Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern, with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Early detection and prevention are crucial in reducing the burden of this disease. Traditional Pap smear screening has been the cornerstone of cervical cancer prevention for decades. However, advancements in medical technology have introduced HPV DNA testing as a potential primary screening tool. Objective: The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection and high-risk genotyping as a primary screening tool for cervical cancer prevention in women attending a tertiary care hospital in North India. The focus is on determining the prevalence of hrHPV infections, assessing the potential for early detection of cervical neoplasia. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from January 2023 to June 2024, involving 395 women aged 25-65 years presenting to the gynaecology department of a tertiary care hospital in North India. Endo-cervical brushings were collected and subjected to HPV DNA testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotyping of hrHPV was performed for HPV-positive samples. Data for cytological examination was also collected and analysed. Results: Out of the 395 women screened, 50 (12.65%) tested positive for HPV DNA. hrHPV 16 was detected in 21 (42%) of the total positive HPV DNA cases, followed by hrHPV 39/68 in 16 (32%), hrHPV 31, 33, 35, 52, 58, 51, 56 or 66 in 9 (18%), and HPV 18 in 4 (8%) cases. No co-infection was reported in our study. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) was confirmed cytologically in 6% of hrHPV cases. Conclusion: HPV DNA detection and genotyping for hrHPV is highly effective as primary screening tools for cervical cancer. The prevalence of hrHPV in North Indian women underscores the importance of incorporating HPV-based screening into national cervical cancer prevention strategies. Further research is recommended to assess long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Keywords: Human Papillomavirus, hrHPV, cervical cancer, genotyping, Pap smear, Molecular diagnostics