Published: 27 February 2026PIB / DD News on Air / India TV News / OrganiserHealth
PM Modi Launches Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-Year-Old Girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan
On February 28, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive from Ajmer, Rajasthan, to prevent cervical cancer. The campaign targets girls aged 14 years across all States and Union Territories, and will reach approximately 1.15 crore girls every year. The drive was formally initiated by PM Modi who administered the vaccine to five girls in a symbolic gesture at the event.
The vaccine being used is the single-shot Gardasil 4 — a quadrivalent HPV vaccine — which provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18, the primary causes of cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11 that cause genital warts. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, with over 1.2 lakh new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths reported annually (WHO GLOBOCAN 2022 data). HPV vaccination at age 14 is considered optimal as it is administered before potential exposure.
Beyond the vaccine launch, PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth over ₹16,686 crore in Rajasthan covering health, infrastructure, water, and energy. He also distributed appointment letters to more than 21,863 newly selected government employees in Rajasthan. The Ajmer launch gives Rajasthan a significant role in leading India's most ambitious public health programme of 2026.
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Q: Discuss the public-health significance of the nationwide HPV vaccination drive launched from Ajmer and its implications for cervical-cancer prevention in India.
Answer (50 words):
On 28 February 2026 PM Modi launched India's nationwide HPV vaccination drive from Ajmer, Rajasthan, targeting about 1.15 crore 14-year-old girls annually. Single-shot quadrivalent Gardasil 4 covers HPV types 16, 18, 6, 11. Cervical cancer — India's second-commonest female cancer, 1.2 lakh yearly cases, 80,000 deaths — becomes preventable through pre-exposure vaccination.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan, on which date?
Explanation · Correct answer APrime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan, on February 28, 2026. The campaign is intended to help prevent cervical cancer through HPV vaccination.
Frequently asked questions
From where did PM Modi launch India's nationwide HPV vaccination drive and on what date?
PM Modi launched India's nationwide HPV vaccination drive from Ajmer, Rajasthan on February 28, 2026. The choice of Ajmer was significant as Rajasthan leads in various health indices and serves as a model for vaccine rollout.
Which vaccine is used in India's national HPV vaccination programme and who are the target beneficiaries?
India's national HPV vaccination programme uses the single-shot Gardasil 4 vaccine. It targets approximately 1.15 crore 14-year-old girls annually to prevent cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer in Indian women.
Under which national health programme was the HPV vaccine added and what does that programme stand for?
The HPV vaccine was added to India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). The UIP is India's flagship public health initiative that provides free vaccines to children and pregnant women against preventable diseases.
What is the WHO recommendation regarding HPV vaccination and which age group does it cover?
WHO recommends HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14 years as the most cost-effective prevention measure against cervical cancer. The recommendation aligns with India's programme targeting 14-year-old girls for the single-dose Gardasil 4 vaccine.
What is cervical cancer and how is HPV related to it?
Cervical cancer is a cancer of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus) caused primarily by persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It is the second most common cancer in Indian women, making HPV vaccination a critical public health priority.
