Raksha Mantri flags-off NCC’s All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the National Cadet Corps (NCC) All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek, titled Aparajita – Parang La 2026, at New Delhi on 18 August 2026. The expedition includes 28 NCC girl cadets with an average age of 19 years, and the youngest cadet is 16 and a half years old.

Expedition Profile

The trek is a 30-day expedition covering 250 kilometres across remote Himalayan terrain. The team is led by three female officers from the three services of the Indian Armed Forces, and it is supported by officers, instructors, medical staff, and other personnel.

Route and Geography

The route crosses Parang La Pass at an altitude of 5,578 metres, or 18,300 feet. Parang La connects Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh with the Changthang region of Ladakh, and the itinerary includes Kibber, Dumla, Thaltak, Bongrojen, Dak Karzong, Norbu Sumdo, Kiangdom, and Korzok.

NCC and High-Altitude Training

The National Cadet Corps is the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces and functions under the Ministry of Defence. High-altitude treks in the Himalayas are used in cadet training for endurance, acclimatisation, navigation, and team coordination in difficult terrain.

Important Facts for Exams

• Parang La Pass lies in the Trans-Himalayan region and connects Spiti Valley with Changthang.
• Spiti Valley is a cold desert region in Himachal Pradesh.
• Changthang is a high-altitude plateau region in Ladakh.
• The NCC was established in 1948 and operates under the Ministry of Defence.

Women in Armed Forces Training

The expedition is led entirely by female officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The participation of 28 girl cadets places the trek within NCC’s wider training framework for youth leadership and physical endurance.