Aarogya Setu is a mobile application launched by the Government of India to support public health initiatives through technology. Initially introduced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the app was designed to help citizens assess their risk of infection and enable government authorities to monitor the spread of the virus effectively.
This app was developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Aarogya Setu quickly became a vital tool in India’s pandemic response.
The app primarily used Bluetooth-based contact tracing and GPS location data to alert users if they had come into contact with a COVID-19 positive individual. Over time, its scope expanded beyond pandemic management, transforming it into a national health app under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Today, it serves as a digital platform connecting citizens to health services and information nationwide.
Why was Aarogya Setu Developed?
Aarogya Setu was developed with several objectives in mind:
- Public Awareness: To educate citizens about COVID-19 and spread awareness regarding preventive measures, risk factors, and government advisories.
- Health Connectivity: To establish a direct connection between government health services and the population, facilitating easier access to information and healthcare resources.
- Proactive Monitoring: To enable contact tracing and hotspot identification for timely containment of the virus.
- Support for Government Programs: To complement initiatives like e-passes, vaccination registration through CoWIN, and other pandemic-related services.
- Data-Driven Governance: To provide a reliable digital tool that assists government authorities in tracking infection patterns and making informed decisions for public health management.
What is the Evolution of Aarogya Setu?
Initially launched as a COVID-19 tracking app, Aarogya Setu has undergone significant evolution:
| Feature | Details |
| Pandemic Response Tool | In 2020, used for contact tracing, hotspot mapping, e-pass issuance, and vaccination registration. |
| Open Source Transformation | In May 2020, source code was made public on GitHub for transparency, allowing developers to identify vulnerabilities and suggest improvements. |
| Bug Bounty Program | NIC launched a program to reward developers for finding security flaws, ensuring app robustness and safety. |
| National Health Platform | Under ABDM, Aarogya Setu now serves as a digital health hub, connecting citizens to hospitals, labs, blood banks, and health records; supports blood donation campaigns like Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav. |
Aarogya Setu as a National Health App
Aarogya Setu has transformed from its original role as a COVID-19 contact-tracing app into a comprehensive National Health App under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
The app now serves as a digital health platform, connecting citizens to healthcare services, maintaining health records, and supporting public health initiatives. Its evolution reflects India’s push for digital health infrastructure and citizen-centric technology solutions.
| Feature | Details |
| ABHA (Digital Health ID) | Users can create a unique health ID to store and manage health records like prescriptions, lab reports, and diagnoses. Enables paperless interaction with hospitals and labs. |
| Digital Health Record Management | Allows linking and managing existing health records. Consent management system ensures privacy and secure sharing of medical data. |
| Nearby Healthcare Services | Search feature to locate hospitals, laboratories, and blood banks for easy access to healthcare. |
| eRaktKosh Integration | Provides real-time information on blood availability at nearby blood banks, supporting emergencies and donation drives. |
| Usage Policy | App became voluntary in October 2024; no longer mandatory but continues to be used by citizens and organizations. |
| Voluntary Adoption | South Western Railway employees used the app voluntarily in September 2025. |
| Institutional Use | Indian Army conducted “Exercise Aarogya Setu” in Assam in August 2025 for health preparedness and training. |
| Significance | Supports digital health infrastructure, e-governance in healthcare, and citizen-centric technology solutions. |
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What are the Key Features of Aarogya Setu?
The modern Aarogya Setu app includes:
- Digital Health ID (ABHA): Users can create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account for maintaining digital health records.
- Hospital and Laboratory Access: Locate nearby hospitals, diagnostic labs, and blood banks.
- Telemedicine Services: Schedule consultations via eSanjeevani.
- Blood Bank Integration: Real-time updates on blood availability through the eRaktKosh API.
- Data Transparency: Open-source code ensures security, accountability, and collaboration among developers.
- User-Friendly Interface: Available in 12 languages to ensure accessibility across India.
How did Aarogya Setu Impact Public Health Management?
Aarogya Setu has been instrumental in:
- Contact Tracing: Identifying individuals potentially exposed to COVID-19 and alerting them promptly.
- Hotspot Detection: Detecting emerging hotspots, enabling timely government intervention.
- Information Dissemination: Providing verified updates to prevent misinformation during the pandemic.
- Support for Health Campaigns: Facilitating vaccination registration and blood donation campaigns nationwide.
According to NITI Aayog data, the app helped identify more than 3,000 hotspots several days in advance, demonstrating the potential of digital governance in proactive public health management.
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Governance and Ethical Issues of Aarogya Setu
Despite its utility, Aarogya Setu faced several controversies:
- Data Privacy Concerns: The app collected sensitive personal and health data, raising questions about user consent and potential misuse.
- Legal Backing: Initially, there was no clear legal framework mandating its use, causing concern about compulsory downloads in certain areas.
