In a landmark achievement, Sub-Inspector Geeta Samota of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has successfully scaled Mount Everest, becoming the first officer from the force to reach the summit of the world's highest peak. The 35-year-old mountaineer summited the 8,849-meter (29,032 feet) peak on Monday, May 19, 2025, marking a historic moment for the CISF and the nation.
Geeta's journey to the top of the world is a story of perseverance and determination. Hailing from Chak village in the Sikar district of Rajasthan, she grew up in a traditional family with four sisters. She completed her schooling and college locally and was a promising hockey player. However, an injury forced her to step away from hockey, leading her to a new path.
She joined the CISF in 2011, where she discovered her passion for mountaineering. Recognizing that the CISF did not have a dedicated mountaineering team at the time, she saw an opportunity to pursue her newfound interest. In 2015, Geeta was selected for 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 in the course and went on to complete advanced training in 2017, becoming the first CISF officer to do so.
In 2019, Geeta became the first woman from any Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to scale Mount Satopanth in Uttarakhand and Mount Lobuche in Nepal. Despite a setback in early 2021 when a CISF contingent for a Mount Everest expedition was called off due to technical reasons, Geeta remained undeterred and set her sights on the "Seven Summits" challenge, which involves climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents.
Between 2021 and early 2022, she summited four of these formidable peaks: Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, Mount Elbrus in Russia, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. She achieved this feat in a remarkable span of just six months and 27 days, making her the fastest Indian woman to do so. In addition, Geeta climbed five peaks in the Rupshu region of Ladakh within just three days, with three of them being over 6,000 meters high.
Geeta's successful Everest summit is a testament to her unwavering spirit and the support she received from the CISF. The Director General and all members of the force have extended their congratulations to her. Her achievement serves as an inspiration to the youth of India and brings immense pride to the entire CAPF community. Her victory is not just a mountaineering accomplishment but also a powerful message to young girls and women across the country: "Dream big, work hard, and never give up."
The CISF, with a strength of approximately 2 lakh personnel, plays a crucial role in guarding vital installations in the government and private sectors, including airports, nuclear power plants, and historical monuments. Geeta's historic ascent adds another feather to the cap of this esteemed organization, highlighting the resilience and strength fostered within its ranks.
