UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Measures taken against Rising Cervical Cancer

Q1. The global Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, built around the 90-70-90 targets adopted in 2020, is led and coordinated by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. World Health Organization (WHO)
  • B. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  • C. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
  • D. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Q2. With reference to cervical cancer screening under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) in India, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Screening is delivered through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
  2. The primary screening method used is HPV-DNA testing.
  3. The target group is women aged 30 to 65 years.
  4. The programme is implemented under the National Health Mission.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q3. The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls launched in February 2026 is implemented by which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • B. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • C. Ministry of AYUSH
  • D. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

Q4. With reference to the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign launched on 28 February 2026, consider the following statements. Which one of the following is NOT correct?

  1. The campaign was launched from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
  2. It targets 14-year-old girls, with those turning 15 within 90 days of launch also eligible.
  3. Approximately 1.15 crore girls are targeted across all States and Union Territories.
  4. Vaccines are provided free only to girls from families below the poverty line.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q5. The Gardasil vaccine used in India's national HPV campaign is described as 'quadrivalent'. Against which set of HPV types does it protect?

  • A. Types 6, 11, 16 and 18
  • B. Types 16 and 18 only
  • C. Types 6, 11, 31 and 33
  • D. Types 16, 18, 31 and 45

Q6. India's first indigenously developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine, CERVAVAC, is manufactured by which one of the following entities?

  • A. Serum Institute of India
  • B. Bharat Biotech
  • C. Biological E
  • D. Panacea Biotec

Q7. With reference to the burden of cervical cancer in India, consider the following statements. Which one of the following is NOT correct?

  1. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India.
  2. India recorded an estimated 127,526 new cases of cervical cancer in 2023.
  3. An estimated 79,906 women died of cervical cancer in India in 2023.
  4. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women, ahead of breast cancer.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q8. The Government's intent to encourage HPV vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14 years for the prevention of cervical cancer was first announced in which one of the following?

  • A. Interim Union Budget 2024-25
  • B. Union Budget 2023-24
  • C. Economic Survey 2023-24
  • D. National Health Policy 2017

Q9. In the context of India's NCD and cervical cancer screening delivery, what are 'Ayushman Arogya Mandirs'?

  • A. Upgraded/renamed Health and Wellness Centres (Sub-Health Centres and PHCs) delivering comprehensive primary health care
  • B. District-level tertiary cancer hospitals dedicated to oncology
  • C. Private hospitals empanelled for cashless treatment under PM-JAY
  • D. Mobile medical units operated for tribal and remote populations

Q10. The effectiveness of Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) in reducing cervical cancer mortality in a low-resource setting was first demonstrated through a large cluster-randomised controlled trial conducted in which Indian state?

  • A. Tamil Nadu
  • B. Kerala
  • C. Maharashtra
  • D. Karnataka