Geeta Samota, a 35-year-old Sub-Inspector with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), has etched her name in history by becoming the first woman from the force to summit Mount Everest on May 19, 2025. Standing at 8,849 meters, the world’s highest peak was no match for her grit and determination. This milestone is part of her ambitious “Seven Summits” challenge, a quest to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents, and it’s a testament to her resilience and the evolving role of women in India’s uniformed services.
Born in Chak village, Sikar district, Rajasthan, Geeta grew up in a modest family with four sisters. In a traditional setting where stories of male achievements dominated, she yearned to create her own legacy. Initially a promising hockey player, a college injury forced her to pivot. Joining the CISF in 2011, she discovered that mountaineering was an untapped field within the force. Seizing the opportunity, she enrolled in a 2015 mountaineering course at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) institute in Auli, where she was the only woman in her batch. By 2017, she completed advanced training, becoming the first CISF officer to do so.
Geeta’s mountaineering journey began in 2019 when she became the first woman from any Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to summit Mount Satopanth (7,075 meters) in Uttarakhand and Mount Lobuche (6,119 meters) in Nepal. Undeterred by the COVID-19 pandemic, she scaled four of the Seven Summits—Mount Kosciuszko (Australia, 2,228 meters), Mount Elbrus (Russia, 5,642 meters), Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania, 5,895 meters), and Mount Aconcagua (Argentina, 6,961 meters)—in just six months and 27 days between 2021 and 2022, earning her the title of the fastest Indian woman to achieve this feat. She also set a national record by climbing five peaks in Ladakh’s Rupshu region in three days.
Her Everest triumph, supported by CISF’s funding and training, including sessions at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering in Manali, marks the pinnacle of her career. Geeta’s philosophy, “Mountains don’t discriminate; only those with the X-factor can conquer them,” resonates deeply, reflecting her belief in equality and perseverance. Her achievement has earned her accolades like the 2023 International Women’s Day Award from the Delhi Commission for Women and the “Giving Wings to Dreams Award” from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Geeta Samota’s story is a beacon of women empowerment, inspiring young girls across India to dream big. The CISF, galvanized by her success, plans to send a full mountaineering team to Everest in 2026. Senior officials, including the CISF Director General, have lauded her as a symbol of national pride and resilience. Her journey from a rural village to the “roof of the world” challenges gender stereotypes and showcases the potential of women in demanding fields.
For aspiring adventurers, Geeta’s path offers valuable lessons: embrace opportunities, persevere through setbacks, and believe in your potential. Her story encourages us to support women empowerment initiatives and celebrate trailblazers who redefine what’s possible. Share Geeta Samota’s inspiring journey on social media with hashtags like #GeetaSamota and #WomenEmpowerment to amplify her message of courage and determination.