Union Cabinet approves MERITE Scheme

The Union Cabinet has approved the implementation of the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme, a new Central Sector Scheme designed to enhance the quality, equity, and governance of technical education across India. The scheme will run for five years, from FY 2025-26 to 2029-30, with a total financial outlay of ₹4,200 crore.

Key Features of the MERITE Scheme:

• Scope: The scheme will support an estimated 275 government and government-aided technical institutions, including 175 engineering colleges and 100 polytechnics. This selection will include National Institutes of Technology (NITs), State Engineering Colleges, Polytechnics, and Affiliating Technical Universities (ATUs).
• Funding: Half of the total financial outlay, or ₹2,100 crore, will be provided as a loan from the World Bank. The remaining amount will be borne by the government.
• Alignment with NEP-2020: The interventions are directly aligned with the National Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020), focusing on several key reform areas:
  • Curriculum and Pedagogy: Revamping curricula to be multidisciplinary, modern, and aligned with industry needs. This includes developing blended courses and providing internship opportunities.
  • Research and Innovation: Strengthening the research ecosystem by setting up research hubs, innovation centers, and maker labs.
  • Faculty Development: Organizing training programs to upgrade the skills of faculty members and developing a new generation of academic administrators, with a special focus on empowering women.
  • Employability and Skills: Increasing the employability of students through hands-on learning, skill labs, and language workshops, which aims to benefit approximately 7.5 lakh students.
• Implementation: The scheme will be managed by a Central Nodal Agency, with support from premier institutions like the IITs and IIMs, and regulatory bodies such as the AICTE and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). The states and Union Territories will also be key stakeholders in the implementation process.

(Source: PIB)