News: The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for implementation of the ‘Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education’ (MERITE) Scheme in 275 technical institutions comprising 175 engineering institutions and 100 polytechnics.
About MERITE Scheme
- It is a key initiative aimed at enhancing the quality, equity and governance of the participating technical institutions.
- Full Name: Multidisciplinary Education and Research improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme
- Objective: The objective of the scheme is to improve the quality, equity and governance in technical education covering all States/UTs by implementing interventions aligned with the National Educational Policy-2020 (NEP-2020).
- Collaboration: The scheme has been formulated in collaboration with the World Bank.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education
- Type: Central Sector Scheme
- Budget and timeline: The scheme will has a total financial implication of Rs.4200 crore for a period from 2025-26 to 2029-30.
- Out of Rs.4200 crore, there will be an external assistance of Rs.2100 crore from World Bank as loan.
- Beneficiaries
- It will be implemented in in 275 technical institutions comprising 175 engineering institutions and 100 polytechnics.
- An estimated 275 Government/ Government-aided technical institutions are expected to be selected and supported under the scheme.
- This will include selected National Institutes of Technology (NITs), State Engineering Institutions, Polytechnics and Affiliating Technical Universities (ATUs).
- The State/ UT departments handling technical education sector will also be supported through MERITE scheme.
- About 7.5 Lakh Students will be benefitted from the Scheme.
- Benefits
- Digitalization strategies in participating States/ UTs,
- Development of guidelines for multidisciplinary programs among technical courses,
- Increase in learning and employability skills of students,
- Increase in transition rate of students across student groups,
- Strengthened research and innovation environment,
- Better quality assurance and governance mechanisms resulting in long term benefits,
- Increase in accreditation and better Technical Education Institution – level Quality Assurance,
- Relevant, labour market-aligned curriculums and blended courses developed and rolled out and
- Development of future academic administrators especially women faculty.
