PM launches national HPV vaccination drive from Ajmer
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What happened
- The PM launched the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign at Ajmer, Rajasthan, along with projects worth ₹17,000 crore [PIB].
- The programme targets about 1.15 crore girls aged 14 every year; cervical cancer causes over 1.2 lakh new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths a year in India [PIB, MoHFW 27 Feb].
Background
- Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women, and it is largely preventable.
Why it matters
- A one-dose schedule keeps cost and dropout low. Cold-chain and AEFI readiness decide success.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-02-28): the PM launched the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign at Ajmer, Rajasthan, along with projects worth ₹17,000 crore.
- A one-dose schedule keeps cost and dropout low. Cold-chain and AEFI readiness decide success.
Quotable data pointThe programme targets about 1.15 crore girls aged 14 every year; cervical cancer causes over 1.2 lakh new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths a year in India.
PIB: PMO: HPV campaign launch at Ajmer, 28 Feb 2026
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: HPV and cervical cancer. · Mains: Preventive health for women.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
Launch venue
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Girls targeted each year
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Age group
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Go deeper
ExplainerOne Health Approach: Why Human, Animal and Environmental Health Are Linked, Zoonotic Diseases, the Global Quadripartite and India’s National One Health Mission (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerAntimicrobial Resistance (AMR): How Superbugs Arise, the Global and Indian Burden, Causes in Hospitals, Farms and the Environment, and India’s National Action Plan 2.0 (UPSC Notes + PYQs)
Official source: PIB: PMO: HPV campaign launch at Ajmer, 28 Feb 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending