Bachendri Pal
Explanation
Mountaineering expeditions to Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, have witnessed significant historical milestones achieved by various climbers. The distinction of being the first Indian woman to summit the peak is a specific factual record within Indian mountaineering history.
- Junko Tabei is incorrect: Junko Tabei, a Japanese mountaineer, was the first woman in the world to reach the summit of Mount Everest. She achieved this feat on May 16, 1975.
- Bachendri Pal is correct: Bachendri Pal was the first Indian woman to scale Mount Everest. She reached the summit on May 23, 1984, as part of India's fourth expedition to Everest.
- Santosh Yadav is incorrect: Santosh Yadav is a distinguished Indian mountaineer known for being the first woman in the world to scale Mount Everest twice (in May 1992 and May 1993). She was not the first Indian woman to scale it once.
- Arunima Sinha is incorrect: Arunima Sinha is the first female amputee to scale Mount Everest. She achieved this milestone in 2013.
Key Takeaway: Bachendri Pal is the first Indian woman to summit Mount Everest (1984), while Junko Tabei holds the record for being the first woman globally to achieve this feat.