Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme aimed at protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer. The campaign was officially launched in Ajmer, Rajasthan, marking a major step in strengthening preventive healthcare for women in India.
The initiative targets girls aged 14 years across all states and union territories and is expected to benefit around 1.15 crore girls every year. Under the programme, the HPV vaccine will be provided free of cost at government healthcare facilities, including primary health centres, district hospitals, and government medical colleges.
The campaign aims to prevent cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers among women in India. Medical experts note that most cervical cancer cases are caused by infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Vaccination at an early age significantly reduces the risk of developing the disease later in life.
During the launch event, several schoolgirls were vaccinated in the presence of the Prime Minister to mark the start of the national campaign. The programme uses the Gardasil-4 vaccine, which protects against HPV types 16 and 18—responsible for most cervical cancer cases—as well as types 6 and 11 that cause genital warts.
Government officials stated that the vaccination will be given as a single-dose injection for girls in the eligible age group. The rollout will be supported by healthcare workers, school-based awareness campaigns, and digital monitoring systems to ensure widespread coverage and proper tracking of beneficiaries.
According to health data, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, with more than 1.2 lakh new cases and about 80,000 deaths annually. Experts believe that widespread HPV vaccination could drastically reduce these numbers in the coming decades.
The government described the initiative as a major step toward women’s health and empowerment, emphasizing that protecting young girls from preventable diseases will help build a healthier future generation.