Chennai/ Bengaluru June 12, 2026 — The ICMR National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai, in collaboration with the Centre of Data for Public Good (CDPG) and the Isaac Centre for Public Health (ICPH) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, announced the launch of ADARV (Advanced Data Analytics for Public Health Action and Research Venture), at an online launch event on Friday, 5 June 2026. Researchers, field epidemiologists, technology experts and policymakers from across the country attended the event. ADARV is a first-of-its-kind platform designed to support epidemic intelligence and strengthen outbreak response through data-driven analytics.
Developed through a collaboration between health researchers and technology experts, ADARV combines epidemiological expertise with modern data infrastructure and analytics capabilities. The platform enables users to analyse outbreak data rapidly and act on findings without dependence on external software or specialised statisticians. Beyond analytics, ADARV also serves as a public health data warehouse for India. Researchers and institutions can upload their datasets and share them openly with the broader research community. This open, structured repository aims to shift the culture around health data, from silos to sharing and build a growing common of outbreak intelligence that the entire research ecosystem can learn from.
Dr Manoj V Murhekar, Scientist G and Director, ICMR-NIE, Prof. Inder Gopal, Research Professor and Chair, CDPG, IISc, and Dr Prabhdeep Kaur, Professor and Chair, ICPH, IISc made inaugural remarks. The increasing frequency and complexity of disease outbreaks have highlighted the need for robust digital tools that can support surveillance and outbreak investigation. Speaking at the launch, Dr Murhekar said, “For years, outbreak investigation meant collecting data with pen and paper in the field, transferring it to spreadsheets, and waiting days or sometimes weeks before findings could inform a response. ADARV changed that during a hepatitis outbreak in Haryana, where field data collected in the morning was fully analysed within an hour.” ADARV bridges the gap between data collection and public health action, thereby fundamentally strengthening how we investigate outbreaks and make field decisions.
“ADARV envisions transforming field data into actionable intelligence, enabling researchers, epidemiologists, and decision-makers to detect signals earlier, understand outbreaks better, and respond faster. By bringing together data science, artificial intelligence, and public health expertise, we aim to build a more proactive and resilient epidemic intelligence ecosystem for India,” said Dr Rizwan S A, Scientist E, ICMR-NIE.
ICMR-NIE brings decades of experience in epidemiological research, disease surveillance, and outbreak investigation. CDPG led the design and development of the underlying data and analytics platform, leveraging its experience in building secure, scalable, and interoperable data systems for public good applications, and ICPH contributed expertise in research and population health systems.
“CDPG has been building data systems for urban settings, agricultural ecosystems, and many more. ADARV is our first initiative in the health vertical and is an example of how collaborations between public health institutions and technology partners can create scalable, impactful solutions that strengthen decision-making and improve resilience,” mentioned Prof. Inder Gopal, Research Professor and Chair, CDPG, during the launch.
Professor and Chair, ICPH, IISc, Dr Prabhdeep Kaur, commented that “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we noticed the field epidemiologists struggling hard to analyse large datasets to generate shareable reports. They needed real-time support, which is trustworthy, secure and state-of-the-art. ADARV turns that need into action. It lets field teams upload outbreak data and gets time–place–person insights within hours, not weeks. The reports can be shared with other stakeholders, too.”
Dr Sharan Murali, Scientist at ICMR-NIE and the lead epidemiologist who led the ADARV team, commented that, “This is the first public version, and we are currently using it to assist the outbreak investigations at Kerala. We are committed to co-building ADARV with epidemiologists in the field and will continue to improve the platform based on field feedback, with privacy and security as foundational priorities. We take special precautions to ensure that we adhere to the laws for collecting, storing and sharing data in India.”
ADARV is a free-to-use service, and access is available upon request. You may request access at adarv@nieicmr.org.in or visit https://adarv.in.
As India continues to invest in digital public infrastructure and data-driven governance, ADARV demonstrates how trusted data platforms and advanced analytics can strengthen the resilience of public health systems.
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ICMR National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai, is a permanent premier institute under the India Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. On 02 July 2024, ICMR-NIE completed 25 years of service to the nation. Over the past 25 years, ICMR-NIE has led capacity building and research in the areas of public health, outbreak sciences, disease epidemiology, and health systems strengthening. It also hosts the ICMR School of Public Health that conducts various academic programs.
Contact
- Manoj V Murhekar, Scientist G & Director, ICMR-NIE, Chennai
Email: director.nie@icmr.gov.in - Dr Hemant D Shewade, Scientist E & Nodal Communications Officer, ICMR-NIE, Chennai. Email: hemant@nie.gov.in
For more information on ICMR-NIE:
- Website: https://www.nie.gov.in/
- X handle: @icmr_nie
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@icmr_nie
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/icmr-nie/
The Centre of Data for Public Good (CDPG) is a pioneering initiative under FSID (Foundation for Science Innovation and Development), IISc Bengaluru, to build digital infrastructure that powers AI through trusted data exchanges. CDPG work at the intersection of technology, policy, and society, enabling responsible data sharing and innovation across sectors such as urban development, agriculture, geospatial services, healthcare and more. CDPG foster collaboration among academia, industry, and government to address pressing challenges across sectors and empower stakeholders to develop solutions that drive equitable, sustainable progress. Anchored in translational research and real-world applications, our software platforms, AI/ML models, innovative applications and data policies facilitate the use of data for public good.
For more information on CDPG:
- Website: https://dataforpublicgood.org.in/
- Media contact: agrawal@cdpg.org.in
The Isaac Centre for Public Health (ICPH) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, drives interdisciplinary research and capacity building at the intersection of public health, data science, and digital health. ICPH brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to develop scalable solutions for population health challenges. ADARV reflects ICPH’s core vision of making data science approaches accessible to a wider community of public health researchers and practitioners across India.
Contact:
Dr Prabhdeep Kaur, Professor and Chair, Isaac Centre for Public Health, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
Email id: pk@iisc.ac.in
For more information on ICPH:
LinkedIn: Isaac Centre for Public Health, Indian Institute of Science | LinkedIn