According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP), India recorded an estimated 35,691 deaths due to cervical cancer in 2023, Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav informed Parliament. The numbers have steadily risen over the years, with 34,806 deaths in 2022, 33,938 in 2021, 33,095 in 2020, and 32,246 in 2019.
Cervical cancer screening is a key service under the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, with 1,76,141 centers operational across the country as of January 31. As per data from the National NCD Portal, over 9 crore women have been screened, with 96,747 diagnosed and 86,196 receiving treatment.
Jadhav also noted that cases of breast and cervical cancer have been rising over the past five years. A report by The George Institute of Global Health, India, based on Globocan 2012 data and cancer registry reports, states that cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in India, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 22 per 100,000 women and a mortality rate of 12.4 per 100,000 women.
To tackle major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension, diabetes, and various cancers, the government launched the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) in 2010. Under this initiative, 770 district NCD clinics, 233 cardiac care units (CCUs), 372 district daycare centers, and 6,410 community health centers have been established across India. The National NCD Portal, launched in 2018, aids in screening and managing these diseases to ensure continuous healthcare support.
The government has also integrated cervical cancer screening into the National Health Mission (NHM) as part of a broader effort to prevent and manage NCDs. However, the HPV vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer, is not yet included in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), according to Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel.
Sikkim became the first state in India to introduce the HPV vaccination program in 2018 for girls aged 9 to 14 years. Bihar followed suit, launching its Mukhyamantri Balika Cancer Immunisation Scheme on October 6, 2024, targeting girls in the same age group.
Despite these efforts, Patel stated that India currently has no specific target for eliminating cervical cancer.
