National Universal Immunization Programme to Include HPV Vaccine for Girls
The Indian government has officially included the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) for girls aged 9-14.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- HPV vaccine included in the Universal Immunization Programme.
- Target group: Girls aged 9-14 years.
- Aims to prevent cervical cancer.
- Indigenous vaccine 'Cervavac' to be used.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | Medium | 2–4 | Miscellaneous GK including appointments, books, summits, and records appears in SSC. |
| State PCS / PSC | Medium | 3–5 | Miscellaneous GK is tested across all state exam categories. |
| UPSC / State PCS | Low | 2–5 | UPSC focuses on depth, not breadth. General items are tested only when they have policy relevance. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- Appointments: new heads of organizations, ministries, and international bodies
- Books and authors in the news — especially by current heads of state or notable personalities
- First-ever achievements: India's firsts, world firsts, records broken
- Summits and their dates, venue, and key declarations
- Obituaries: notable personalities, their field, and contribution
Practice Questions
Q1. The HPV vaccine is primarily used to prevent which type of cancer?
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Blood Cancer
Explanation: The HPV vaccine protects against the Human Papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer.
Q2. What is the name of India's indigenous HPV vaccine?
- Covaxin
- Cervavac
- ZyCoV-D
- iNCOVACC
Explanation: Cervavac is India's first indigenous HPV vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India.
How to Prepare Current Affairs for Government Exams
For general current affairs, read the PIB (Press Information Bureau) daily digest. It covers government announcements that directly map to exam questions.
Maintain a 'Monthly Top 50' list — the 50 most important facts from the month. Revise this before every mock test.
Focus on news from the last 6–8 months before your exam date. Older news rarely appears unless it was a landmark event.