New Delhi, 19th Aug 2025: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal to operationalize the “Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERIT)” scheme. The scheme will cover 17 engineering institutions, 100 polytechnics, and 275 specialized educational institutions.
The purpose of the MERIT scheme is to improve the quality, reach, and governance of technical education across all states and Union Territories in alignment with National Education Policy 2020. Under this scheme, over the next five years, ₹4,200 crore will be spent, benefiting more than 7.5 lakh students.
In addition, the Cabinet approved continuation of subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for providing LPG connections to economically weaker sections. For the financial year 2025–26, ₹12,000 crore has been allocated for the subsidy. Beneficiaries will receive ₹300 subsidy per cylinder for up to 9 cylinders annually, and compensation of ₹30,000 crore has been approved for three public-sector oil marketing companies (IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL) to cover distribution losses.
The central government aims to enhance the quality, accessibility, and governance of vocational education under this scheme. The MERIT initiative is a central sector scheme, with expenditure planned from 2025–26 to 2029–30, totaling ₹4,200 crore, with ₹2,100 crore coming as World Bank assistance.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed the Cabinet’s approval, emphasizing that the MERIT scheme will ensure technical and vocational education is high-quality, inclusive, and effective across the country.