Free Laptop Scheme 2026-27: State-Wise Overview
Comprehensive List of Free Laptop Schemes 2026-27
| State | Scheme Name | Device | Official Portal |
| Tamil Nadu | Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil | Laptop | elcotlaptop.tn.gov.in |
| Uttar Pradesh | Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana | Tablet/Smartphone | digishakti.up.gov.in |
| Rajasthan | State Digital Device Scheme | Laptop/Tablet | rajasthan.gov.in |
| Himachal Pradesh | HP Digital Device Scheme | Laptop/Tablet | himachal.nic.in |
| Haryana | Digital Device Scheme | Tablet | haryana.gov.in |
| Andhra Pradesh | Sanction of Laptops Scheme (SOLAP) | Laptop | myscheme.gov.in |
Note: Andhra Pradesh does not currently have a general free-laptop scheme open to all students; the Sanction of Laptops Scheme specifically serves differently-abled students pursuing professional courses, run through the AP Differently Abled & Senior Citizens Assistance Corporation.
Tamil Nadu Free Laptop Scheme 2026-27 (Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil)
Tamil Nadu’s Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil is the largest and most well-funded scheme currently running, making it worth understanding in full detail. The table below covers the scheme’s key facts – who launched it, its budget, and where to go for official information before we get into eligibility and the actual distribution process.
| Particulars | Details |
| Scheme Name | Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil (The World in Your Hands) |
| Launched By | Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Tamil Nadu |
| Phase 1 Launch Date | January 5, 2026 |
| Phase 2 | March 2026 onwards (10 lakh students) |
| Budget for 2025-26 | ₹2,000 crore |
| Budget for 2026-27 | ₹2,000 crore |
| Total Budget | ₹4,000 crore |
| Total Beneficiaries | 20 lakh students over 2 years |
| Implementing Body | ELCOT (Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu) |
| Colleges Covered | 4,600+ government institutions |
| Official Portal | elcotlaptop.tn.gov.in |
| UMIS Portal | umis.tn.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria for Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil 2026-27
Not every college student in Tamil Nadu qualifies; the scheme is targeted specifically at final-year students in government and government-aided institutions. Here’s the full eligibility list for Tamil Nadu Free Laptop Scheme 2026-27:
1. Must be a permanent resident of Tamil Nadu.
2. Must be enrolled in government or government-aided colleges. Eligible streams include Arts, Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Medical, Law, ITI, and Polytechnic.
4. Must maintain a clean academic record as per institutional guidelines.
5. Priority is given to students from SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories.
6. Students from private unaided institutions are not eligible.
How to Apply for Tamil Nadu Free Laptop Scheme 2026-27
Unlike most government schemes, there’s no application form to fill here, the process runs entirely through your college, not through you.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for Tamil Nadu Free Laptop Scheme 2026-27
Step 1 – The college identifies eligible final-year students based on enrolment records and academic standing.
Step 2 – The college uploads the verified student data to the University Management and Information System (UMIS). Students are encouraged to log in to the UMIS portal (umis.tn.gov.in) to ensure their profiles are updated and their Aadhaar is linked.
Step 3 – ELCOT reviews the lists provided by the Directorate of Higher Education and finalises the number of units required for each district.
Step 4 – Approved students receive a notification from their college regarding the distribution date and venue.
Step 5 – Laptops are distributed at the college or district level through organised distribution functions.
What to Do if Your Name is Missing from the List
If you’re an eligible final-year student and haven’t heard anything about distribution, don’t assume you’ve been skipped; start by checking with your own college first
If you are a final-year student in a government college and have not received your laptop, contact the college office and ask the Nodal Officer whether your name was included in the list sent to the Higher Education Department. You can also log in to the UMIS portal using your UMIS ID to check whether your profile is complete and your data has been uploaded.
