Why in the News?
The Union Cabinet has approved the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme for implementation in 275 technical institutions across India.
About MERITE Scheme:
- Objective: Enhance quality, equity, and governance in technical education across all States and Union Territories, aligned with National Education Policy 2020.
- Funding: Central Sector Scheme with ₹4,200 crore outlay (2025–26 to 2029–30), including ₹2,100 crore as World Bank loan.
- Beneficiaries: About 7.5 lakh students; aims to boost institutional capacity in technical education.
- Collaborations: Works with Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management, All India Council for Technical Education, and National Board of Accreditation for implementation support.
Key Features:
- Institutional Coverage: Includes National Institutes of Technology, State Engineering Colleges, Polytechnics, and Affiliating Technical Universities.
- Fund Transfer: Direct funding from a Central Nodal Agency to institutions.
- Academic Focus: Multidisciplinary programs, updated curriculum, faculty training.
- Gender Inclusion: Special programs for women faculty and reducing gender disparity.
- Skill Alignment: Launch of labour market-oriented courses and blended learning models.
| [UPSC 2018] With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements:
1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. 2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy. 3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Options: (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only* (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
