THE AMAN SANDESH TIMES
New Delhi :
Demonstrating exceptional endurance, unwavering determination, and indomitable courage, Sub-Inspector Geeta Samota of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has etched her name in history by successfully summiting 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”—an achievement that not only marked a personal milestone but also symbolized the strength of CISF and the spirit of the Indian nation.
Hailing from the small village of Chak in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, Geeta’s inspiring journey began in a humble rural setting. Born into a modest family with four sisters, she completed her education in local institutions. From a young age, she often heard stories celebrating the achievements of boys, but rarely those of girls—a gap that ignited a fierce desire in her to carve out a unique identity. A passionate athlete during her college years, Geeta was a promising hockey player until a serious injury abruptly ended her sports career. However, that setback unknowingly redirected her path toward a remarkable new pursuit.
In 2011, Geeta joined the CISF. Early in her service, she noticed that mountaineering was an area largely unexplored within the force, with no dedicated mountaineering team at the time. Viewing this as an opportunity rather than a limitation, she took a bold step in 2015 by enrolling in a six-week basic mountaineering course at the ITBP Training Institute in Auli. Notably, she was the only woman in her batch. Her outstanding performance during the course not only strengthened her confidence but also ignited a lifelong passion for mountaineering. She later completed the advanced mountaineering training in 2017—becoming the first and only CISF personnel to do so.
Geeta’s relentless pursuit of excellence led to another milestone in 2019, when she became the first woman from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to successfully climb Mount Satopanth (7,075 meters) in Uttarakhand and Mount Lobuche (6,119 meters) in Nepal. Although a planned Everest expedition in 2021 with the CAPF was cancelled due to technical issues, Geeta transformed the disappointment into fresh motivation, setting her sights on the ambitious “Seven Summits” challenge—conquering the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.
Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, she remained steadfast in her mission. Between 2021 and early 2022, Geeta successfully scaled four formidable peaks as part of the Seven Summits: Mount Kosciuszko in Australia (2,228 meters), Mount Elbrus in Russia (5,642 meters), Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (5,895 meters), and Mount Aconcagua in Argentina (6,961 meters). She achieved this remarkable feat in just six months and 27 days, becoming the fastest Indian woman to reach this stage of the challenge.
Her record-breaking journey continued in Ladakh’s Rupshu region, where she climbed five peaks—three above 6,000 meters and two above 5,000 meters—within just three days. This extraordinary accomplishment made her the first and fastest woman mountaineer to achieve such a feat in the region, reflecting not just her physical endurance but her deep sense of national pride and commitment.
In recognition of her exceptional achievements, Geeta Samota has received several prestigious honors, 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. Her perspective is as empowering as her climbs. “The mountains treat everyone the same—they don’t discriminate based on gender. Only those with a certain ‘X-factor’ can conquer them,” she says. Her mindset serves as a powerful message of gender equality and resilience to future generations.
The CISF has played a pivotal role in supporting her aspirations—offering opportunities, resources, and training to pursue high-altitude expeditions. The force facilitated her winter acclimatization training at ABVIMAS, Manali, and backed her historic Everest mission.
Geeta Samota has not only scaled physical peaks but also shattered societal barriers and stereotypes that often limit women’s roles. Her message to young girls is both simple and profound: “Dream big, work hard, and never give up.” Her historic feat is a testament to what perseverance, vision, and courage can achieve.
Inspired by her success, the CISF is now planning to launch a dedicated mountaineering team to attempt Mount Everest in 2026—an initiative that will symbolize courage, commitment, and institutional confidence.
The Director General of CISF and all officers and personnel have extended their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Sub-Inspector Geeta Samota. Her extraordinary journey is not only a source of pride for the Indian youth but also a shining moment for the entire CAPF fraternity.
