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The Indian ExpressMay 14, 2026

Close cervical cancer gap in India, focus on prevention, equity

A modelling study in The Lancet has estimated that India can prevent more than 10 million cervical cancer cases over the next century if it achieves the WHO’s targets on HPV vaccination — 90 per cent of girls to be vaccinated by age 15; 70 per cent of women to be screened at ages 30 and above; and 90 per cent of patients to receive treatment. The scale of that possibility is extraordinary. But so is the scale of the challenge. India accounts for one of the world’s heaviest cervical-cancer burdens, with more than 1.2 lakh new cases and roughly 80,000 deaths each year. Cervical cancer is among the most preventable forms of the disease, yet for many women — especially those in rural districts, poorer households and socially marginalised communities — access to early screening, reliable diagnosis, treatment that is not prohibitively expensive and preventive vaccination remain a distant reality.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was first introduced in India in 2008, but its uptake remained limited due to safety concerns, patchy information dissemination, logistical gaps and sociocultural barriers. Nearly two decades later, in February this year, an HPV vaccination programme for adolescent girls was launched, but participation has been uneven. Screening rates, too, remain distressingly low: Only around 2 per cent of eligible women undergo regular testing. Disparities within India are stark.Tamil Naduhas achieved screening rates above 10 per cent, while Assam and West Bengal register figures as low as 0.2 per cent. The outcome is a disease that disproportionately punishes the vulnerable.

The ongoing vaccination drive places India among a handful of countries that include the HPV vaccine in their national immunisation programmes. Experts have also proposed integrating HPV nucleic acid testing into the National Essential Diagnostics List to expand the reach and accuracy of screening beyond urban centres. With targeted outreach, these can narrow the inequity, offering India a rare opportunity to reduce one of its most preventable cancer burdens.

Key GK Takeaways for CLAT
  • 1The state's constitutional obligation to ensure public health, particularly for vulnerable sections, stems from Article 21's Right to Life and Directive Principles like Article 47. Disparities in vaccination and screening rates across states highlight challenges within India's federal structure, where health remains a state subject, leading to uneven implementation of national programs. Effective governance demands robust centre-state coordination, equitable resource allocation, and targeted outreach to overcome socio-cultural barriers, thereby fulfilling the promise of accessible healthcare as a fundamental right for all citizens.
  • 2India's commitment to WHO targets and the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in its national immunisation program position it as a significant contributor to global health initiatives, demonstrating its alignment with international public health goals. This domestic policy decision, however, faces substantial implementation hurdles, including overcoming widespread vaccine hesitancy and ensuring equitable distribution across its vast and diverse population. Successfully achieving these ambitious targets would not only benefit India's citizens immensely but also set a crucial precedent for other developing nations grappling with similar public health challenges.
  • 3The historically limited and uneven uptake of the HPV vaccine since its 2008 introduction underscores the critical need for robust public health policies and effective regulatory frameworks in India. The proposal to integrate HPV nucleic acid testing into the National Essential Diagnostics List represents a vital policy step that would standardize and expand access to accurate screening, potentially making it a routine part of healthcare. Such proactive policy interventions, backed by legislative support, are crucial for transforming healthcare access from a privilege into an enforceable right, especially for marginalized communities.
  • 4The disproportionate burden of cervical cancer on India's rural, poor, and marginalized populations starkly highlights deep-seated socio-economic inequalities, where lack of awareness and financial constraints limit access to preventive care and affordable treatment. Overcoming vaccine hesitancy, often fueled by misinformation and safety concerns, requires targeted public health campaigns grounded in scientific evidence and strong community engagement. Investing in widespread vaccination and accessible screening technologies like the HPV nucleic acid test represents a highly cost-effective public health strategy, significantly reducing long-term healthcare expenditures and boosting national productivity.

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