In a remarkable achievement, Sub-Inspector Geeta Samota of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has made history by becoming the first woman from the force to successfully conquer Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet). This monumental feat, accomplished on May 19, 2025, is a significant milestone in the 56-year history of the CISF and highlights the resilience and determination characteristic of its personnel.
Hailing from Chak village in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, Samota completed her daunting expedition in an impressive timeframe of six months and 27 days. Her ascent not only marks a personal victory but also serves as a groundbreaking achievement for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), as she proudly raised the Indian tricolor at the summit, embodying perseverance and national pride.
Before embarking on her mountaineering journey, Samota was a dedicated hockey player whose aspirations in sports were curtailed by injury. She joined the CISF in 2011, where she discovered a newfound passion for mountaineering. Her formal training began in 2015 at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) institute in Auli, where she stood out as the only woman in her cohort. By 2017, she had successfully completed an advanced mountaineering course, becoming the first CISF member to achieve this milestone. Her adventures in the mountains accelerated in 2019 when she became the initial CAPF woman to scale Mount Satopanth (7,075 meters) in Uttarakhand and Mount Lobuche (6,119 meters) in Nepal.
Samota’s ambitions extended beyond her early achievements. She aimed for the prestigious “Seven Summits” challenge, which involves climbing the highest peaks on each continent. Between 2021 and 2022, she summited four of these iconic mountains: Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 meters) in Australia, Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters) in Russia, Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters) in Tanzania, and Mount Aconcagua (6,961 meters) in Argentina. Achieving all four within a record-breaking span of six months and 27 days, Samota became the fastest Indian woman to complete this daunting challenge.
Her expedition to Everest was backed by the CISF, which facilitated financial support and training opportunities, including vital acclimatization during the winter months at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) in Manali. Reflecting on her success, Samota shared, “Mountains are great levellers. They don’t care about your gender. Only those with that X-factor can conquer those heights.” This statement encapsulates her groundbreaking journey, challenging prevailing stereotypes and demonstrating that women can thrive in even the most demanding arenas.
In recognition of her pioneering efforts, Samota has received several accolades, including the International Women’s Day Award 2023 from the Delhi Commission for Women and the “Giving Wings to Dreams Award 2023” from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Inspired by her achievements, the CISF has announced plans for its inaugural full in-house mountaineering team expedition to Everest in 2026, aiming to carry forward her legacy.
Geeta Samota’s journey from rural Rajasthan to the pinnacle of the world serves as a powerful testament to perseverance, courage, and the importance of dreaming big. Her inspiring message to young girls is unequivocal: “Dream big, work hard, and never give up.”
