By Pavan Sharma 
In a transformative move, the Cabinet approves Budgetary Support for Multidisciplinary Education and Research improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme with an outlay of Rs.4200 crore, marking a significant leap in India’s technical education landscape. This visionary scheme aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and is set to revamp 275 engineering and polytechnic institutions across the country.
What is MERITE?
The Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme with an ambitious financial outlay of ₹4200 crore, including ₹2100 crore in World Bank assistance. The Cabinet’s approval of budgetary support under this scheme shows a strong commitment to raising the quality, equity, and governance in technical education nationwide.
Scope and Reach of the Scheme
Cabinet approves Budgetary Support for Multidisciplinary Education and Research improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme with an outlay of Rs.4200 crore, covering:
- 175 Government engineering colleges
- 100 Polytechnics
- National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
- State Engineering Institutions
- Affiliating Technical Universities (ATUs)
An estimated 7.5 lakh students will directly benefit, making it one of the largest-scale interventions in India’s technical education sector.
Key Benefits and Features
The MERITE Scheme is built around several innovative and impactful features:
- Digital transformation of technical institutions
- Introduction of multidisciplinary technical programs
- Improved learning outcomes and employability
- Increased student transition rates
- Strengthened research and innovation ecosystems
- Enhanced institutional accreditation and quality assurance
Clearly, the Cabinet approves Budgetary Support for Multidisciplinary Education and Research improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme with an outlay of Rs.4200 crore not just for infrastructure but for deep-rooted academic reforms.
Employment Generation and Industry Readiness
A major focus of the MERITE Scheme is employment generation. To tackle the skill-employment gap, the scheme includes:
- Internships aligned with industry demands
- Revised and industry-integrated curriculum
- Faculty training and leadership development
- Support for innovation hubs, maker labs, and language enhancement workshops
These measures aim to boost placement rates among technical graduates and reduce youth unemployment in engineering fields.
Implementation Strategy
The scheme will be centrally implemented through a Central Nodal Agency. Funds will be directly transferred from the Central Government to participating institutions. Eminent bodies such as IITs, IIMs, AICTE, and NBA will contribute to implementation through guidance, benchmarking, and academic oversight.
Once again, the Cabinet approves Budgetary Support for Multidisciplinary Education and Research improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme with an outlay of Rs.4200 crore with a clear and transparent implementation roadmap.
Long-Term Impact
With its robust vision, the MERITE Scheme aims to:
- Modernize India’s technical education
- Empower faculty and women educators
- Create an inclusive and multidisciplinary education framework
- Bridge the digital divide and promote innovation
It’s a stepping stone towards India’s dream of becoming a global education and innovation powerhouse.
The fact that the Cabinet approves Budgetary Support for Multidisciplinary Education and Research improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme with an outlay of Rs.4200 crore is a testament to the government’s long-term strategy for a future-ready education system. With student-centric reforms, industry collaboration, and global partnerships, MERITE promises to be a landmark scheme that will shape India’s technical education for the next generation.
Read Also :-