Delhi resident Bhavna Saini has integrated her smartwatch into her gym routine over the last three years, utilizing it for step and speed tracking, as well as checking the time. She transitioned from a Fitbit band to a smartwatch, emphasizing the importance of health tracking features that monitor her speed, milestones, and heart rate. Recently, she began tracking her blood pressure, citing health concerns, which has made her device indispensable.
Similarly, Bengaluru’s Shubham Palriwala uses health-tracking wearables to monitor his sleep patterns. Initially unaware of his sleep quality, he has benefited from the device by optimizing his rest and workload allocation.
The community of fitness enthusiasts in India embracing health-tracking wearables is growing, spurred by increased awareness of preventive healthcare and lifestyle-related diseases. Oura, a Finnish health-tech company, recently launched its Oura Ring 4, capable of tracking sleep and more than 50 wellness indicators, reflecting a promising market in India.
According to Counterpoint Research, ECG (electrocardiogram) monitoring is present in less than 5% of smartwatches, while blood pressure tracking is found in 22%. Anshika Jain, Principal Analyst at Counterpoint Research, notes that smartwatches increasingly feature continuous monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, and sleep quality, with preventive monitoring gaining traction among younger generations.
Vishal Gondal, Founder and CEO of health-tech company GOQii, explains that fitness coaches were among the early adopters of wearable data, with doctors now increasingly trusting devices for preventive care. Dr. Sunil Khetarpal, Deputy Director General of the Association of Healthcare Providers, India, describes smartwatches and rings as tools for self-care that alert users to health deviations. This data can aid doctors in early diagnosis, enhanced by AI applications, which can potentially reduce morbidity and mortality rates.
Dr. Khetarpal emphasizes that 60% of deaths in India result from non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which require long-term treatment. He highlights how these devices can help maintain critical health information, contributing to preventative healthcare.
Data Protection
Despite the benefits of wearables, experts highlight concerns regarding the accuracy and protection of user data in India. Both GOQii and Oura assert high accuracy levels in their devices. Gondal states that GOQii’s Smart Vital range employs medical-grade sensors approved by drug regulators. Oura claims to offer up to 99% accuracy with medical-grade ECG devices and 79% agreement with polysomnography.
However, Shivangi Rai, Deputy Coordinator and Lead for technology, health and society at the Centre for Health Equity, Law and Policy, warns that wearables collect continuous data, potentially embedding surveillance into daily health behaviors. This data can reveal sensitive health insights and may be re-identified even when anonymized.
The article notes that smartwatches and rings are popular in India, with prices ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹1 lakh. The average selling price of consumer wearables is projected at ₹4,400 in 2025, with an estimated 114,000 wearable devices shipped to India, valued at $3 billion.
Rai further raises alarms about the commercial potential of health data, which may be reused or analyzed in ways users do not fully understand. Privacy breaches could lead to discrimination based on health data, such as denial of insurance claims or increased premiums. Although India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023 exists, it lacks definitions for health data or standards for anonymization, representing a significant regulatory gap.
Keep It Simple
Experts caution that wearables could expose users to cyber breaches, complicating the control and enforcement of data protection laws, especially when health data is processed abroad. Dr. Khetarpal recommends that individuals keep their wearable needs uncomplicated, focusing on tracking fundamental metrics—like blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse, and oxygen levels—alongside maintaining a healthy lifestyle to promote preventive medicine without falling into the potential pitfalls of data misuse.
Published on April 6, 2026
