India Launches First Indigenous HPV Test Kits for Cervical Cancer Screening

Current Context: India launched its first indigenous HPV (Human Papillomavirus) test kits for cervical cancer screening on April 23, 2025, in New Delhi.

• Developed under the Department of Biotechnology's (DBT) initiative, these kits are part of the Grand Challenges India (GCI) program at the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

Key highlights include:

• Rapid, point-of-care testing using RT-PCR technology.
• Targeting the 7–8 most common cancer-causing HPV types for efficient and cost-effective screening.
• Validation through multicentric clinical studies conducted by institutions like AIIMS Delhi, NICPR Noida, and NIRRCH Mumbai, in collaboration with WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Question:

Q.1 Which government initiative supported the development of India’s first indigenous HPV test kit?
a) Digital India Mission
b) Make in India
c) Grand Challenges India (GCI)
d) National Innovation Foundation

Answer: c) The test kit was developed under the Department of Biotechnology’s initiative through the Grand Challenges India (GCI) program, which is managed by BIRAC.