The legal framework
India carries one of the world's largest burdens of cervical cancer. Vaccination has not historically been part of the universal immunisation programme, though several states introduced it and a domestically manufactured vaccine, launched in 2023, brought the price down dramatically. Screening in the national programme relies mainly on visual inspection with acetic acid, delivered through health workers.
Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among Indian women, and HPV vaccination was for years available only privately at significant cost. A domestically produced vaccine has changed the economics, and introduction into the national immunisation programme has been announced and prepared in stages. Screening in most of the country uses visual inspection with acetic acid rather than laboratory tests.
Key points
| Burden | Among the highest numbers of cervical cancer cases and deaths in the world |
|---|---|
| Vaccine | A domestically produced vaccine launched in 2023 at a far lower price |
| Programme | Introduction into the universal immunisation programme has been under consideration; some states act independently |
| Screening | Visual inspection with acetic acid in the national programme |
| Age group | Women aged 30 to 49 targeted for screening |
| Health workers | ASHA workers mobilise women for screening at village level |
| Cost | Screening is free at public facilities |
In practice
- Ask at a public health centre about screening: visual inspection is free and gives an immediate result.
- Check whether your state offers the vaccine through a public programme before paying privately.
- Bleeding after sex or between periods needs to be examined, whatever your age.
- Screening remains necessary even if you have been vaccinated.
Cost and coverage
Screening is free at public facilities; vaccine prices have fallen sharply since domestic production began.
Where to go
- Primary health centres and community health centres.
- ASHA workers and auxiliary nurse midwives.
- Regional cancer centres for treatment of detected lesions.
Worth knowing
Visual inspection gives a result during the visit, which means a lesion can often be treated the same day. That single fact is why the method is used at scale where laboratories are scarce.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HPV vaccine available in India?
Yes, including a domestically produced vaccine that costs far less than imported ones, and introduction into the national immunisation programme has been prepared in stages with some states moving first. Outside the public programme it is available privately at a chemist or clinic on prescription.
Why vaccinate boys as well as girls?
Because HPV causes cancers of the penis, anus and throat as well as the cervix, and genital warts in both sexes — and because high coverage in both sexes cuts transmission for everyone far faster than vaccinating girls alone. Programmes that include boys reach population-level protection years earlier, which is why almost every country that started with girls has since extended it.
Official sources and links
- India.gov.in — national portal of India
- India Code — central and state legislation