Who was the first Indian to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world under sail?

Commander Abhilash Tomy of the Indian Navy became the first Indian (and the second Asian) to complete a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the world under sail. He sailed the Indian Navy's sailing vessel INSV Mhadei, starting from Mumbai on 1 November 2012 and returning on 31 March 2013, after covering about 23,100 nautical miles in about 150 days without stopping at any port or receiving any help.

He received the Kirti Chakra (India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award) and the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award for this achievement.

Later achievements:

In 2018, he took part in the Golden Globe Race, a solo non-stop round-the-world yacht race in which sailors must use only the technology available in 1968 (no GPS or modern electronics). His boat, the "Thuriya", was badly damaged in a storm in the southern Indian Ocean, and he suffered a serious back injury. He was rescued in a major international operation.

In 2022-23, he took part in the Golden Globe Race again and finished in second place, becoming the first Asian to complete the race.

Before Abhilash Tomy, Commander Dilip Donde became the first Indian to complete a solo circumnavigation of the globe under sail (2009-2010), also aboard INSV Mhadei. However, his voyage was not non-stop; he stopped at four ports (Fremantle, Lyttelton, Port Stanley and Cape Town).

In 2017-18, an all-women crew of the Indian Navy, led by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi, sailed around the world aboard INSV Tarini under the "Navika Sagar Parikrama" expedition. In 2024-25, Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K. and Roopa A. sailed around the world aboard INSV Tarini in the "Navika Sagar Parikrama II".

Why not the other options?

• ✗Dilip Donde was the first Indian solo circumnavigator, but with stops.
• ✗Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian in space (1984).
• ✗Vartika Joshi led the first all-women crew to circumnavigate the globe (INSV Tarini).