National Pride: Joint Indian Mountaineering Team Scales Mount Everest

In a historic feat, a Joint National Mountaineering Team from India comprising instructors from the country’s premier mountaineering institutes — Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) — successfully scaled Mount Everest (8,848.86m) on May 23, 2025. The expedition showcases India’s growing leadership in high-altitude mountaineering and the spirit of adventure, unity, and resilience.

Why in News?

The joint expedition team summited Mount Everest on May 23, 2025, marking a historic collaboration between India’s top mountaineering institutes. The effort was supported by the Ministry of Defence and flagged off by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth on March 26, 2025. The successful mission highlights the strategic and symbolic value of mountaineering as a form of national achievement and institutional synergy.

Aim and Objective

• To promote national integration and institutional collaboration in mountaineering.
• To encourage excellence in adventure sports and demonstrate India’s capability in extreme weather and altitude environments.
• To provide leadership and high-altitude training experience to instructors from India’s top mountaineering schools.

Team Composition

Led by,

• Col Anshuman Bhadauria, Principal of NIM Uttarkashi
• Col Hem Chandra Singh, Principal of JIM&WS Pahalgam

Elite Instructors

• Hav Rajendra Mukhiya (JIM&WS)
• Mr Rakesh Singh Rana (NIM)
• Sub Bahadur Pahan (NIM)
• Mr Pasang Tenzing Sherpa (HMI)
• Hav Thupstan Tsewang (HMI)

Climb Details

• Flag-off Date: March 26, 2025
• Acclimatisation Ascent: Mt. Lobuche (6,119 m) on April 18, 2025
• Final Summit: Mount Everest on May 23, 2025
• Descent: Climbers safely returned to Everest Base Camp and are now en route to Kathmandu

Significance

• Demonstrates India’s strong training and leadership in the field of adventure sports.
• Boosts morale and encourages youth participation in mountaineering and national defense training.
• Strengthens the credibility of Indian mountaineering institutes on global platforms.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	National Pride: Joint Indian Mountaineering Team Scales Mount Everest
Event	Joint Indian Mountaineering Expedition to Mount Everest
Institutes Involved	JIM&WS (Pahalgam), NIM (Uttarkashi), HMI (Darjeeling)
Leaders	Col Anshuman Bhadauria and Col Hem Chandra Singh
Flagged Off By	Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth on March 26, 2025
Acclimatisation Summit	Mt. Lobuche (6,119 m) on April 18, 2025
Final Destination	Mount Everest (8,848.86 m)
Significance	First-ever joint ascent by India’s top mountaineering institutions