India Unveils First Indigenous HPV Test Kits for Cervical Cancer Detection.

In April 2025, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology (MoS&T), launched India's first Made-in-India Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test kits for cervical cancer screening.

      - The two kits are Truenat HPV-HR Plus by Goa-based Molbio Diagnostics and Patho Detect by Pune (Maharashtra)-based Mylab Discovery Solutions. The kits were developed under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology's (MoS&T) Grand Challenges India (GCI) initiative, coordinated by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

      - The newly launched HPV test kits are designed for cervical cancer screening, which is the second most common cancer among Indian women. These kits target 7-8 high-risk HPV strains responsible for most cervical cancer cases, making them highly effective in early detection. The kits utilize Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technology, leveraging India's expanded post-COVID diagnostic infrastructure for more reliable results.

      - The kits offer rapid, cost-effective, and point-of-care testing, overcoming challenges posed by traditional methods such as Pap smears and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA). These traditional methods are often inaccessible and time-consuming, but the new kits provide a faster and more affordable alternative, making cervical cancer screening more accessible, especially in rural areas.

Main Point :-   (i) These kits were validated through the "Validation of Indigenous Human Papillomavirus Tests for Cervical Cancer Screening in India" (I-HPV) study, conducted by renowned institutions including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), and National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH). Additionally, international collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) ensured that the kits met global standards.

      (ii) According to the WHO, India is home to a significant portion of the global burden of cervical cancer, with 1 out of every 5 women suffering from cervical cancer being Indian. Furthermore, 25% of global cervical cancer deaths occur in India, highlighting the urgent need for more effective screening methods.

(iii) The WHO recommends that countries adopt HPV testing to screen 70% of eligible women by 2030, with only two lifetime tests required at the ages of 35 and 45 years. This initiative aims to reduce cervical cancer rates globally, with India playing a pivotal role in achieving this goal.
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