NSG 'Black Cats' summit Mt. Everest in 20 days, all 10 return safe
Synopsis
India's NSG — a force built for urban counter-terrorism — just put 10 of its 'Black Cats' on top of the world in 20 days flat. The rapid Everest summit, led by Lt Col Ram Chandra Thapa's team, is one of the more unusual feats in the force's four-decade history, and arrives during a record-breaking season in which Nepal issued a historic 492 Everest permits.
Key Takeaways
10 NSG personnel summited Mount Everest at 3:26 a.m. on 24 May 2025 , according to expedition organiser Seven Summit Treks .
The team completed the climb in just 20 days after departing Kathmandu — a compressed timeline for an Everest expedition.
Of the 16-member expedition , 12 attempted the summit ; 10 succeeded and all have safely returned to Everest Base Camp .
The expedition was commanded by Lt Col Ram Chandra Thapa and flagged off by NSG DG Brighu Srinivasan .
Nepal issued a record 492 Everest permits this spring season; 61 Indian climbers had permits as of 15 May .
The team also ran a medical camp and conducted garbage clean-up at Everest Base Camp.
A 10-member team from India's elite National Security Guard (NSG), popularly known as the 'Black Cats', successfully summited Mount Everest at 3:26 a.m. on Saturday, 24 May 2025, according to expedition organiser Seven Summit Treks. The team completed the ascent in just 20 days after departing Kathmandu — a notably compressed timeline for an Everest expedition.
Who Reached the Summit
Of the 16-member NSG Everest Expedition 2026, 12 members attempted the final push to the top, but 10 successfully reached the summit. Those who summited include Major Akhilesh Bhatt, Bavinder Singh, Bhoopendra Singh, Pankaj Singh Dosad, Rahul Singh, Ravinder Singh, Satish Kumar, Sonu, Sulinder Singh, and Suresh Kumar. All members descended safely and arrived at Everest Base Camp by evening, according to expedition officials.
Expedition Leadership and Command
The expedition was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ram Chandra Thapa, with Major Akhilesh Bhatt serving as climbing leader. Veteran mountaineer Mingma Thinduk Sherpa led the Sherpa support team as expedition sirdar. A contingent of 16 Nepali Sherpa guides provided critical high-altitude support throughout the climb.
The expedition was flagged off by NSG Director General Brighu Srinivasan of the Indian Police Service (IPS). Beyond the summit push, the team also ran a medical camp at Everest Base Camp and participated in garbage clean-up efforts on the mountain.
What Made This Expedition Significant
According to Seven Summit Treks, the rapid 20-day ascent represents a significant achievement in high-altitude mountaineering, reflecting the NSG's hallmark discipline and endurance. The company noted that the expedition embodied the force's motto, 'Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha' (Best Security Everywhere). Notably, the climb also highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Nepali Sherpas and Indian climbers, serving as a symbol of bilateral friendship between Nepal and India.
Established in 1984, the NSG is India's premier counter-terrorism and rapid-response force — an organisation better known for urban hostage rescue than Himalayan summits, making this achievement all the more striking.
Broader Everest Season Context
The NSG summit comes during a record-breaking Everest season. Nepal has issued permits to 492 foreign climbers for Everest this spring — the highest number ever recorded for a single spring season, according to the Department of Tourism. As of 15 May, a total of 61 Indian climbers had received permits to attempt the peak. Despite flight disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict involving the US and Iran, and a rise in Nepal's royalty fees, global demand for Everest permits remains at an all-time high.
Point of View
With no reported casualties, speaks to a serious investment in high-altitude training that rarely makes headlines. What the story also surfaces, quietly, is the record 492 permits Nepal has issued this season: Everest is becoming increasingly crowded, and the logistical and safety implications of that commercialisation deserve scrutiny that celebratory expedition dispatches seldom provide.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NSG members summited Mount Everest in 2025?
The 10 NSG personnel who reached the summit are Major Akhilesh Bhatt, Bavinder Singh, Bhoopendra Singh, Pankaj Singh Dosad, Rahul Singh, Ravinder Singh, Satish Kumar, Sonu, Sulinder Singh, and Suresh Kumar. They summited at 3:26 a.m. on 24 May 2025, according to Seven Summit Treks.
How long did the NSG Everest expedition take?
The NSG team completed the expedition in just 20 days after departing Kathmandu, which is considered a relatively short timeframe for an Everest ascent. All summiteers descended safely to Everest Base Camp by the evening of the same day.
Who commanded the NSG Everest Expedition 2026?
The expedition was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ram Chandra Thapa. Major Akhilesh Bhatt served as climbing leader, and veteran mountaineer Mingma Thinduk Sherpa led the 16-member Nepali Sherpa support team as expedition sirdar.
What is the NSG and why is this Everest summit significant?
The National Security Guard (NSG), established in 1984, is India's premier counter-terrorism and rapid-response force, known as the 'Black Cats'. Their successful Everest summit in a 20-day window is significant because it demonstrates high-altitude endurance capabilities beyond the force's conventional urban-warfare role.
How many Everest permits has Nepal issued this season?
Nepal issued a record 492 permits to foreign climbers for the 2025 spring Everest season — the highest number ever recorded for a single spring season, according to the Department of Tourism. Of these, 61 permits had been granted to Indian climbers as of 15 May.
