In a historic display of courage, perseverance, and national pride, Lady Sub-Inspector (L/SI) Geeta Samota of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has become the first officer from the force to summit Mount Everest — the world's highest peak at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet).
On the morning of May 19, 2025, Geeta stood atop the "roof of the world," marking a landmark moment not only for the CISF but also for Indian women in uniform. Her extraordinary achievement highlights the indomitable spirit fostered within the force and underscores the growing presence of women in elite and challenging arenas.
A Journey From Rural Roots to the World’s Highest Peak
Hailing from Chak village in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, Geeta was raised in a modest family alongside her four sisters. She completed her education locally and grew up noticing a lack of stories about female achievers, a void that quietly ignited her own ambitions.
A promising hockey player during her college years, an injury redirected her path away from sports. However, fate had bigger plans. In 2011, she joined the CISF, where she discovered mountaineering — a largely untapped avenue within the force at the time.
In 2015, Geeta took a decisive step toward her new calling by enrolling in a basic mountaineering course at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) training institute in Auli, where she was the only woman in her batch. She excelled and later completed the advanced course in 2017, becoming the only CISF personnel to do so. This laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable mountaineering career.
Breaking Barriers and Setting Records
Geeta’s perseverance first bore fruit in 2019 when she became the first woman from any Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to scale both Mount Satopanth (7,075 m) in Uttarakhand and Mount Lobuche (6,119 m) in Nepal. Though a planned Everest expedition in 2021 was canceled due to technical reasons, the setback only intensified her resolve.
She pivoted towards the “Seven Summits” challenge — a grueling endeavor to climb the highest peaks on each continent. Undeterred by the pandemic, Geeta completed four of these between 2021 and early 2022:
Mount Kosciuszko (Australia, 2,228 m)
Mount Elbrus (Russia, 5,642 m)
Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania, 5,895 m)
Mount Aconcagua (Argentina, 6,961 m)
She achieved this in a remarkable six months and 27 days, becoming the fastest Indian woman to do so. Adding to her laurels, she also became the first and fastest woman to scale five peaks in Ladakh’s Rupshu region in just three days, including three over 6,000 meters.
Everest: A Dream Realized
Geeta’s Everest summit is the crowning achievement of her mountaineering journey. From rigorous training, including winter acclimatization at ABVIMAS in Manali, to her relentless pursuit of excellence, this mission reflects her grit and resolve.
Her philosophy is as inspiring as her feats. “Mountains are great levellers. They don’t discriminate based on gender. Only those with the X-factor can conquer such heights,” she says.
Recognitions and Future Plans
For her outstanding accomplishments, Geeta has received several accolades, including the International Women's Day 2023 Award from the Delhi Commission for Women and the "Giving Wings to Dreams Award 2023" from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The CISF has played a crucial role in supporting her journey — from financial backing to logistical support — and is now planning to send a full CISF Mountaineering Team to Everest in 2026, inspired by Geeta’s success.
The Director General and all ranks of the CISF have extended their heartfelt congratulations to L/SI Geeta Samota. Her journey is a beacon of inspiration for the youth of India and a proud milestone for the entire CAPF fraternity.
A Message to Young Girls
Geeta’s message is clear and powerful: “Dream big, work hard, and never give up.”
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