The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to implement the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) scheme in 275 institutions across the country – 175 engineering institutes and 100 polytechnic colleges – Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a Cabinet briefing on Friday (August 8, 2025).
A government statement said MERITE would work as a Central Sector Scheme with a total financial implication of ₹4,200 crore to be spent in five years, between 2025-26 and 2029-30, adding that ₹2,100 crore will come as an external assistance from the World Bank in the form of a loan.
The Education Ministry, in its statement, said the scheme is meant to “improve the quality, equity, and governance” in the selected technical institutes by interventions aligned with the National Education Policy 2020.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the scheme and posted on X, saying, “Research, innovation and skilling will be significantly boosted with this Cabinet decision to support ‘Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education’.”
Education Minister Dharmender Pradhan said the scheme will empower and provide employability to over 7.5 lakh students in India, adding, “Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji has placed unprecedented focus on transforming and revolutionising India’s education landscape.”
