National Universal Immunization Programme to Include HPV Vaccine for Girls
The Indian government has officially included the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) for girls aged 9-14.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) now includes the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9-14.
- The primary objective is to prevent cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among Indian women.
- The indigenous HPV vaccine, 'Cervavac' by Serum Institute of India, will be used.
- Vaccination will be administered through government health centers and schools nationwide.
- This marks the first inclusion of a vaccine for a non-communicable disease in the UIP.
- The initiative aligns with the WHO's global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer.
- The target age group (9-14 years) is chosen for maximum vaccine efficacy before potential exposure.
- The UIP, established in 1985, is one of the world's largest public health programs.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | Medium | 2–4 | Miscellaneous GK including appointments, books, summits, and records appears in SSC. |
| State PCS / PSC | Medium | 3–5 | Miscellaneous GK is tested across all state exam categories. |
| UPSC / State PCS | Low | 2–5 | UPSC focuses on depth, not breadth. General items are tested only when they have policy relevance. |
Key Facts to Remember: National Universal Immunization Programme to Include HPV Vaccine for Girls
- India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) now includes the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9-14.
- The primary objective is to prevent cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among Indian women.
- The indigenous HPV vaccine, 'Cervavac' by Serum Institute of India, will be used.
- Vaccination will be administered through government health centers and schools nationwide.
- This marks the first inclusion of a vaccine for a non-communicable disease in the UIP.
- The initiative aligns with the WHO's global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer.
- The target age group (9-14 years) is chosen for maximum vaccine efficacy before potential exposure.
- The UIP, established in 1985, is one of the world's largest public health programs.
Practice Questions
Q1. Which vaccine has been included in India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) starting May 5, 2026?
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
- Rotavirus vaccine
Explanation: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced the inclusion of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the UIP on May 5, 2026. This vaccine targets the prevention of cervical cancer.
Q2. What is the primary age group targeted for HPV vaccination under the UIP in India?
- 6 months to 5 years
- 9 to 14 years
- 15 to 24 years
- 25 to 35 years
Explanation: The HPV vaccine will be administered to girls aged 9 to 14 years. This age group is targeted because the vaccine is most effective when given before potential exposure to the virus.
Q3. Which indigenous vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India will be primarily used for HPV vaccination under the UIP?
- Covishield
- Covaxin
- Cervavac
- BCG
Explanation: 'Cervavac', developed by the Serum Institute of India, is the indigenous HPV vaccine that will be primarily used in the nationwide campaign under the Universal Immunization Programme.
Q4. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India. What is its primary cause?
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
- Persistent infection with high-risk strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Tuberculosis (TB)
Explanation: Persistent infection with certain high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Vaccination against HPV aims to prevent these infections.
Q5. The inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the UIP is significant because:
- It is the first vaccine for an infectious disease added to the UIP.
- It is the first vaccine for a non-communicable disease added to the UIP.
- It targets only male children.
- It replaces the Polio vaccine.
Explanation: The HPV vaccine is the first vaccine targeting a non-communicable disease (cervical cancer) to be included in the Universal Immunization Programme, which traditionally focuses on infectious diseases.
How to Prepare Current Affairs for Government Exams — National Universal Immunization Programme to Incl…
For general current affairs, read the PIB (Press Information Bureau) daily digest. It covers government announcements that directly map to exam questions.
Maintain a 'Monthly Top 50' list — the 50 most important facts from the month. Revise this before every mock test.
Focus on news from the last 6–8 months before your exam date. Older news rarely appears unless it was a landmark event.
Related Current Affairs
Test Your Knowledge on Today's Current Affairs
10 questions · 10 minutes · Based on today's GK updates. See how prepared you really are.
Start Daily Quiz