Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities

The Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIF) is a flagship programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), initiated in 1974 under the name Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centres (RSIC). The programme was renamed as SAIF in 2002–03 to better reflect its national scope and evolving mandate. The SAIF Programme aims to provide access to state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation to researchers across India, particularly those from institutions lacking such high-end infrastructure.

The core objective of the scheme is to support inclusive and equitable access to advanced scientific instrumentation, thereby enabling quality research, enhancing analytical capabilities, and promoting R&D excellence in the country. The facilities also promote interdisciplinary research, industry collaboration, and training of scientific personnel in sophisticated techniques.

Currently, 15 SAIF Centres are operational across premier academic and research institutions, including:

• IIT Madras, Chennai
• IIT Bombay, Mumbai
• CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow
• Panjab University, Chandigarh
• NEHU, Shillong
• IISc, Bangalore
• AIIMS, New Delhi
• Guwahati University, Guwahati
• Charutar Vidya Mandal (CVM), Vallabh Vidyanagar
• STIC, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
• Shivaji University, Kolhapur
• IIEST, Shibpur
• IIT Patna
• Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
• Karnatak University, Dharwad

These Centres host high-end analytical instruments such as NMR, SEM, TEM, HR-MS, XRD, EPR, EPMA, Thermal Analysis Systems, and more — many of which are otherwise unaffordable or inaccessible to individual institutions.
The programme continually supports upgradation and capacity enhancement of the Centres in line with global advancements. Over the years, SAIF has emerged as a vital national infrastructure for capacity building, advanced scientific research, technical skill development, and innovation support. The facilities are widely utilized by researchers from academia, national laboratories, startups, and industries.

Objectives of the SAIFs

• To carryout analysis of samples received from the institutions/ industries/ individuals etc.
• To provide services of facilities of sophisticated analytical instruments to scientists and academicians from academic institutes, R&D laboratories and industries to enable them to carry out analysis/characterization/measurement for R&D work.
• To acquire and develop capability for preventive maintenance, testing and repair of sophisticated instruments
• To organize short term courses/ workshops/ seminars etc. on the use and applications of various instruments and techniques for research students, teachers and personnel from other laboratories, universities and industries
• To train technicians for maintenance and operation of sophisticated instruments
• To promote and practice in projects aimed at the development of prototypes of sophisticated instruments or to augment the capabilities of existing instruments.

SAIFs across the country

Presently there are 15 SAIF Centres functioning across the country and they are located as the map given below: -

These SAIF Centres are equipped with a wide range of sophisticated analytical instruments to cater to the needs of researchers across various disciplines of Science and Technology. Researchers from academic institutions, industrial R&D labs, MSMEs, start-ups, and other industry stakeholders can avail the services of these facilities by paying nominal user charges.

Access to these facilities can be obtained through the I-STEM web portal https://www.istem.gov.in or directly via the SAIF portal at https://saifora.iitb.ac.in/crnts/Online_Ext_Reg/Web_Portal_DST_SAIF/index.jsp.  

General Information

The facilities provided by the SAIF Centres are open to all users and organizations on payment of nominal charges. Detailed information regarding the procedure for availing services, sample analysis charges, and schedules of short-term courses, training programmes, and workshops can be obtained from the respective SAIF Centre Heads or through respective websites of the SAIF centres.