Cabinet clears Rs 4200 crore MERITE scheme for multidisciplinary technical education reform
From the budget of total Rs 4200 crores half of it which is Rs 2100 crores will come from the World Bank as a loan highlighting the global confidence in India's educational reforms. The rest will be funded by the Central Government.WHO WILL BENEFIT?The scheme will impact around 275 government and government-aided technical institutions including,National Institutes of Technology (NITs)State Engineering CollegesPolytechnicsAffiliating Technical Universities (ATUs)Additionally, state and UT departments managing technical education will receive support. The most exciting outcome: approximately 7.5 lakh students will benefit through improved learning environments, better infrastructure, and enhanced opportunities.EXPECTED IMPACTThe MERITE scheme isn't just about buildings and equipment, it's a comprehensive push to reform how technical education is delivered and experienced. Some key expected outcomes includeAdoption of digital strategies across states and UTsNew guidelines for multidisciplinary courses, encouraging broader learningBoosted employability and skill development for studentsHigher student retention and transition rates across diverse groupsStrengthened research and innovation cultureEnhanced quality assurance and governance in technical institutionsIncreased accreditation rates and overall institutional qualityCurriculum updates aligned with industry needs, including blended learning formatsTraining and development of future academic leaders, with a focus on empowering women facultyIMPLEMENTATIONThe programme will primarily target government engineering institutions and polytechnics in every state and union territory. It will be implemented through a central nodal agency responsible for fund disbursal and coordination.Notably, premier educational institutions such as IITs and IIMs, along with key regulatory bodies like AICTE and NBA, will play a pivotal role in guiding and overseeing the scheme's rollout.HOW MERITE SCHEME WILL ENHANCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIESOne of the core goals of MERITE is to boost the employability of fresh graduates. The scheme emphasises practical, industry-relevant skills by:Providing internships and hands-on learning experiencesUpdating curricula to meet labour market demandsOrganising faculty training and development programsEstablishing research hubs, incubation centres, and innovation labsSupporting skill labs, maker spaces, and language workshopsThese initiatives are designed to improve placement rates and reduce unemployment among engineering and technical graduates, giving young professionals a stronger foothold in the competitive job market.WHY MERITE MATTERSIndia's sustainable growth depends heavily on technological progress, which in turn requires strong academic and research foundations. Innovation and research are critical to solving modern challenges, and MERITE seeks to create a lasting impact by fostering an environment where these can flourish.The scheme's design is deeply rooted in the reforms proposed by the National Education Policy 2020, addressing curriculum modernization, pedagogy, multidisciplinary integration, faculty development, gender equity, and digital inclusion.STATE AND UT COLLABORATIONadvertisementSuccessful implementation of MERITE depends on close collaboration with state and union territory governments. Their input has been invaluable in shaping the scheme, ensuring it meets local needs and maximises impact.The MERITE scheme is a bold step toward revolutionising technical education in India. By investing in quality, equity, and governance, it promises to nurture a new generation of skilled professionals ready to drive the country's future growth.With strong backing from the government and international partners like the World Bank, MERITE could well be a game-changer in shaping India's educational landscape over the next five years.- Ends
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