Government Approves MERITE Scheme to Promote Technical Education and Research

Why in news ?

• There has been a long-standing need to strengthen the quality, innovation capacity, and employability skills in technical education in India.
• A recent World Bank report (2023) highlighted the lack of research output in Indian engineering institutions and weak industry-academia collaboration.
• In this context, the government has approved the MERITE scheme (Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education) to promote technical education reform and multidisciplinary research.

Introduction to MERITE Scheme:

• The Union Cabinet approved the ₹4,200 crore MERITE scheme for 275 technical institutions across India to enhance research, innovation, and employability skills.
• The scheme will be implemented over five years from 2025-26 to 2029-30 and will cover 175 engineering colleges and 100 polytechnic institutes.

Key Objectives:

• Improve quality, equity, and governance in technical education.
• Promote research and innovation.
• Strengthen industry-academia linkages.
• Modernize employability skills in line with industry requirements.
• Encourage multidisciplinary education and collaboration.

Funding and Implementation:

Major Goals of the Scheme:

1. Promote Research and Innovation
   • Establish research centers, incubation hubs, and innovation laboratories.
2. Strengthen Industry-Academia Collaboration
   • Update curriculum to align with industry needs.
   • Provide internships, skill labs, and makerspaces.
3. Improve Governance and Quality Assurance
   • Develop accreditation and quality frameworks.
   • Train academic administrators with a focus on female faculty.
4. Encourage Multidisciplinary Education
   • Facilitate collaboration between engineering, management, and other disciplines.
   • Prepare guidelines for multidisciplinary courses.
5. Communication and Language Skills
   • Conduct workshops for students and faculty.

Expected Key Outcomes:

• Direct benefit to over 750,000 students.
• Increase in accreditation rates for technical institutions.
• Modernization of technical courses to meet market requirements.
• Improved faculty research productivity and industry linkages.
• Enhanced readiness for digital education transformation across states and UTs.

Government Statements:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “This scheme is a significant step to enhance research, innovation, and skills in India.”
• Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan: “The MERITE scheme reflects the government’s commitment to transforming the education landscape.”
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw: “This initiative aligns closely with the perspective of the National Education Policy 2020.”

Background and Need:

• The 2023 World Bank evaluation report revealed low research output and weak innovation linkages in India’s technical institutions.
• The MERITE scheme addresses these challenges by:
  • Establishing research facilities.
  • Enhancing faculty expertise through development programs.
  • Providing financial support for industry partnerships.

This scheme will strengthen India’s technical education framework to meet international standards and increase opportunities for research, innovation, and employment for both students and faculty.