India has achieved a significant milestone by successfully validating the first indigenous human papillomavirus (HPV) test for cervical cancer screening. This development is expected to make cervical cancer screening more affordable and accessible, especially for women living in rural and underserved areas. Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women in India, and early detection plays a crucial role in reducing deaths from the disease.
However, HPV screening rates in India have been low because many existing HPV tests are expensive and require advanced laboratory facilities. The new local test addresses these challenges by offering a reliable and cost-effective alternative that can be used more widely across the country. This reflects India’s growth in medical research and diagnostic innovation.
The approved test was developed through a collaborative effort involving Indian researchers, healthcare institutions and international experts. Scientists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization participated in the verification process. A successful evaluation confirms that the test meets international quality standards and performs at a level comparable to globally accepted HPV screening tests.
Experts believe that this breakthrough could significantly boost India’s efforts to prevent cervical cancer by enabling large-scale screening programs at a lower cost. India is also working to expand HPV vaccination efforts, and the new test is expected to help with prevention strategies and improve women’s health outcomes.
Why is HPV testing important?
Human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Some high-risk types of HPV can cause changes in cervical cells that may eventually develop into cancer if left untreated. Regular screening helps identify these infections and abnormal cell changes before cancer develops.
Many women infected with HPV do not show symptoms in the early stages. This makes screening especially important. Early detection of high-risk HPV infections allows doctors to closely monitor patients and provide the necessary treatment. Studies have shown that HPV screening can significantly reduce cervical cancer cases and related deaths.
Advantages of the original HPV test
The newly approved test is specifically designed to meet the healthcare needs of India. The Truenat HPV-HR Plus test, developed by Goa-based Molbio Diagnostics, can detect several high-risk HPV types responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancer cases. It uses advanced molecular diagnostic technology.
One of its biggest advantages is affordability. Imported HPV tests are often expensive and may not be available in smaller health care facilities. This local testing can help reduce reliance on imported tests and support large-scale screening programmes. The researchers highlighted that the test demonstrated accuracy and quality standards similar to internationally recognized screening tools.
Sriram Natarajan, CEO, Molbio Diagnostics, said: “With the validation of Truenat HPV-HR Plus, India is taking an important step towards making the elimination of cervical cancer an achievable reality. At Molbio, our mission has always been to democratize access to high-quality molecular diagnostics. This achievement demonstrates the power of homegrown innovation in delivering globally validated solutions that can expand access to screening, strengthen public health programs, and ultimately save lives.” NDTV
