National 23 September 2026
ITBP Scales 24,131-Foot Mt Abi Gamin, Unfurls Tricolour
Why in the News?
A 23-member expedition of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) successfully scaled the 7,355-metre-high (24,131 feet) Mt Abi Gamin in Uttarakhand on September 16, 2026, and unfurled the Indian Tricolour at the summit.
Key Features / Major Points:
Expedition Leadership: The high-altitude expedition was led by ITBP Deputy Commandant Parikshit Shah.
Flag-off: ITBP Director General Shatrujeet Kapur flagged off the team from the ITBP Headquarters in New Delhi on August 7, 2026.
Location of Mt Abi Gamin: Located in the Garhwal Himalayas of the Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, near the India-Tibet border. It forms part of the Kamet massif and lies about 2 km northeast of Mt Kamet.
Historical Significance: The peak was first successfully scaled in 1950 by an Anglo-Swiss expedition team via Tibet.
Static GK Facts:
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): Established - October 24, 1962; Headquarters - New Delhi. (Primary border guarding organization for the India-China border).
Himveers: The popular title given to ITBP personnel for their operations in extreme snowbound high-altitude terrains.
Meade's Col: The high-altitude pass connecting Mt Abi Gamin to Mt Kamet.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: Who led the 23-member ITBP team that scaled Mt Abi Gamin in September 2026?
A: Deputy Commandant Parikshit Shah
Q: In which district of Uttarakhand is Mt Abi Gamin (7,355 m) situated?
A: Chamoli District
Q: In which year was the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) raised?
A: 1962