MERITE Scheme 2025: Funding, Significance and Outcomes

The Union Cabinet has approved the implementation of the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme across 275 technical institutions in India. This initiative aims to improve the quality, equity, and governance in technical education by aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

About MERITE Scheme

• Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

• Key Partners: Eminent educational institutions like IITs, IIMs, and regulatory bodies such as the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Board of Accreditation (NBA) will play a major role in implementation.

Institutions Covered

The MERITE Scheme will cover 275 Government/Government-aided technical institutions across all States and Union Territories, including:

• 175 engineering institutions

• 100 polytechnics

This will include:

• Selected National Institutes of Technology (NITs)

• State Engineering Institutions

• Polytechnics

• Affiliating Technical Universities (ATUs)

Additionally, State/UT technical education departments will also receive support under the scheme.

Beneficiaries

• Around 7.5 lakh students in the covered institutions will directly benefit from the scheme.

Also Read: National Education Policy

Funding for the MERITE Scheme

• Type: Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by the Central Government)

• Total Allocation: ₹4,200 crore (2025-26 to 2029-30)

• External Support: ₹2,100 crore loan assistance from the World Bank

Employment Generation & Skill Development

The MERITE Scheme focuses on enhancing employability in technical education through a multi-dimensional approach:

• Internship opportunities for students.

• Industry-aligned curriculum updates.

• Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) for skill enhancement.

• Research hubs to promote innovation.

• Incubation & innovation centres for startups.

• Skill and maker labs to encourage practical learning.

• Language workshops to improve communication skills.

Expected Outcomes of the MERITE Scheme

• Digitalisation Strategies: Development of state/UT-level digitalisation plans for technical education.

• Multidisciplinary Programs: Creation of guidelines for integrating multidisciplinary courses into technical education.

• Improved Employability: Enhanced learning and career readiness for students.

• Increased Transition Rates: Better progression of students across various levels of technical education.

• Strengthened Research Environment: Boosting research & innovation infrastructure.

• Enhanced Quality Assurance: More institutions are achieving accreditation and improved quality mechanisms.

• Labour Market-Ready Curricula: Development and rollout of blended, industry-relevant courses.

• Leadership Development: Training future academic administrators, with a focus on women faculty.

Significance of the MERITE Scheme

The MERITE Scheme is a transformative step toward modernising technical education in India. It addresses quality gaps, promotes research and innovation, and ensures industry relevance in academic programs. By integrating NEP 2020 principles, MERITE is set to bridge skill gaps, increase job readiness, and strengthen India’s position in the global knowledge economy.

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