Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI)

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is initiating of setting up a shared, professionally managed, Science and Technology infrastructure facility, which can be readily be accessible to academia, start-ups, manufacturing units, industries and R&D Labs. Such S&T infrastructure will be known as Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institute (SATHI). These Centres will be equipped with major analytical instrument and advanced manufacturing facility, which is usually not available at Institutes / Organisations. The aim is to provide professionally managed services with efficiency, accessibility and transparency of highest order under one roof to service the demands of industry, start-ups and academia.

About the Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI)

Largely this scheme is focusing at:

• (a) procurement and maintenance of high-end equipment and infrastructure facility necessary for research/ testing/ manufacturing/ fabrication. To cater service by understanding the demands of researchers, scientists, students, start-ups, manufacturing units, industries and R&D Labs,
• (b) Providing access and sharing of scientific equipment and infrastructure,
• (c) Capacity Building of operators and technicians for efficient operations and interpretations of results/ outcome,
• (d) Monitoring of usage of expensive scientific research infrastructure for maximum utilization of Infrastructure Management with efficient operations and to be a part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (Self Reliant India Campaign).
• Inclusive purpose of SATHI is generation/ creation of knowledge adopting best practices of such facility, expansion of different knowledge chain that starts from R&D to applied science then to translational research side and how to take forward to next stage to gain better societal outreach.
• Perceptibly, this would encourage & ensure to create a National Network of Laboratories and testing facilities, tightly linked to global standards. Hence higher efficacy through (T2C2) focused Viz: Technology, Testing, Certification & Compliance, approach through SATHI will boost-up the manufacturing clusters / industries.
• Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) facilities will be used for 80% of their available time by External Users i.e. out-side of the Host Institutes and rest 20% of available time for Internal Users of the Host Institute. The usage of the facility will be guided by the basic principle of maximum and effective utilization and accessibility to all.
• The facilities provided by the Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) may be utilized by any user/organization on payment of nominal charges. The details about the procedure for using the facilities and the charges for sample analysis, information about short term courses/training programmes/workshops etc.
• can be obtained from the respective Heads of the SATHI or the websites of the Facilities.
• Recently DST has revamped the Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes scheme and invited proposals on consortia mode. Establishment of Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes facilities in the country through (75:25) sharing mode and consortium mode of approach with academia, research institutes, non-government organizations, S&T councils and industries from the current FY 2022-23 onward has been initiated. Through such an initiative, the selection of new SATHI facilities is under process to strengthen the R&D Infrastructure across the country.

Aims & Objectives of SATHI

• The aim of Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) is to provide a shared, professionally managed services and strong Science and Technology infrastructure / facilities, with efficiency, accessibility and transparency of highest order under one roof to service the demands of faculty, researchers, scientist and students of Host and User institutes / organisations (including other academic institutes, universities, national laboratories, start-ups, manufacturing and engineering industries, SME’s, R&D Labs) to enable them to carry out R&D activities on a round the clock basis with minimum downtime.
• Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) will have facilities for fabrication work, rapid prototyping, material testing, characterisation, new device fabrication, smart manufacturing and characterisation facilities etc., to attract and help R&D labs, industrial R&D, MSME, Incubators and Start-ups, etc.
• To organise short term courses / workshops / seminars, hands-on training programme etc. on the use and application of various instruments and techniques for both External and Internal Users / Researcher and provide the technical help and scientific knowledge to the end Users while accessing these sophisticated scientific instruments.
• To train technicians for maintenance and operation of sophisticated scientific instruments and keep a record book of these people trained with various specialised equipment available with respective centres and toengage these trained persons, while required for any other Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) Centres for better societal outreach and utilisation of these trained manpower.

Significance of the Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI)

• Access to Advanced Facilities – SATHI ensures that researchers, industries, and startups get access to high-end analytical and testing instruments, reducing dependence on foreign facilities.
• Support for Innovation and R&D – By making sophisticated equipment available, SATHI enhances scientific research, technology development, and innovation, fostering breakthroughs in various fields like healthcare, materials science, and engineering.
• Boosting Startups and MSMEs – Startups and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) benefit from affordable access to advanced testing facilities, helping them develop high-quality products and compete globally.
• Reducing Redundancy and Costs – Centralized facilities prevent unnecessary duplication of expensive scientific instruments across institutions, optimizing resource utilization and cost efficiency.
• Bridging Academia-Industry Gap – SATHI promotes collaboration between research institutions and industries, facilitating knowledge exchange and technology commercialization.
• Strengthening India’s Global Competitiveness – With world-class research infrastructure, India can attract international collaborations, funding, and talent, enhancing its status as a global research and innovation hub.

Lacunae of the Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI)

• Limited Awareness and Accessibility – Many researchers, startups, and small industries remain unaware of SATHI facilities, leading to underutilization of resources. Moreover, geographical constraints make access difficult for researchers from remote areas.
• Operational and Maintenance Challenges – Sophisticated equipment requires regular maintenance and skilled personnel for operation. Many facilities face downtime due to maintenance delays, affecting research continuity.
• Funding Constraints – While DST provides funding, sustaining operational costs and ensuring affordable access for small enterprises and academic institutions remains a challenge.
• Bureaucratic Hurdles – Lengthy approval processes and administrative delays hinder quick access to facilities, affecting time-sensitive research projects.
• Limited Industry Collaboration – Despite its objective, industry participation is still low, reducing the potential for applied research and technology commercialization.
• Equipment Redundancy and Upgradation Issues – Some institutions may have overlapping equipment, leading to inefficient resource allocation, while outdated instruments may not meet evolving research needs.

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Way Forward

To enhance SATHI’s impact, expanding its network across India, ensuring affordable access for startups and MSMEs, and fostering academia-industry collaboration is crucial. Strengthening public-private partnerships, increasing funding for advanced research, and promoting international collaborations will further boost innovation, R&D, and India’s global scientific competitiveness.

Conclusion

The Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) initiative strengthens India’s research ecosystem by providing shared high-end scientific facilities to academia, startups, and industries. It fosters innovation, enhances R&D capabilities, and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring inclusive access to advanced technology, ultimately driving scientific and economic growth for a self-reliant and technologically empowered nation.