Jyoti Ratre (born 1969) is an Indian mountaineer from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. On 29 May 2024, she became the oldest Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, at the age of 55, breaking the previous national record of 53 years.
She climbed Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) in 2021, Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) in 2021, and Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m) in 2023, among other notable peaks.
Early life and background Jyoti Ratre was born in Madhya Pradesh, India. She completed her education in central India, earning degrees in science and economics.
Mountaineering career Ratre developed an interest in mountaineering after a trip to Manali and began training in 2018 at the age of 49. As some mountaineering institutes have age limits, she undertook self-directed training. Her early expeditions included the Sour Tal Trek (3,770 meters) in 2017, the Pin Parvati Pass (5,319 meters) in 2018, and Mahagunas Top (4,276 meters) during the Amarnath Yatra in 2019.
In 2021, Jyoti Ratre climbed Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters) in Europe and Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters) in Africa. She later climbed Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 meters) in Australia. She climbed Island Peak (Imja Tse) in Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park.
Her first attempt to summit Mount Everest was in May 2023, reaching 8,200 meters before turning back due to weather and a teammate's illness. She made a second attempt in May 2024 as part of a 15-member international team led by Bolivian climber David Hugo Ayaviri Quispe. On 19 May 2024, she reached the summit of Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters), becoming the oldest Indian woman to summit the mountain.
Summits +PeakElevation (m)ContinentDate of SummitSour Tal Trek3770Asia (India)8 May 2017Pin Parvati Pass5319Asia (India)30 June 2018Mahagunas Top (Amarnath)4276Asia (India)10 July 2019Deo Tibba5226Asia (India)20 October 2020Norbu Peak5226Asia (India)22 October 2020Mount Elbrus5642Europe (Russia)8 July 2021Mount Kilimanjaro5895Africa (Tanzania)15 August 2021Everest Base Camp5364Asia (Nepal)26 January 2022Satopanth Glacier5800Asia (India)16 August 2022Bermejo Pass3937South America25 December 2022Mount Aconcagua (attempted)6960South America3 January 2023Nagarjuna Hill5100Asia (Nepal)12 April 2023Island Peak (Imja Tse)6100Asia (Nepal)17 April 2023Mount Everest (aborted)8200 (attempted)Asia (Nepal)23 May 2023Mount Kosciuszko2228Australia19 October 2023Mount Everest8849Asia (Nepal)19 May 2024Mount Vinson (High Camp)3780Antarctica29 December 2024
Awards and recognition In 2021, Ratre received the Indian Inspirational Women Award (IIWA) in recognition of her mountaineering achievements. She was also honored with the Madhya Pradesh Ratn Alankaran award by Governor Mangubhai C. Patel. In May 2025, the Bhopal Postal Department issued a commemorative My Stamp in her name, recognizing her contributions to mountaineering, environmental awareness, and tourism. On 11 June 2025, Ratre received the Patrika Tejaswini Award 2025 for her contributions.
See also List of Indian summiters of Mount Everest List of Mount Everest records of India List of Mount Everest records
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