UP Free Tablet and Smartphone Scheme 2026-27 (Mission DigiShakti)
Uttar Pradesh’s scheme works differently from Tamil Nadu’s in one key respect: eligibility is based on family income rather than being a final-year student. Here are the core details before the eligibility and status-check steps:
| Particulars | Details |
| Scheme Name | Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana |
| Also Known As | Mission DigiShakti / UP Free Tablet Scheme |
| Launched By | Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh |
| Device Provided | Free tablet or smartphone |
| Estimated Total Beneficiaries | Approximately 1 crore students |
| Annual Family Income Limit | Below ₹2,00,000 |
| Official Portal | digishakti.up.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria for Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana 2026-27
This scheme casts a wider net across course types than Tamil Nadu’s, but it adds an income condition that Tamil Nadu’s scheme doesn’t have:
1. Must be a resident of Uttar Pradesh pursuing graduation, post-graduation, diploma, medical, or other professional courses.
2. Must be enrolled in a government or private college or university in Uttar Pradesh.
3. Students from other states studying in UP institutions are also eligible.
4. Annual family income must be below ₹2,00,000.
How to Get the Tablet under Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana 2026-27
As with Tamil Nadu, there’s no individual application; your institution handles the data upload on your behalf.
Students do not apply individually. Universities and colleges upload eligible students’ data (name, Aadhaar, course details) to the DigiShakti portal. Distribution is district-wise. When the distribution camp is organised in a student’s district, they are informed via SMS on their registered mobile number or via the college notice board.
How to Check Your Status for Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana
If you want to confirm your data has actually been uploaded rather than waiting for an SMS, here’s how to check directly:
1. Visit digishakti.up.gov.in and go to the Student Corner section.
2. Enter your university enrolment number to check whether your data has been uploaded.
3. Alternatively, check the beneficiary list on your college notice board.
4. When a student’s name is finalised in the UP Free Tablet Yojana List 2026, the UP Government sends an SMS to their registered mobile number with the device distribution date and time.
Documents Required for Free Laptop Schemes 2026-27
Exact requirements differ from state to state, since each scheme verifies eligibility a little differently. That said, most schemes draw from the same core set of documents, so it’s worth having these ready regardless of which state programme applies to you.
List of Documents Required for Free Laptop Schemes 2026-27
1. Aadhaar card (must be linked to the UMIS profile or state portal)
2. College or school enrolment certificate or ID card
3. Class 10 or Class 12 marksheet as applicable
4. Income certificate from a competent authority
5. Domicile or residence certificate of the state
6. Passport-size photograph
7. SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificate, if applicable
8. For Andhra Pradesh’s SOLAP scheme specifically: a disability certificate is additionally required
FAQs: Free Laptop Scheme for Students 2026-27
Is there a central government free laptop scheme for students in 2026-27?
No. There is no central government scheme by any name providing free laptops to all students in India. PIB Fact Check has repeatedly debunked viral WhatsApp and social media claims about a “PM Free Laptop Scheme,” “National Student Laptop Scheme 2026,” or similar names throughout 2026, confirming these are scams designed to collect personal information. Only state-level schemes exist.
Which is the biggest free laptop scheme for students in 2026-27?
The Tamil Nadu Government’s Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil scheme has a dedicated budget of ₹2,000 crore for 2026-27 and will cover 10 lakh students in its second phase, making it the largest active free laptop scheme for students in India in 2026-27.
How do Tamil Nadu students get the laptop in 2026-27?
Students do not apply directly. The college identifies eligible final-year students, uploads their data to the UMIS portal, and ELCOT manages the distribution. Students must ensure their UMIS profile is complete and their Aadhaar is linked. They will be notified by their college when the distribution is organised in their district.
How do UP students check their tablet distribution status in 2026-27?
Students can check their status on the DigiShakti Portal at digishakti.up.gov.in using their enrolment number, or check the beneficiary list on their college notice board.
What laptop specifications are provided under the Tamil Nadu scheme in 2026-27?
The distributed laptops are from Dell, HP, and Acer with an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, 256 GB SSD, a 14-inch or 15.6-inch HD anti-glare display, Windows 11 Home and BOSS Linux dual-boot, MS Office 365, and a one-year comprehensive warranty including the battery.
Does Andhra Pradesh have a free laptop scheme for all students?
Not currently. Andhra Pradesh’s active scheme, Sanction of Laptops (SOLAP), is specifically for differently-abled students those with visual, hearing, speech, or orthopaedic disabilities, enrolled in professional courses, and is run through the AP Differently Abled & Senior Citizens Assistance Corporation. It is not a general student laptop scheme comparable to Tamil Nadu’s or UP’s programmes.