All-women mountaineering teams from India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) successfully summited Mount Everest on May 21, 2023 [3].
The dual achievement marks the first time either paramilitary force has fielded an all-women expedition to reach the peak. These climbs serve as a high-profile demonstration of "Nari Shakti," or women's power, within India's security apparatus.
The ITBP team reached the summit of the 8,848-metre mountain [2] via the South Col route [2]. A total of 11 climbers from the ITBP expedition successfully reached the top [1]. The BSF team also achieved the summit, coinciding with celebrations for the force's Diamond Jubilee [2].
Both organizations utilized the expeditions to showcase the strength and determination of their female personnel [2]. The missions required navigating the extreme altitudes and technical challenges of the South Col route to reach the highest point on Earth [2].
By sending these teams, the BSF and ITBP aimed to break traditional barriers in mountaineering and security roles. The simultaneous success of both teams underscores a coordinated effort to promote gender inclusivity in high-risk, high-endurance environments.
“Both teams successfully summited Mount Everest, marking the first all-women expeditions for each force”
These summits represent a strategic shift in how India's paramilitary forces project institutional image and gender capability. By successfully scaling Mount Everest, the BSF and ITBP are transitioning from traditional security roles to demonstrating elite physical endurance, which may influence future recruitment and the integration of women into specialized high-altitude warfare and rescue operations.