- Transparency Issues: Before becoming open-source, the closed nature of the app raised security and privacy concerns.
- Limited Liability: The government provided limited liability regarding data breaches, prompting discussions on accountability.
- Ethical Concerns: The balance between public health benefits and individual rights became a key debate, especially regarding mandatory usage in workplaces and public spaces.
How did Aarogya Setu Contribute to Technology and Innovation?
The app is an example of rapid technological deployment for public welfare:
- Indigenization: Developed entirely in India by NIC, showcasing domestic technological capability.
- Open Source Model: Encouraged collaboration with Indian developers, enhancing app security and innovation.
- Bug Bounty Program: Incentivized ethical hacking to maintain safety standards.
- Integration with ABDM: Demonstrates the potential of digital health infrastructure in modern governance.
What is the Social and Economic Impact of Aarogya Setu?
Aarogya Setu has influenced society and the economy in several ways:
- Health Literacy: Improved citizen awareness of COVID-19 and preventive measures.
- Economic Activity Support: E-pass integration allowed essential services and transportation during lockdowns.
- Healthcare Accessibility: Digital health IDs and telemedicine services expanded access to healthcare.
- Community Participation: Enabled citizens to contribute to national initiatives like blood donation drives.
What are the Challenges and Limitations of Aarogya Setu?
Despite its success, Aarogya Setu faced several challenges:
- Privacy and Security Risks: Bluetooth and GPS data are vulnerable to hacking.
- User Compliance: Mandating downloads raised resistance in certain regions.
- Legal and Ethical Concerns: Initial absence of legal backing created debates over civil liberties.
- Rapid Technology Updates: Maintaining an open-source app for millions of users requires constant updates and monitoring.
- Digital Divide: Access and usability issues for rural or non-smartphone users.
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How has Aarogya Setu Fostered Innovation and Collaboration?
The open-source approach and Bug Bounty program have encouraged developer engagement, promoting:
- Rapid identification of vulnerabilities.
- Implementation of new features to enhance usability and security.
- Collaboration between government, developers, and ethical hackers to improve public digital tools.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
| Launch | 2020 by Government of India, NIC under MeitY |
| Initial Purpose | COVID-19 tracking, contact tracing, risk assessment |
| Evolution | Now a National Health App under ABDM |
| Key Features | ABHA creation, hospital/lab info, telemedicine, blood bank API |
| Technology Used | Bluetooth, GPS, self-assessment, open-source code |
| Languages Available | 12 languages |
| Governance Relevance | Digital governance, e-governance, privacy, centre-state cooperation |
| Ethical Concerns | Data privacy, lack of initial legal backing, transparency |
| Social Impact | Health awareness, telemedicine access, support for blood drives |
| Recognition | Rapid adoption, hotspot detection, international attention |
Questions Based on Aarogya Setu
- When was Aarogya Setu launched?
A) 2018
B) 2019
C) 2020
D) 2021
E) 2022
Answer: C) 2020 - Which ministry developed Aarogya Setu?
A) Health Ministry
B) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
C) Home Ministry
D) Information & Broadcasting Ministry
E) Department of Science & Technology
Answer: B) MeitY - What technology does Aarogya Setu use for contact tracing?
A) Wi-Fi
B) GPS & Bluetooth
C) RFID
D) NFC
E) QR Codes
Answer: B) GPS & Bluetooth - Under which mission has Aarogya Setu evolved into a National Health App?
A) PM Garib Kalyan Yojana
B) Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
C) Digital India
D) Mission COVID Suraksha
E) Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
Answer: B) Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission - How many languages is the app available in now?
A) 10
B) 11
C) 12
D) 13
E) 14
Answer: C) 12
Also Read:
- Which organization manages the development of Aarogya Setu?
A) ISRO
B) DRDO
C) National Informatics Centre (NIC)
D) NITI Aayog
E) AIIMS
Answer: C) National Informatics Centre (NIC) - What program encourages developers to find security flaws in Aarogya Setu?
A) Code for India
B) Bug Bounty Program
C) Make in India
D) Digital India Hackathon
E) Open Source Challenge
Answer: B) Bug Bounty Program - Which feature allows online doctor consultation through Aarogya Setu?
A) eRaktKosh
B) eSanjeevani
C) CoWIN
D) ABHA
E) MyHealth
Answer: B) eSanjeevani - Which campaign utilized Aarogya Setu for blood donation registration?
A) Jan Suraksha
B) Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav
C) Mission COVID Suraksha
D) Swasth Bharat
E) Digital India Blood Drive
Answer: B) Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav - What was the main ethical concern with Aarogya Setu initially?
A) High cost
B) Lack of GPS accuracy
C) Data privacy & legal backing
D) Low downloads
E) Device compatibility
Answer: C) Data privacy & legal backing
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