The test kits have been developed under the Department of Biotechnology’s (DBT) partnership programme Grand Challenges India (GCI) at the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Indigenously developed (Human papillomavirus) HPV test kits for cervical cancer screening were launched on Wednesday (April 23, 2025).

The test kits have been developed under the Department of Biotechnology’s (DBT) partnership programme Grand Challenges India (GCI) at the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

The DBT supported research coordinated by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, with testing done at laboratories at AIIMS, National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida; and the National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH), Mumbai, in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

“The key feature of these kits is the inclusion of only the seven-eight most common cancer-causing types that will allow a very efficient and cost-effective screening programme which will be most suitable for India,” Dr Neerja Bhatla, former head of the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at AIIMS, Delhi and chief coordinator of the programme said.

The study titled ‘Validation of Indigenous Human Papillomavirus Tests for Cervical Cancer Screening in India (i-HPV)’ validated indigenously developed, rapid, point-of-care, RTPCR-based HPV diagnostic test kits for screening cervical cancer in premier research and development laboratories of India.

“Given the enhancement of RTPCR-based diagnostic facilities across the nation in the post-COVID era, the introduction of sensitive RTPCR-based HPV testing kits might prove to be cost effective screening method over classical HPV DNA and Pap smear for deployment in the national cancer screening programme,” Dr Bhatla said.

Cancer of the uterine cervix is the second most common cancer among Indian women. According to WHO data, one out of every five women in the world suffering from the disease is an Indian, Dr Bhatla stated.

Besides the high incidence of cervical cancer owing to its late diagnosis and with consequent poor survival, 25% of global mortality due to cervical cancer occurs in India, she said.

Thus, there has been a pressing need for the development of control strategies for the prevention and screening of cervical cancer. The currently available methods of screening of cervical cancer include Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), Papanicolaou test (Pap test or Pap smear) and HPV DNA testing, she stated.

Regular population screening by Pap smears has been successfully implemented in the developed world. Nevertheless, it is costly, resource-intensive and only moderately sensitive. VIA screening requires considerable training and re-training for quality assurance and has high false positivity rates with programmatic challenges, she said.

HPV testing has the best diagnostic accuracy if it conforms to international standards of validation. As part of the Global Declaration for Cervical Cancer Elimination, WHO recommends a transition to HPV testing in all countries, whereby only two tests in a lifetime, at age 35 and again by age 45 years, will be sufficient. The target is to set up processes to screen 70% of eligible women by 2030, Dr. Bhatla stated.

It has been 17 seasons, countless heartbreaks, and still no Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. Yet, every year, as the summer heat rises, so does the roar of the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) faithful fans. Clad in red and gold, with voices hoarse from chanting “RCB, RCB” and hearts full of hope with slogans like “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (This time, the cup is ours), RCB fans return match after match, season after season, undaunted by the scoreboard. In a world where loyalty often hinges on success, the RCB fan base stands out to be resilient, passionate, and endlessly optimistic.

RCB, currently playing its 18th season, is one of the most popular and passionately supported franchises in the IPL. Based in Bengaluru, the team was founded in 2008 and is owned by United Spirits, a subsidiary of British beverage company Diageo. Despite boasting some of the biggest names in cricket over the years, including Anil Kumble, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Faf du Plessis, RCB has never won an IPL title, which has often made them the subject of memes and heartbreak in equal measure.

The team had reached the finals three times in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but narrowly missed the crown each time. Their tagline, “Ee Sala Cup Namde, “ has become a rallying cry and meme rolled into one, capturing both the hope and humour of the RCB journey. And for their fans, the journey has always mattered more than the destination. 

Passion and team spirit

We spoke to the “12th man army”, as RCB fondly calls its fans from across the State, questioning why they continue to support the franchise despite not bringing home a cup.

Speaking to The Hindu, Rakhi Chadaga, a 29-year-old HR professional, said, “For us RCB fans, it is not about winning the cup. Of course, that would be icing on the cake. But it is more about how RCB plays each game, the thrill of it. From the good old days of Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Chris Gayle, ABd to the forever favourite Virat, we support RCB for the B (Bangalore) not the C (cup).”

Tejas Narayanappa, a data engineer, said, “I am an RCB fan because, let’s face it, if you are born in India, you are pretty much destined to support cricket, and if you’re from Bengaluru, RCB is the team you are drawn to! It’s almost like a rite of passage. Growing up in the city, watching matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and cheering for the team, it’s part of Bengaluru and our identity.” 

Fans during the match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bangalore on April 20, 2013.
| Photo Credit:
K. BHAGYA PRAKASH

Inspiration to many

Veeresh Badiger, a 27-year-old video editor, has been a fan of RCB since 2013. “For me, it all started with fantastic players like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. As I grew up, I realised RCB is not just about star players, but it is about passion, team spirit, and giving your all every season. Watching them over the years taught me a lot – staying loyal, never giving up, living in the moment, working hard, and believing in yourself.” Veeresh added that these lessons helped him become mentally stronger and apply the same in my life. “RCB has become more than a team for me; it has played a big role in my personal growth,” he added.  

“From watching Karnataka’s legends like Dravid and Kumble to witnessing Virat Kohli grow from a young under-19 player into a symbol of loyalty and passion, RCB has always felt personal. With ABd and Chris Gayle redefining T20 entertainment, this team did not just play, they inspired. More than anything, RCB stands for the spirit of never giving up. No matter the season, no matter the odds, they fight till the end. And every time I see that red and gold jersey, I believe in them all over again,” said Anurag Sharma a theatre artist.

Srinivasachari G., from Nangali Village, Kolar, said it always feels like he is part of the RCB family. “I’m emotionally attached to the team, and going to Chinnaswamy feels like home. Every year, we carry a lot of emotions, every win, every loss, every game we feel and enjoy wholeheartedly. Yes, we don’t have a trophy, but the team with zero trophies has the highest number of fan following across the country, RCB is the Heart of IPL,” he said.

RCB fans during the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on May 4, 2014.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR

Fans of all ages 

While RCB is known for having fans who have been following the franchise since 2008, older and younger fans have also been growing for the team. Ravi Subramaniam, at 72, is a die-hard RCB fan.

“I have seen cricket from the days of B.S. Chandrasekhar and E.A.S. Prasanna. But there is something about RCB that keeps me young at heart. I have not followed RCB from the beginning, I started watching the matches a couple of years ago with my children and grandchildren just to spend some time with family. But they had me hooked. We may not have a trophy, but we have heart. And as long as there is a match at Chinnaswamy, I will be there, with my flag, my whistle, and my hope,” he said cheerfully.

RCB fans during the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on May 29, 2016.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR

Huda Syed, at 15, is as passionate a fan as Subramaniam. The 10th grade student said, “I have been an RCB fan literally since I was born, not because of the trophies, but because of the passion and energy this team brings to the field. Supporting RCB is more than just backing a team, it is about believing in potential, loving the game, and standing by your favourites through every high and low. Watching legends like Virat Kohli give their all every single match, win or lose, has been nothing short of inspiring. Yes, we have not lifted the IPL trophy yet, but the loyalty, the Chinnaswamy roar, and the unwavering belief of the fans make us champions in spirit. RCB is a feeling, not just a franchise. And we will always say it loud ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde.”