I-STEM

Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map

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Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

♦ What is I-STEM?

The Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM) is a national web portal developed with the concept “One Nation One Portal” for the scientific community, aimed at “Linking Researchers and Resources”.It was developed during the last one year as an initiative of the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), IISc, and funded by the Office of the PSA, GoI. The I-STEM Web Portal is the gateway for researchers to locate the specific facility(ies) they need for their R&D work and identify the one that is either located closest to them or available the soonest

♦ Who can use I-STEM?

The I-STEM Web Portal isavailable to the researchers from India and abroad.

♦ What should I do if the equipment which I know is available in particular institution but not listed to I-STEM portal?

You must request the head of institution (through email putting in cc to I-STEM nodal centre) to register it on the portal immediately, as it is mandated by the Govt. agencies.

♦ My Company is having research facilities which are under-utilized. Can I list it here and get users for that?

Yes, this portal is meant to support needy researcher, but to register a company at this portal will available through the yearly membership fee.

♦ My company provides service for the research equipment. Can I take the membership of this I-STEM portal and offer services through this portal?

Yes. Please contact National Coordinator for I-STEM.

♦ Is registration on portal is mandatory to use the portal?

For searching the equipment registration is not mandatory. But for booking the equipment one should be registered on the portal.

♦ Why are my social media details asked in this portal?

Social media is a strong tool now a days which help in bringing researchers closer to each other.

♦ Is Aadhaarnumber mandatory?

No, It is not mandatory.

♦ I am a custodian of facility. Is it necessary to register as a user to use my own equipment?

Yes, Custodian is meant to provide services to the needy researchers. But for own purpose and make a record of usage, custodian must register as public user to use their own equipment.

♦ Is it chargeable to use the equipment listed on this portal?

Yes. The facilities will be available on pay and use basis. The charges will be the prerogative of individual institution to decide it.

♦ What should I do if I am over-charged for using the services?

You must put your remark when you send the feedback. Providing Feedback is necessary for each job/FBR from both user as well as operator/technologist.

♦ If I register on this portal can I also use equipment available in international universities?

♦ What is the status shown with the equipment details?

It is the availability status of the equipment for the current day.

♦ How do I know whether the equipment is available for booking i have done on the portal?

Usually it will be available unless it is down for scheduled maintenance or repair. As long as it is not marked down for scheduled maintenance it will be available for booking.

♦ I am a registered user and I want to change my mobile number/email id. Is it possible?

Yes. It is possible through profile update.

♦ How can I report an issue I faced with the equipment?

Please visit the help section on the portal after logged in to the portal. There is an option to report the grievances also. You may get support from nodal centre using toll free number.

♦ What is the timeline to get responses about a grievance I reported?

It depends on concerned person’s availability and type of grievance faced. Usually it should not take more than a week.

♦ My reason is not listed on grievance page.How do I report it?

You may do it by selecting the option 'other' in the reason list.

♦ Is Aadhaar no mandatory here also?

It depends on concerned person’s availability and any requirements to be fulfilled for the approval.

♦ A Funding agency of our institution is not listed to the portal.

You may request your institution representative to add the same. If it’s a govt. funding agency, then it will be approved by nodal centre. if it is internal funding/Institution, it does not need any approval.

♦ Equipment status shows available but if I try to book on a later date it says unavailable.

It may be because of scheduled maintenance in that period.

♦ Can I reschedule/cancel the booking request?

Yes, you may cancel if the slot is not allocated and you have not paid for it. If slot is allocated and payment is done, then please contact operator/technologist well in advance i.e. at least 48 hrs before (on working days). The payment made to the Institution is non-refundable which may be reuse for other bookings, in case of breakdown of equipment or cancellation due to unavoidable circumstances.

♦ What is FBR Status?

FBR is Facility Booking Record generated once booking is made on any equipment. The unique 10-digits FBR number will be assigned each time to the user for record purpose. This may be used to check the current status of booking request even without login to the I-STEM portal.

♦ Can I receive invoice after the payment?

Yes, Invoice and receipt for online payment will be made available for each request. It may be downloaded any time from the portal after the login.

♦ Can I claim the money from the Institution from where I belong using the Invoice generated online?

Yes, the invoice generated is computerized bill and does not require any signature of custodian. It can be claimed if Institution is willing to pay/reimburse for it.

♦ Institution is receiving emails regarding updates of user/usage rates on I-STEM portal. What exactly needs to be done?

I-STEM portal keeps sending the remainders time to time to the Institution’s custodians regarding incomplete data on the portal. Institution Representatives/Custodians are expected to instructs the concerned staff/employees associated with the portal for the followings:

1.       Equipment Calendar (available and booked for internal and external users), 
2.      Description of the Equipment for users to view (if not done so)/Upload pic of the equipment
3.      Status of the Equipment
4.      Usage rate for each equipment in various categories (if not assigned),  
5.      New Equipment procured in any department but not added
6.      ECS form (signed by the Bank manager and head of Institution), if not done so
7.      Mapping of equipment with tool operators/technologists
8.      Execution of the job/service request received from internal/external users and showing status as “pending”
9.      Linking each faculty/Master students/researchers etc of Science, Medical and Engineering Branches.
10.  New products/technologies developed/designed/patented must be a part of the digital catalogue at I-STEM

In case, If one has any query may contact us. Also on request a separate demo may be arranged to the regular one which is being conducted on Tuesday and Thursday (3.30pm onwards).

♦ I am unable to connect to the I-STEM COMSOL license server. How do I fix it?

Once the user has got approval for COMSOL usage, server details are sent to them. If a user is unable to connect to the license server, it would usually issue with Firewall at the institution or proxy server settings. We would suggest trying to connect using mobile data when you face such an issue, if it doesn't work even on Mobile data, then report to the I-STEM Team. If it works on mobile data but not on LAN then the user has to contact their network support team to allow our server IP and port number through the proxy and firewall, whichever applicable.

♦ We want to conduct online events using I-STEM Webex. How do we get the access for the same?

Kindly visit the I-STEM website to “register your events”. Once it is registered, you will be informed about Webex credentials and its access.

The Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM) is an interactive web portal designed to accelerate scientific progress in India. This initiative, conceived and supported by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, creates a centralized platform for sharing publicly funded R&D equipment and facilities across various institutions throughout the country.

Resources

18004253281 (customer care)
notification-portal@istem.gov.in