Cabinet Approves ₹4,200 Crore MERITE Scheme to Boost Research, Innovation in Technical Education: PM Modi

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the ₹4,200 crore MERITE scheme to enhance technical education quality, research, and employability in 275 institutions, benefiting 7.5 lakh students over five years.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) scheme with a total outlay of ₹4,200 crore, aiming to enhance the quality, equity, and governance in technical education across the country.

Announcing the decision, PM Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “Research, innovation and skilling will be significantly boosted with this Cabinet decision to support ‘Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education.’”

Under the five-year scheme (2025–26 to 2029–30), 275 government and government-aided technical institutions — including 175 engineering colleges and 100 polytechnics — will be supported. About 7.5 lakh students are expected to benefit. The initiative will be implemented as a Central Sector Scheme, with ₹2,100 crore coming as external assistance from the World Bank.

Key Features of MERITE Scheme

Support to National Institutes of Technology (NITs), state engineering institutions, polytechnics, and affiliating technical universities.

Digitalisation strategies and guidelines for multidisciplinary programmes in technical courses.

Enhanced research and innovation environment.

Labour market-aligned curricula and blended courses.

Focus on faculty development, particularly for women, and creation of future academic leaders.

The scheme will involve IITs, IIMs, AICTE, NBA and other regulatory bodies in implementation, with States and Union Territories as key stakeholders.

According to the government, the initiative will boost employability by promoting internships, updating curricula, setting up research hubs, incubation centres, and skill labs, thereby improving placement rates and reducing unemployment among engineering graduates.

The MERITE scheme aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 and is designed to address issues such as gender gaps, digital divide, and outdated pedagogy in technical education.