• The Union Cabinet has approved the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme — a Central Sector Scheme designed to enhance quality, equity, and governance in technical education.
• Implemented in government engineering institutions and polytechnics in all States and UTs, the scheme has been developed in collaboration with the World Bank.
• With a total outlay of ₹4,200 crore for 2025–26 to 2029–30, half the funding (₹2,100 crore) will come as a World Bank loan. Funds will be transferred from the Central Government to participating institutions via a Central Nodal Agency.
• Eminent institutions like IITs, IIMs, and bodies such as AICTE and NBA will play key roles in implementation.
• The scheme focuses on improving employability by updating curricula to industry needs, offering internships, conducting faculty development programs, and establishing research hubs.
• It will also support incubation centers, innovation labs, skill and maker labs, and language workshops. Around 275 government and government-aided technical institutions, including selected NITs, State Engineering Institutions, Polytechnics, and Affiliating Technical Universities (ATUs), will benefit.
• State and UT technical education departments will also receive support under MERITE.