Source: New India Samachar, Vol. 6, Issue 17 (March 1–15, 2026) | newindiasamachar.pib.gov.in
India launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan (February 28, 2026) — targeting 1.15 crore adolescent girls to eliminate cervical cancer, which kills 42,000 Indian women annually.
Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) — Scale
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Diseases covered | 13 (including HPV from 2026) |
| Newborns vaccinated annually | 2.6 crore |
| Pregnant women vaccinated annually | 2.9 crore |
| Universal vaccination coverage | 99% (against 12 diseases) |
13 Diseases Covered Under UIP: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, Tuberculosis (BCG), Rotavirus Diarrhoea, Hepatitis B, Meningitis (Hib), Pneumonia (PCV), Japanese Encephalitis, and now Cervical Cancer (HPV)
HPV Vaccination Campaign 2026
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch | February 28, 2026, from Ajmer, Rajasthan |
| Target group | Adolescent girls |
| Eligible population | 1.15 crore (11.5 million) |
| Campaign duration | 3 months + continuation on regular vaccination days |
| Vaccine | HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine |
Cervical Cancer in India — The Burden
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| India’s share of global cervical cancer deaths | 25% |
| Rank among cancers in Indian women | 2nd most common |
| New cases annually | ~80,000 |
| Deaths annually | ~42,000 |
| Primary cause | HPV (Human Papillomavirus) — types 16 and 18 cause ~70% of cases |
Why HPV vaccination is critical:
- HPV is sexually transmitted; most infections asymptomatic
- Cervical cancer develops 10–20 years after persistent HPV infection
- Vaccination before sexual debut (adolescent girls 9-14 years) = highest efficacy
- HPV vaccine is one of the most cost-effective cancer prevention interventions globally
U-WIN Digital Platform
U-WIN (Universal Immunisation Program – Women and Infants Nationwide) is India’s digital backbone for vaccination tracking:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Children enrolled | 11.12 crore |
| Pregnant women enrolled | 3.78 crore |
| Data as of | February 8, 2026 |
| Function | Digital registry of all vaccinations; appointment reminders; due-list generation |
| AI role | Contributed significantly to achieving 99% coverage |
How U-WIN Works:
- Beneficiary registered at birth/first antenatal visit
- Vaccination schedule auto-generated (BCG → OPV → DPT → Measles → etc.)
- SMS reminders to parents; ASHA workers use the app for household tracking
- Real-time data visible to district, state, and national health officials
Mission Indradhanush
Launched 2014 — intensified immunisation drive for children and pregnant women in underserved areas:
| Phase | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Mission Indradhanush (2014–17) | 528 districts |
| Intensified MI (2017–18) | 190 high-burden districts |
| Intensified MI 4.0 (2022–23) | Zero-dose children focus |
Zero-dose children: Children who have not received even a single vaccine dose — focus of current drives. India had ~2.7 million zero-dose children (2023) — largest in the world before intensification.
Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs)
- Held monthly at Anganwadi centres
- ASHAs + ANMs administer vaccines + record in U-WIN
- Convergence platform: immunisation + nutrition + antenatal care in one visit
UPSC Relevance
GS2 — Health Governance:
- Universal Health Coverage (UHC): immunisation as a cornerstone
- National Health Policy 2017: targets disease elimination
- Cervical cancer elimination target: WHO’s 90-70-90 strategy (90% girls vaccinated by 15; 70% screened; 90% of cervical disease treated)
GS3 — Science & Technology:
- HPV vaccine: developed by Serum Institute (Cervavac — India’s first indigenous HPV vaccine)
- Cervavac: quadrivalent HPV vaccine (types 6, 11, 16, 18); approved 2022; ₹200/dose (vs ₹3,000+ for imported)
- U-WIN: digital public infrastructure for health
GS4 — Ethics:
- Mandatory vs. voluntary vaccination debate
- Vaccine hesitancy: addressing community concerns ethically
Key Distinctions:
- U-WIN ≠ CoWIN: CoWIN was for COVID-19 vaccination only; U-WIN is for the entire UIP (permanent platform)
- UIP ≠ NHM: NHM is the broader health mission; UIP is the immunisation component
- Cervavac (SII) ≠ Gardasil (Merck, US): both HPV vaccines but different pricing and quadrivalent vs. bivalent formulations
Facts Corner
- HPV campaign launched: February 28, 2026, Ajmer; targets 1.15 crore adolescent girls
- India’s cervical cancer: 80,000 new cases/year; 42,000 deaths/year; 25% of global deaths
- UIP coverage: 99%; 2.6 crore newborns + 2.9 crore pregnant women annually; 13 diseases
- U-WIN: 11.12 crore children + 3.78 crore pregnant women enrolled (Feb 2026)
- Cervavac: India’s indigenous quadrivalent HPV vaccine (SII); approved 2022; ₹200/dose
- Mission Indradhanush: launched 2014; reached 528 districts; zero-dose children focus now
- WHO target: 90% girls vaccinated by 15 → eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem
