The Union Cabinet has approved the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) scheme to strengthen technical institutes across India.

About MERITE Scheme

Central Sector Scheme: Funds will be transferred from the Central Government to institutions via a Central Nodal Agency.

Objectives

• Primary Aim: To “improve the quality, equity, and governance” in selected technical institutes through interventions aligned with National Education Policy 2020.
• Scheme expected to empower and provide employability to over 7.5 lakh students.

Implementation

• Target Institutions: Government engineering institutions and polytechnics across all States and UTs.
• Funding and Duration: Total budget of ₹4,200 crore over five years (2025-26 to 2029-30).
  • Half the funding will come as a World Bank loan.
• Supporting Bodies: Institutions like IITs, IIMs, and regulatory bodies such as All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Board of Accreditation(NBA) will play significant roles in implementation.

Expected Outcomes

• Academic & Institutional Outcomes: Develop digitalization strategies for States/UTs; develop guidelines for multidisciplinary programmes in technical courses; strengthen research and innovation.
• Quality and Governance: Improve quality assurance, increase accreditation, and update curricula to be market-aligned.

Key Interventions for Students and Faculty

• Student-Focused Measures: Offering internships, industry-aligned curriculum updates, and improved transition and employability rates.
• Faculty & Research Measures: Faculty development programmes, research hubs, and support for incubation and innovation centres.
• Skill & Infrastructure Support: Establish skill and maker labs, language workshops, and other capacity-building facilities.
• Administrative Capacity Building: Focus on development of future academic administrators, especially women faculty.

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