Measures taken to Strengthen HPV Vaccination Programme

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is India's flagship intervention to eliminate cervical cancer, the second-most common cancer among Indian women.
• In February 2026, the Centre rolled out a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls using Gardasil-4 in a single-dose schedule, free of cost at government facilities.
• Significant for UPSC as it intersects GS-II (Health Policy), GS-III (S&T, Public Health) and the 72nd Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee Report on HPV vaccine trials.