The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will undertake its first all-women mountaineering expedition to Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, during May–June this year. The initiative aims to promote women’s empowerment while strengthening high-altitude operational capabilities, resilience, and an adventure-driven mindset among women personnel.A 17-member team has been constituted for the expedition, including three male members. Of these, 14 will be part of the climbing team, while three will remain stationed at the Everest Base Camp for administrative support. The ascent will be attempted from the Nepal side, as opposed to the alternate route through Tibet.ITBP officials said the expedition followed a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs to scale Everest annually over the next three years.Although women personnel have previously participated in several mountaineering and adventure activities, the ITBP has conducted only one all-women expedition so far. In September 2025, a 14-member team led by Assistant Commandant Bhanita successfully summited Mount Nun (7,135 metres) in Ladakh. Members of that team form the core of the upcoming Everest expedition.Other Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces have also undertaken all-women adventure initiatives, including global circumnavigation, motor rallies and trekking expeditions.The ITBP has so far conducted five exclusive expeditions to Everest (8,848 metres) in Nepal, near the border with Tibet. Its personnel have also participated in joint expeditions with other forces and organisations.Raised in 1962 and tasked with guarding India’s high-altitude border with China along the Himalayas, the ITBP has carried out over 230 mountaineering expeditions since 1970, including a few international climbs. Of these, 16 peaks exceeded 8,000 metres.As of March 2026, the 80,000-strong force includes 4,522 women constables, known as Himveeranganas. In 2021, the ITBP began inducting women officers in combat roles at the rank of Assistant Commandant. Women also serve in its medical and veterinary cadres.In recent years, women personnel have taken on expanded roles in frontline combat and high-altitude operations, with regular deployments along northern and northeastern borders. They are also engaged in anti-Naxal operations, quick reaction teams, bomb disposal squads and dog units.The force is also setting up 10 all-women border outposts (BOPs) along the Line of Actual Control with China. Additionally, dedicated “mahila barracks” are being established at 32 BOPs, equipped with modern facilities such as insulated rooms and separate living quarters.