Parliament Question: Academic convergence and impact assessment

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3479 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 ACADEMIC CONVERGENCE AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 3479 SHRI SADANAND MHALU SHET TANAVADE: SMT. SEEMA DWIVEDI: SHRI RAJIB BHATTACHARJEE: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) specific research objective stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Government and Ambedkar University; (b) manner in which the partnerships with institutions like Jamia Hamdard and Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) enhance the impact of the Ministry's credit programmes; (c) whether Government has initiated specific studies to assess the socio-economic impact of its infrastructure interventions in priority sectors like health and education; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of financial and technical contributions expected from the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) following the MoU signed in January, 2026? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU) (a): The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi (AUD). The MoU aims to establish a framework of cooperation and outline the terms and conditions governing collaboration between the two institutions in specified areas. Under this arrangement, NMDFC may seek expert advice, consultancy services, and academic support from AUD in the identified domains of collaboration.(b): Partnerships with institutions such as Jamia Hamdard and the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) are designed to enhance the outreach and effectiveness of NMDFC’s loan programmes. Under these MoUs, key collaborative activities include promoting entrepreneurship, identifying potential entrepreneurs through DICCI’s network, and organizing awareness programmes, training, and skill development workshops. The initiatives also provide mentorship support and facilitate market linkages, thereby improving access to finance, strengthening capacity building, and fostering sustainable self-employment opportunities for targeted communities. (c) & (d): An evaluation study by NITI Aayog, on the impact of Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) scheme of Ministry of Minority Affairs for Infrastructure development, during 2020–21, indicates that the Scheme has been effective in addressing development deficits in identified areas and has significantly contributed to the creation and upgradation of infrastructure, including classrooms, hostels, Community & Primary Health Centres, ITIs, polytechnics and skill training centres. PMJVK is being implemented in all districts of the country. (e): NMDFC & NSIC have signed a non-financial MoU, wherein NSIC’s role is limited to technical and facilitation support, which includes enrolling NMDFC beneficiaries on MSME Global Mart, on boarding on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Initiative, AI-enabled cataloguing, skill development & entrepreneurship training, credit scheme promotion, testing/certification support for exporters, running NMDFC banners on its portal and forming a Joint Coordination Committee for seamless beneficiary handholding. *****