Cervavac: India's Indigenous HPV Vaccine Rollout
The government has launched a nationwide immunization drive using 'Cervavac', India's first indigenous HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- Cervavac is India's first indigenous HPV vaccine.
- Developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
- Targets cervical cancer prevention in girls aged 9-14.
- Integrated into the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 4–8 | Basic science, space missions, ISRO launches, and defence technology are standard SSC GK topics. |
| UPSC / State PCS | Medium | 5–8 | UPSC tests Science & Technology through governance: space policy, biotech regulations, cyber security. |
| State PCS / PSC | Medium | 3–5 | Space missions, defence acquisitions, and health research appear regularly. |
| Railway (RRB NTPC / Group D) | Very High | 6–10 | Science and Technology is one of the largest GK sections in Railway papers. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- ISRO missions: satellite name, purpose, launch date, orbit type
- Defence acquisitions: system name, origin country, inducted into which force
- COVID/health research: vaccine names, institutes involved, approval status
- Technology achievements: first-ever milestones, world records, India-specific achievements
- Scientific organizations: HQ, head, purpose (CSIR, DRDO, BARC, ICAR)
Practice Questions
Q1. Which company developed India's first indigenous HPV vaccine, Cervavac?
- Bharat Biotech
- Serum Institute of India
- Zydus Cadila
- Dr. Reddy's
Explanation: Cervavac was developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
Q2. Cervavac is used to prevent which type of cancer?
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Blood Cancer
Explanation: Cervavac is a vaccine specifically designed to prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV.
How to Prepare Science & Technology for Government Exams
For Railway exams, make flashcards for every major ISRO launch — name, payload, purpose, date. These repeat frequently.
For SSC, focus on defence acquisitions and their strategic significance rather than technical specs.
For UPSC, connect every scientific development to policy — climate targets, digital India, health policy.