The free-to-use platform combines epidemiology, data science and artificial intelligence to help researchers and field teams analyse outbreak data faster, share datasets and support public health decision-making.
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, has launched a new digital platform aimed at strengthening epidemic intelligence and outbreak response in India.
Called ADARV (Advanced Data Analytics for Public Health Action and Research Venture), the platform was unveiled during an online event on 5 June 2026. Researchers, field epidemiologists, technology experts and policymakers from across the country attended the launch.
The initiative comes at a time when public health agencies are grappling with increasingly frequent and complex disease outbreaks. According to the institutions behind the project, ADARV is designed to help researchers and field teams analyse outbreak data rapidly and convert findings into actionable public health insights.
Bridging data collection and public health action
ADARV combines epidemiological expertise with modern data infrastructure and analytics capabilities. The platform allows users to analyse outbreak data without relying on external software or specialised statisticians.
Dr Manoj V. Murhekar, Scientist G and Director of ICMR-NIE, said traditional outbreak investigations often involved collecting information on paper, transferring it to spreadsheets and waiting days or weeks before findings could guide public health responses.
“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,” Murhekar said.
He added that the platform bridges the gap between data collection and public health action, strengthening outbreak investigations and field-level decision-making.
Designed as an outbreak analytics and data-sharing platform
Beyond data analysis, ADARV will also function as a public health data warehouse for India.
Researchers and institutions can upload datasets and share them openly with the wider research community. The developers said the repository aims to move health data practices away from isolated data silos towards greater collaboration and data sharing.
A public health data warehouse is a structured repository where datasets can be stored, managed and accessed for research and public health purposes.
The initiative seeks to build a shared repository of outbreak intelligence that researchers and institutions can use to generate insights and strengthen future outbreak responses.
Leveraging artificial intelligence and data science
Dr Rizwan S. A., Scientist E at ICMR-NIE, said the platform aims to transform field data into actionable intelligence. “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,” he said.
Epidemic intelligence refers to the collection, analysis and interpretation of health-related data to detect and respond to disease outbreaks and public health threats.
According to the collaborating institutions, the platform brings together expertise from epidemiology, population health, data science and digital infrastructure to support surveillance and outbreak investigation.
Collaboration between public health and technology institutions
ICMR-NIE contributed its experience in epidemiological research, disease surveillance and outbreak investigation.
CDPG led the design and development of the underlying data and analytics platform, drawing on its experience in building secure, scalable and interoperable data systems for public-good applications. “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,” said Prof. Inder Gopal, Research Professor and Chair, CDPG.
ICPH contributed expertise in research and population health systems. Dr Prabhdeep Kaur, Professor and Chair, ICPH, IISc, said the need for such a platform became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. “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,” Kaur said.
Already supporting outbreak investigations
Dr Sharan Murali, Scientist at ICMR-NIE and lead epidemiologist for the ADARV team, said the current release is the platform’s first public version.
“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,” he said.
Murali said future improvements would be guided by feedback from epidemiologists working in the field, while maintaining compliance with Indian laws governing data collection, storage and sharing.
What comes next
ADARV is available as a free-to-use service, with access provided upon request.
The launch marks a new collaboration between public health institutions and technology experts to support faster outbreak detection, data-driven surveillance and evidence-based public health action. As disease outbreaks become more complex, the platform’s developers believe tools that combine epidemiology, artificial intelligence and data analytics could play a larger role in strengthening India’s epidemic intelligence ecosystem.
