Union Cabinet Approves MERITE Scheme

On 8th August 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the implementation of the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) scheme in 275 institutions — 175 engineering colleges and 100 polytechnic colleges — across India.

Key Points

Scheme Overview: MERITE will operate as a Central Sector Scheme with a total outlay of Rs. 4,200 crore for 2025–26 to 2029–30, including Rs. 2,100 crore in external assistance from the World Bank as a loan.
Objective: Aims to improve the quality, equity, and governance of selected technical institutions through interventions aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Impact: The scheme will significantly boost research, innovation, and skilling in India’s education sector.