Interdisciplinary Facility "SATHI" set up at BHU
Why in News?
The Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institute (SATHI) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is recently in the news following a high-level review by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on May 10, 2026. The facility was hailed as a successful "success story" and a model for other institutions to follow.
Key Information
- Purpose: Established by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), it is a national-level shared scientific infrastructure facility that provides access to high-end instruments under one roof.
- Funding: The centre was established with a financial support of approximately ₹72 crore from the DST.
- Operating Model: It functions as a Section 8 company within the university ecosystem, ensuring a professionally managed and self-sustaining model.
- Core Facilities:
- Imaging: Super Resolution Confocal Microscopy with Live Cell Imaging.
- Spectroscopy: Advanced NMR spectroscopy systems (including 600 MHz) and Accurate Mass Spectrometry.
- Specialised Zones: Clean room facilities, electrochemical workstations, chromatography platforms, and isotope analysis systems.
- User Policy: To maximize utility, 80% of the available time is reserved for external users (other universities, MSMEs, and startups), while 20% is for internal BHU researchers.
- Location: It is housed in the Central Discovery Centre (CDC), a state-of-the-art six-floor building at the BHU campus.
- Scientific Reach: In the last two years, it has served over 800 researchers from 56 institutes across 20 states, supporting research in semiconductors, healthcare, and advanced materials.
SATHI Network in India
While BHU is a major hub, the DST's SATHI scheme initially launched three such centers at IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, and BHU, with plans to expand the network to 20 centers nationwide.
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