Meet Lt Col Deepika Rathore: 1st Woman from Rajasthan to Conquer Mount Everest Twice

Lt Col Deepika Rathore stands as a distinguished officer in the Indian Army's Corps of Ordnance and a remarkable mountaineer. She holds the distinction of being the first woman from Rajasthan to summit Mount Everest, achieving this feat not once but twice. Her accomplishments reflect extraordinary perseverance, discipline, and dedication to both military service and high-altitude exploration.

Born in the small village of Bhavadia (also referred to as Bhawadia) in Nagaur district, Rajasthan, Lt Col Rathore grew up in a conservative environment where traditional expectations often limited opportunities for women. Influenced by her grandfather's military service, she developed an early interest in patriotism and adventure. As a National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadet, she participated in the Republic Day Parade in 2002 and represented India in a Youth Exchange Programme in Singapore. An initial attempt at mountaineering training was met with rejection due to being deemed underweight, yet this setback only strengthened her resolve.

She pursued her ambition to serve in the armed forces and was commissioned into the Indian Army in 2011 through the Women Entry Scheme, joining the Army Ordnance Corps as a Captain (later promoted to Major and subsequently to Lieutenant Colonel). She is married to Jitendra Singh Shekhawat, an engineer in the Merchant Navy, and has been recognized with the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for her distinguished service.

Her mountaineering career gained prominence during her posting in the Leh-Ladakh sector. In 2012, she participated in an All-Army Everest Expedition. On May 25, 2012, then-Captain Deepika Rathore, at age 26, reached the summit of Mount Everest (8,848 meters), becoming the first woman from Rajasthan to do so. The expedition, flagged off from Delhi on March 22, followed the Nepal route, with the team overcoming challenges including weather delays before summiting at approximately 5 a.m. and hoisting the Indian Tricolour.

Her second ascent occurred on May 21, 2016 (some sources note May 22), as Major Deepika Rathore. She led or served as a key member in the Indian Army's first NCC girls' Everest expedition, comprising young women cadets aged 19–21 from diverse regions, including Leh, Manipur, Darjeeling, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and Mizoram. The team summited around 10:45 a.m., marking a historic milestone as the first successful NCC girls' expedition to Everest. This achievement made her the first woman officer in the Indian Army—and reportedly the only one at the time—to summit Everest twice.

Beyond Everest, Lt Col Rathore has demonstrated versatility in mountaineering by scaling the highest peaks on three continents:

• Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters, Europe)
• Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters, Africa)
• Mount Aconcagua (6,961 meters, South America)

These expeditions underscore her ability to adapt to varied terrains, climates, and altitudes while maintaining rigorous physical and mental preparation.

Her journey exemplifies breaking barriers in a field demanding exceptional endurance. From overcoming early rejections and societal constraints to inspiring future generations through her service and summits, Lt Col Rathore embodies resilience and leadership. Recent features, including Ministry of Defence initiatives highlighting her as an exemplar of #NariShakti (women's power), continue to celebrate her contributions to the nation and mountaineering.