What is MERITE Scheme (2025–30) | Understand MERITE Scheme in 2 Minutes
The Union Cabinet approved the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme for 275 technical institutions (175 engineering + 100 polytechnics).
About the MERITE Scheme
- Objective → Improve quality, equity & governance in technical education (aligned with NEP 2020).
- Collaboration → With World Bank.
- Nodal Ministry → Ministry of Education.
- Type → Central Sector Scheme.
- Budget → ₹4,200 crore (2025–30)
- ₹2,100 crore external loan (World Bank).
Beneficiaries of MERITE Scheme
- 275 Govt/Govt-aided institutions → NITs, State Engineering Institutes, Polytechnics, ATUs.
- State/UT technical education departments were also supported.
- ~7.5 lakh students to benefit.
Key Benefits & Features of MERITE Scheme:
- Digitalisation strategies for states/UTs.
- Guidelines for multidisciplinary technical programs.
- Enhanced learning & employability skills.
- Better transition rates across student groups.
- Strengthened research & innovation ecosystem.
- Improved quality assurance, accreditation & governance.
- Labour market-aligned curriculum + blended courses.
- Development of future academic administrators, esp. women faculty.