Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on 5 February 2026 flagged off a prestigious Indian mountaineering expedition to Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak in South America. The joint mission is being undertaken by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS). The expedition reflects India’s growing focus on adventure training, physical endurance and leadership development. It also strengthens India’s presence in global high-altitude mountaineering.
Mount Aconcagua Expedition 2026
- The expedition gained national attention after it was formally flagged off from South Block, New Delhi by Rajnath Singh.
- Mount Aconcagua, standing at 6,961 metres, is the highest mountain outside Asia.
- Scaling this peak is considered a major global mountaineering challenge.
- The mission showcases India’s advanced training ecosystem in adventure sports and highlights the strategic importance of mountaineering skills for youth and defence preparedness.
Who Is Leading the Mission: NIM and JIM&WS
- The expedition is a joint effort of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports.
- These premier institutes train civilians, armed forces personnel and adventure enthusiasts in high-altitude skills.
- Their instructors are known for expertise in snowcraft, survival and leadership.
- This collaboration reflects coordinated national capacity-building and reinforces India’s reputation in professional mountaineering training.
What Rajnath Singh Said About the Expedition
- While flagging off the team, Rajnath Singh described mountaineering as more than physical strength.
- He stressed that endurance, leadership, teamwork and mental resilience define India’s finest mountaineers.
- He expressed confidence that the team would successfully summit the peak and make the nation proud.
- According to him, such expeditions build character, courage and discipline, which are essential qualities for youth and armed forces personnel alike.
Meet the Six-Member Elite Team of Mount Aconcagua Expedition
The expedition team consists of six highly trained instructors,
- Col Hem Chandra Singh, Capt G Santhosh Kumar, Deep Bahadur Sahi, Vinod Gusain, Nb Sub Bhupinder Singh and Hav Ramesh Kumar.
- The journey begins on 6 February 2026 and is expected to conclude by the end of the month.
- Each member brings years of experience in high-altitude expeditions, snow operations and survival training, ensuring safety and success during the climb.
Static Facts
- Location: Principal Cordillera, Andes mountain range, Argentina
- Height: 6,962 metres – highest peak in South America and outside Asia
- Origin: Volcanic, but currently not active
- Significance: Tallest mountain in the Western Hemisphere
Question
Q. Mount Aconcagua is located in which country?
A. Chile
B. Peru
C. Argentina
D. Bolivia