Archive · 20 Aug 2025
Government Cuts AICTE Funding, Affecting Scholarships
Imagine the government giving money to schools and colleges.
The government decided to reduce how much money it gives to AICTE (a group that helps technical schools) by a lot.
AICTE has 61% less money now.
This affects scholarships, like less money for students.
Even though there is less money, the government is starting new programs for research and better learning.
The government is also building new centers to improve education in different fields.
This creates a situation where some programs get less support while the government is creating new opportunities.
AICTE funding dropped by 61% between 2022-23 and 2024-25, as revealed in the Rajya Sabha.
Student scholarships via AICTE also decreased, with an 18% drop from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
The government has launched new schemes like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and MERITE.
The MERITE scheme is planned for 275 technical institutions between 2025-26 and 2029-30.
The government has also approved Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.
- Who
- Minister of State for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar provided the information.
- What
- AICTE funding and student scholarships are being cut.
- When
- Funding cuts occurred between 2022-23 and 2024-25; Scholarship cuts were noted from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
- Where
- Information was revealed in the Rajya Sabha.
- Why
- The article does not explicitly state the reasons for the funding cuts.
Concerns
Government Initiatives
Funding Priorities
Concerns
Decreased funding to AICTE and student scholarships.
Government Initiatives
Government is also initiating several new schemes in higher education.
- AICTE Funding 2022-23
- Rs 420 crore
- AICTE Funding 2024-25
- Rs 137.5 crore
- Scholarship Expenditure 2021-22
- Rs 387.13 crore
- Scholarship Expenditure 2023-24
- Rs 284.32 crore
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation budget
- Rs 50,000 crore
- MERITE Scheme Outlay
- Rs 4,200 crore