Nepal will seek international recognition for six more peaks above 8,000 metres at the 2026 General Assembly of the UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation), which is being held in Kathmandu. Minister Khadga Raj Paudel announced the plan (reported 30 October 2026). Nepal’s own official list was raised to 14 in February 2025; if these six are approved, the count would reach 20.
The six peaks proposed
| Peak | Height |
|---|---|
| Yalung Kang | 8,505 m |
| Kangchenjunga South | 8,476 m |
| Kangchenjunga Central | 8,473 m |
| Lhotse Central | 8,410 m |
| Lhotse Shar | 8,400 m |
| Yalung Kang West | 8,077 m |
All six are subsidiary summits on the Kangchenjunga and Lhotse massifs. Many climbers and experts argue they are not separate mountains, so international recognition is not certain.
Nepal’s eight main 8,000 m mountains
- Sagarmatha (Everest) – 8,848.86 m
- Kangchenjunga – 8,586 m
- Lhotse – 8,516 m
- Makalu – 8,485 m
- Cho Oyu – 8,188 m
- Dhaulagiri I – 8,167 m
- Manaslu – 8,163 m
- Annapurna I – 8,091 m
Of the world’s 14 widely recognised 8,000 m mountains, 8 are in Nepal. The UIAA was founded in 1932 and has its headquarters in Bern, Switzerland; the Nepal Mountaineering Association is hosting the 2026 assembly.
Practice MCQs
1. Which is the highest of the six peaks Nepal wants recognised?
a) Lhotse Shar b) Yalung Kang c) Kangchenjunga Central d) Yalung Kang West
Answer: b) Yalung Kang (8,505 m)
2. UIAA, which recognises mountaineering standards, has its headquarters in:
a) Geneva b) Paris c) Bern d) Kathmandu
Answer: c) Bern
3. How many of the world’s 14 widely recognised 8,000 m mountains are in Nepal?
a) 6 b) 8 c) 10 d) 14
Answer: b) 8
4. Which is the lowest of Nepal’s eight main 8,000 m mountains?
a) Manaslu b) Dhaulagiri I c) Annapurna I d) Cho Oyu
Answer: c) Annapurna I (8,091 m)
Related
Sources: Nepal News (30 Oct 2026); The Kathmandu Post (1 Feb 2025); The Himalayan Times (NMA to host 2026 UIAA General Assembly); Explorersweb.
Why this matters for Lok Sewa
- Mountain facts (heights, ranges, first ascents) are common GK MCQs at every level. See Mountains and Himalayan peaks of Nepal.
- The UIAA question shows how Nepal uses tourism diplomacy; it can appear in tourism and economy questions.
Quick practice questions
- How many 8,000 m peaks are on Nepal’s own official list since February 2025? Answer: 14.
- Which body is Nepal asking to recognise six more 8,000 m peaks? Answer: The UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation).
- What is the height of Sagarmatha? Answer: 8,848.86 m.