What is I-STEM?

About I-STEM

• I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map) is an initiative of the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India.
• It is developed with the concept “One Nation One Portal” for the scientific community, aimed at “Linking Researchers and Resources”.
• It assists users to locate the specific facility they need for their R&D work and identify the one that is either located closest to them or available the soonest.
• The organisation, acting as custodian of the facility may charge the fee for running and maintaining the resources beyond the Project Duration.
• A panel of Experts will be formed in due course to assist the users by providing information to optimally utilise resources available through I-STEM’s S&T Chat Room.
• A Digital Catalogue of Technologies and Technologies Products mandated by the Empowered Technology Group is an integral part of the I-STEM web portal.
• A platform for conducting and hosting industry challenges as mandated by the Empowered Technology Group (ETG) is being developed for Start-ups and Academia for making India “Aatmnirbhar”.
• Through a recent GoI directive, institutions with R&D facilities funded by agencies of the GoI are now mandated to list these facilities on the I-STEM Portal.
• I-STEM protects the IP involved in building the I-STEM Portal, a provisional patent application entitled, "A method and process for efficient use of geographically dispersed resources", has been filed with the Indian Patent Office.

Q1) What is Project Samavesha?

The Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, is launching a major project called ‘Samavesha’ to revolutionize research collaboration in India by enhancing accessibility to facilities and labs. The project is working towards optimizing resource utilization nationwide. I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map) is planning to conduct around 50 ‘Samavesha’ across India during 2024.

Source: I-STEM to launch Samavesha project on January 16 at IISc Bengaluru to connect researchers with labs and equipment