CISF's Geeta Samota scales Mount Everest, force hails her as symbol of courage and determination

First Post

20-05-2025

In a remarkable display of endurance, CISF Lady Sub-Inspector Geeta Samota scaled Mount Everest on 19 May 2025, marking a personal triumph and a proud moment for the force and the nation. read more
In a remarkable feat of endurance and determination, Lady Sub-Inspector (L/SI) Geeta Samota of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has successfully scaled Mount Everest, the world's highest peak at 8,849 metres (29,032 feet). Geeta reached the summit on the early morning of 19 May 2025, achieving a dream that reflects not just personal victory, but national pride and the strength of the CISF.
Geeta's journey began in Chak village in Rajasthan's Sikar district, where she was raised in a traditional family with four sisters. Growing up, she often heard tales of boys' accomplishments but there was a lack of stories celebrating girls' achievements. This absence sparked a quiet determination in her to break barriers.
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An avid sportswoman, Geeta was a promising hockey player in college until an injury forced her to step back. This setback opened a new path, and in 2011, she joined the CISF. Inspired to explore mountaineering, a field with little representation in the force at the time, Geeta saw it as an opportunity to forge a unique path.
In 2015, she was selected for a basic mountaineering course at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police training centre in Auli. She was the only female in her batch and later completed an advanced mountaineering course in 2017, becoming the only CISF personnel to do so.
Her training laid the foundation for several mountaineering successes. In 2019, she became the first woman from any Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to scale Mount Satopanth (7,075 m) in Uttarakhand and Mount Lobuche (6,119 m) in Nepal.
Though her first Everest expedition with a CAPF team in 2021 was cancelled, Geeta was undeterred. Instead, she set her sights on the 'Seven Summits' challenge—climbing the highest peak on each continent. Between 2021 and early 2022, she conquered four peaks: Mount Kosciuszko (Australia), Mount Elbrus (Russia), Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), and Mount Aconcagua (Argentina)—completing them in just six months and 27 days, making her the fastest Indian woman to do so.
She also set another record by climbing five peaks in Ladakh's Rupshu region in just three days—three over 6,000 metres and two over 5,000 metres.
On May 19, 2025, Geeta achieved the most ambitious challenge of her mountaineering career, successfully scaling Mount Everest, a mission resonating with courage, unwavering commitment, and profound national pride.
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Speaking about her journey, Geeta said, 'Mountains are a great leveller. It doesn't discriminate you on the grounds of your gender. Only the few ones who have that X-Factor can conquer those mighty heights.'
Geeta's achievements have been widely recognised. She received 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.
Geeta has not only conquered mountains but has also shattered gender stereotypes, proving that women can excel in the most demanding fields.
The CISF has been a constant source of support, offering opportunities, funding, and training—such as her winter acclimatisation at ABVIMAS in Manali.
Her success has inspired the CISF to plan a full Mount Everest expedition team for 2026. The CISF Director General and all ranks have extended heartfelt congratulations to L/SI Geeta Samota, whose journey serves as a powerful message to India's youth, especially girls, to dream big, work hard, and never give up.
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