Cervical cancer is a significant global health issue, ranking as the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. In 2020, there were approximately 604,127 new cases and 341,831 deaths reported. Shockingly, one woman dies from cervical cancer every 3 minutes on a global scale. While cervical cancer is preventable and curable if detected early, it remains a major public health concern in India, where it is the second most common cancer in women and the leading cause of death with 77,348 fatalities annually. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is identified as the primary cause of cervical cancer, with India having the highest prevalence. Therefore, regular screening, early detection, and prompt treatment play a crucial role in reducing the morbidity, mortality, and overall burden of cervical cancer.In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) set a target for the global elimination of CaCx by 2030 through the implementation of three coordinated interventions: (i) 90% HPV vaccination, (ii) 70% high-performance cervical screening, and (iii) 90% early effective treatment for those already infected and with diseases. However, the eradication of CaCx in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in India and Southeast Asia, faces significant challenges, leading to considerable delays. The question remains whether LMICs, specifically India, will be able to achieve this goal despite the availability of an affordable new single-dose HPV vaccine (CERVAVAC®, Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Pune). India, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, coupled with a relatively low socioeconomic status, inadequate health infrastructure, shortage of trained healthcare professionals, limited financial resources, lack of universal screening, low awareness levels, vaccine hesitancy, social and religious stigmas, and insufficient curative care compared to developed nations.

Keywords: World Health Organization, Human papillomavirus, elimination, Vaccine, interventions