliance, and adventure as core elements of a resilient India.

Shri Singh also acknowledged the critical role played by the four premier mountaineering institutes under the Ministry of Defence—HMI, NIM, JIM&WS, and NIMAS—in nurturing a culture of courage and adventure across the country.

Mount Everest Expedition Details:

The Everest expedition was led by Col Anshuman Bhadauria, Principal of NIM, with Col Hem Chandra Singh serving as Deputy Leader. The team comprised seasoned instructors from the three institutes—Shri Rakesh Singh Rana, Sub Bahadur Pahan, Hav Rajendra Mukhiya, Nk Thupstan Tsewang, and Shri Pasang Tenzing Sherpa. Traversing the challenging Khumbu Valley, the team successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 23, 2025. The objective was to equip instructors with hands-on Everest experience, strengthening their ability to mentor and train the next generation of mountaineers.

Mount Kilimanjaro Expedition Details:

Led by Gp Capt Jai Kishan, Principal of HMI, the Mount Kilimanjaro expedition team comprised Captain Shruti, Sub Mahendra Kumar Yadav, Shri Pawel Sharma, and Miss Sulaxchana Tamang. On August 8, 2024, the team etched their names in history by unfurling the largest national flag atop Africa’s highest peak. Their journey continued with an underwater flag display at a depth of 35 feet in the Indian Ocean near Dar es Salaam, and culminated in the first-ever tandem skydive by a Divyangjan team on African soil — showcasing India’s prowess across land, sea, and air.

These expeditions not only showcased the resilience and capabilities of India’s adventure community but also set new benchmarks in inclusivity, determination, and national pride.