Arpita Patra, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the summit of Ojos del Salado, the tallest volcano on Earth. Rising to about 6,893 metres in the Andes along the border of Chile and Argentina, the peak is known for its harsh weather and extreme altitude. Patra reached the summit on March 6, 2026, becoming the second Indian woman to accomplish this challenging climb. Her achievement highlights the spirit of exploration among Indian scientists and demonstrates how determination, preparation, and passion can lead to extraordinary accomplishments beyond academia.
IISc Professor Arpita Patra Reaches the World’s Highest Volcano
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Arpita Patra serves as a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and Automation at the Indian Institute of Science, one of India’s leading research universities. Alongside her academic work in cryptography and computer science, she actively pursues high-altitude mountaineering.
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She successfully summited Ojos del Salado on 6 March 2026, reaching an elevation of 6,893 metres (22,615 feet). This achievement made her the second Indian woman known to have reached the top of the world’s highest volcanic peak.
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Ojos del Salado is located in the Andes and straddles the international border between Chile and Argentina. It is also recognised as the second-highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere, after Aconcagua.
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The volcano is located in the Atacama Desert region, one of the driest places on Earth. Climbers must face extreme altitude, freezing temperatures, strong winds, and limited oxygen during the expedition.
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The final stretch of the climb is technically demanding. Mountaineers must navigate steep terrain and complete a short but difficult rock-climbing section near the summit, making the ascent more complex than many other high peaks.
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High-altitude expeditions like this require careful acclimatisation. Climbers typically spend several days moving between base camps and higher camps so that their bodies adjust to reduced oxygen levels.
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This summit marks the highest altitude Patra has reached to date in her mountaineering journey and is a major milestone in her adventure pursuits.
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Before this expedition, she had already climbed several famous volcanic mountains, including Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Elbrus in Russia, Mount Giluwe in Papua New Guinea, and Pico de Orizaba in Mexico.
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Through these climbs, Patra is progressing toward completing the Volcanic Seven Summits challenge, which involves scaling the highest volcano on each continent.
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Her accomplishment has drawn attention to the growing involvement of Indian scientists and women explorers in global mountaineering, inspiring students, researchers, and adventure enthusiasts nationwide.
Asked Previous Year Questions on Volcanoes
| Exam | Year | Question (with Options) | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC Civil Services Prelims | 2018 | Consider the following statements about the volcano Barren Island: 1. It is an active volcano in Indian territory. 2. It lies in the Andaman Sea. 3. It last erupted in 1991 and has remained inactive since then.Options: (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 2 and 3 only (C) 1 only (D) 1, 2 and 3 |
A. 1 and 2 only |
| SSC Junior Engineer | 2018 | Which of the following is considered the largest volcano on Earth?
Options: |
C. Tamu Massif |
| SSC CGL | 2017 | Molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface is called:
Options: |
B. Magma |
| SSC CHSL | 2016 | When molten rock reaches the Earth’s surface, it is called:
Options: |
A. Lava |
| State PSC | 2020 | Which of the following is the only active volcano in India?
Options: |
B. Barren Island |
| UPSC | 2013 | Which of the following mountains is actually a volcano?
Options: |
A. Mount Kilimanjaro |
| SSC Exams | 2015 | The Ring of Fire is mainly associated with which ocean?
Options: |
B. Pacific Ocean |
| State PSC | 2021 | Which of the following volcanoes is located in Japan?
Options: |
A. Mount Fuji |
| State PSC | 2022 | Which of the following volcanoes is located in Italy?
Options: |
B. Mount Etna |
| RRB Railway | 2025 | Which is the highest volcano in the world?
Options: |
C. Ojos del Salado |
Indian Railways Launch ‘SHINE’ to Empower Women at Workplace
Conclusion (Arpita Patra Reaches Top of Ojos del Salado)
The successful ascent of Ojos del Salado by Arpita Patra marks an inspiring achievement for both the academic and mountaineering communities. As a professor at the Indian Institute of Science, she has achieved extraordinary milestones through dedication, courage, and perseverance. Her journey encourages students, researchers, and adventure enthusiasts to pursue ambitious goals and explore possibilities beyond traditional academic boundaries.
