Defence Minister Launches NCC’s All‑India Girls High‑Altitude Trek ‘Aparajita‑Parang La 2026’

New Delhi – In a ceremony at the capital on August 18, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially kicked off the National Cadet Corps’ flagship adventure, the All‑India Girls High‑Altitude Long Trek named “Aparajita – Parang La 2026.” The trek, aimed at encouraging young women from across the country to undertake a demanding mountain expedition, will see NCC cadets traverse rugged Himalayan terrain, testing endurance, teamwork and leadership.

The launch underscores the Ministry’s push to promote gender‑inclusive participation in defence‑related outdoor activities and to showcase India’s Himalayan frontiers. Organisers expect participation from dozens of state NCC units, with squads of school‑ and college‑level girls preparing for the high‑altitude challenge over several weeks of training.

For the South‑Asian diaspora, the initiative signals an expanding horizon for Indian youth, especially women, in traditionally male‑dominated adventure and defence spheres. It also highlights the growing emphasis on outdoor education as a tool for empowerment, a narrative resonating with community groups abroad that champion women’s leadership and physical fitness.

The trek, scheduled for 2026, will culminate at the historic Parang La pass, a symbolic conclusion to a journey meant to forge confidence and resilience among the next generation of Indian women.