- Union Cabinet approves MERITE Scheme to boost technical education nationwide.
- Rs. 4,200 crore allocated with World Bank loan support of Rs. 2,100 crore.
- 275 institutions including engineering colleges and polytechnics to benefit, impacting 7.5 lakh students.
MERITE Scheme is a new plan approved by the Union Cabinet to improve technical education across India. This scheme matches the National Education Policy 2020 and aims to upgrade infrastructure, quality, and access for technical institutions. With a total budget of Rs. 4,200 crore and support from the World Bank, the MERITE Scheme promises to uplift government and government-aided engineering colleges and polytechnics across the country.
Key Features of the MERITE Scheme
The MERITE Scheme is made to strengthen technical education by providing financial and institutional support over five years from 2025-26 to 2029-30. It focuses on improving education quality, infrastructure development, and capacity building in technical institutions. The scheme’s goals include increasing the employability of graduates and matching technical education with industry needs.
Institutions and Students Benefiting from MERITE
A total of 275 institutions will get support under the MERITE Scheme. This includes 175 engineering colleges and 100 polytechnics, all government or government-aided. Well-known institutions like National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and state engineering colleges will also benefit. The scheme is expected to help about 7.5 lakh students by providing better learning environments and opportunities.
Funding and Support Structure Under MERITE
The scheme has a total budget of Rs. 4,200 crore. Half of this amount, Rs. 2,100 crore, will come as a loan from the World Bank, while the rest will be provided by the Indian government. This financial setup gives strong support for developing and modernizing technical education institutions. Also, state technical education departments will get help to carry out the scheme well.
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Alignment with National Education Policy 2020
The MERITE Scheme closely matches the goals of the National Education Policy 2020, which focuses on quality, fairness, and access in education. By focusing on technical education, the scheme supports NEP-2020’s vision of creating a skilled workforce ready to meet the needs of a fast-changing economy. It encourages innovation, research, and industry collaboration within technical institutions.
Implementation Timeline and Coverage
The scheme will run for five years, starting from the financial year 2025-26 and continuing until 2029-30. It covers all states and union territories, making sure it reaches the whole country. This wide coverage aims to reduce regional differences in technical education quality and infrastructure.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Budget | Rs. 4,200 crore |
| World Bank Loan | Rs. 2,100 crore |
| Duration | 2025-26 to 2029-30 |
| Institutions Supported | 275 (175 engineering colleges, 100 polytechnics) |
| Students Benefited | Approx. 7.5 lakh |
| Coverage | All states and union territories |
With the MERITE Scheme, you can expect big improvements in technical education infrastructure and quality across India. This plan will help create a skilled workforce ready to contribute to the country’s growth and development. For more details, you can visit the official Ministry of Education website at education.gov.in.