The Union Cabinet has approved the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) scheme, a ₹4,200 crore initiative to enhance research, innovation, and employability skills in 275 technical institutes across India.
Overview
The Union Cabinet sanctioned the ₹4,200 crore MERITE scheme to elevate technical education’s quality, equity, and governance in India. The initiative targets 175 engineering colleges and 100 polytechnic institutes for implementation between 2025 and 2030.
Funding and Implementation
- Total Outlay: ₹4,200 crore
- World Bank Assistance: ₹2,100 crore loan
- Implementation Period: 5 years (2025–2030)
- Coverage: Government-run engineering institutions and polytechnics in all States and UTs
- Key Partners: IITs, IIMs, AICTE, NBA, and other regulatory bodies
Scheme Objectives
- Enhance Research and Innovation
- Establish research hubs, incubation centres, and innovation labs
- Strengthen industry-academia linkages
- Improve Employability Skills
- Update curricula to align with industry needs
- Introduce internships, skill labs, and maker spaces
- Conduct language and communication workshops
- Strengthen Governance and Quality Assurance
- Develop accreditation and quality frameworks
- Train academic administrators, with a focus on women faculty
- Promote Multidisciplinary Learning
- Develop guidelines for multidisciplinary programmes
- Encourage collaboration between engineering, management, and other disciplines
Key Outcomes Expected
- Benefit over 7.5 lakh students
- Increase accreditation rates for technical institutes
- Modernise technical curricula to be market-aligned
- Boost faculty research productivity and academic-industry linkages
- Prepare states and UTs for digital transformation in education
Government Statements
- PM Narendra Modi: The scheme will significantly boost research, innovation, and skilling in India.
- Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan: MERITE reflects the government’s commitment to transform India’s education landscape.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw: Policy interventions align closely with the National Education Policy 2020.
Background and Need
The World Bank’s 2023 appraisal report highlighted low research output and weak innovation linkages in Indian engineering institutions. The MERITE scheme aims to address these challenges by funding research facilities, faculty development programmes, and industry partnerships.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- Union Cabinet approves ₹4,200 crore MERITE scheme to enhance technical education and research in India.
- Scheme objectives include enhancing research and innovation, improving employability skills, and promoting multidisciplinary learning.
- Expected outcomes involve benefiting over 7.5 lakh students, increasing accreditation rates, and modernizing technical curricula.
- Government statements emphasize the scheme’s role in boosting research, innovation, and skilling in the country.
- MERITE scheme aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 to transform India’s education landscape.
