Who was the first woman in the world to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest?

Introduction / Context:
Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, has been a symbol of human endurance and adventure. Many general knowledge questions focus on 'firsts' related to Everest, such as the first man, first Indian, and first woman to reach the summit. This question asks about the first woman in the world to successfully climb Mount Everest, a landmark achievement in mountaineering history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

We are given:
- Names of several well-known mountaineers, both Indian and foreign.
- The question clearly asks for the first woman in the world to summit Everest.

Concept / Approach:
The key is to distinguish between global and Indian achievements. Junko Tabei from Japan became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1975. Bachendri Pal and Santosh Yadav are famous Indian women mountaineers associated with Everest, but they achieved their feats later and in the Indian context.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall famous names in women's mountaineering history.
Step 2: Distinguish between the first woman in the world and the first Indian woman.
Step 3: Remember that Junko Tabei, a Japanese mountaineer, summited Everest in 1975, becoming the first woman in the world to do so.
Step 4: Note that Bachendri Pal is the first Indian woman to climb Everest (1984), not the first in the world.
Step 5: Therefore, select 'Junko Tabei' as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Mountaineering records, books, and reliable online sources on Everest expeditions all confirm that Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit. She has been widely honoured and her achievement is part of standard GK for exams related to sports and adventure.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Santosh Yadav: A celebrated Indian climber and the first woman in the world to climb Everest twice, but not the first woman overall.
- Sungdare Sherpa: A famous mountaineer from Nepal, but not the first woman to climb Everest.
- Lhakpa Sherpa: Another accomplished female climber with multiple Everest summits, but not the first woman in history.
- Bachendri Pal: The first Indian woman to climb Everest, not the first woman in the world.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students confuse 'first Indian woman' with 'first woman in the world' because Bachendri Pal is heavily emphasised in Indian textbooks. Always read the wording of the question carefully. If it says 'in the world', look for the global record holder (Junko Tabei). If it emphasises 'Indian', then Bachendri Pal is the key name to remember.

Final Answer:
Correct option: Junko Tabei