Pahalgam: In a momentous achievement for India’s mountaineering fraternity, a joint expedition team from three of the country’s premier mountaineering institutes successfully summited the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest (8,848.86m), on May 23, 2025, at 4:09 AM.
The historic ascent was accomplished by a team of elite instructors representing the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam; Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi; and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling. The expedition was flagged off by the Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri Sanjay Seth, from New Delhi on March 26, 2025.
The team was led by Col Anshuman Bhadauria, Principal of NIM Uttarkashi, and Col Hem Chandra Singh, Principal of JIM&WS Pahalgam. Battling freezing temperatures, thin air, and unpredictable weather, the climbers displayed extraordinary resilience and determination to conquer the formidable peak.
As part of their acclimatization process, the team successfully summited Mt. Lobuche (6,119m) in Nepal on April 18, 2025, at 7:58 AM—an early testament to their preparedness and coordination.
The summit team comprised the following accomplished mountaineers: Hav Rajendra Mukhiya (JIM&WS), Rakesh Singh Rana (NIM), Sub Bahadur Pahan (NIM), Pasang Tenzing Sherpa (HMI), Hav Thupstan Tsewang (HMI).
All members have since safely descended to Everest Base Camp and are en route to Kathmandu.
This landmark expedition not only marks a significant milestone in India’s mountaineering history but also underscores the strength of inter-institutional collaboration, meticulous training, and the enduring spirit of Indian adventurers. The success of the joint team reinforces India’s growing stature in global adventure sports and serves as an inspiration for future generations of mountaineers.
