New Delhi, Dec. 28 -- The government on December 26 conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 on young mountaineer Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti, recognising his extraordinary achievement of completing the prestigious Seven Summits Challenge at just 16 years of age.

President Droupadi Murmu presented the national honour on the occasion of Veer Baal Diwas, which commemorates the martyrdom of the sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is awarded annually to children below the age of 18 for exceptional accomplishments across six categories--Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art and Culture and Science and Technology. Karthikey was honoured for his remarkable feat in mountaineering, ...