Detecting cervical cancer, which often requires costly tests and long waiting periods, is set to become faster and more affordable thanks to a new nanotechnology-based diagnostic kit developed by doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. The low-cost visual test delivers results in just two hours and is priced under Rs 100.
Tested on 400 patients, the kit has shown 100% accuracy in identifying cervical cancer caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Unlike conventional methods, this innovation does not require specialized doctors; it can be operated by ASHA workers and nurses at primary health centres, enabling rapid early detection and timely treatment.
However, the AIIMS team emphasized that the kit is not intended for self-testing, as it has not yet been evaluated for home use.
The project, led by Dr. Subhash Chandra Yadav, Additional Professor at the Electron and Microscope Facility, Department of Anatomy, along with Dr. Neerja Bhatla, former Head of the Department of Gynaecology, and researchers Jyoti Meena, Shikha Chaudhary, and Pranay Tanwar, received a Rs 6 lakh cash prize at the National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition (NBEC) 2025. The innovation was recognized as the best in the country and has also attracted venture capital backing for startup commercialization.
Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in India, particularly in rural areas with limited diagnostic facilities. Experts highlight that the introduction of a rapid, low-cost test could drastically improve early detection and treatment outcomes, potentially saving thousands of lives annually.
“This diagnostic kit provides accurate results in just two hours—a process that previously took machines costing around Rs 30 lakh several days to complete,” said Dr. Yadav. “Our goal was to make cervical cancer testing affordable and accessible. Currently, the same test costs around Rs 6,000 at private hospitals and Rs 2,000–3,000 at AIIMS.”
This breakthrough marks a significant advancement in medical science, promising to revolutionize cervical cancer screening and early intervention in India.
