- Free laptops for eligible college students pursuing higher education.
- The government has allocated ₹2,000 crore for the scheme.
- Contact details will be updated once the scheme is launched.
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Summary of the Scheme
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| Name of Scheme | Tamil Nadu Vetri Laptop Scheme |
| Launch Year | 2026 (announced in Budget 2026-27, implementation ordered on 7th November 2026) |
| Benefits | Free laptop for eligible college, polytechnic and ITI students. Engineering students will get laptops with Intel Core i5 or higher equivalent processor. |
| Beneficiary | First and second year UG and diploma students of Government and Government-aided colleges in Tamil Nadu for academic year 2026-27, along with left-out third and fourth year professional course students. |
| Budget Allocation | ₹2,000 crore for financial year 2026-27. |
| Procurement Agency | Tamil Nadu Electronics Corporation (ELCOT). |
| Monitoring | High-Level Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Minister. |
| Subscription | Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme |
| Mode of Apply | Not announced yet. Distribution is expected to be done through the student’s college. |
Tamil Nadu Vetri Laptop Scheme: Free Laptops for College, Polytechnic and ITI Students
A laptop is now close to essential for assignments, online classes and skill courses, but many families can’t easily afford one. Tamil Nadu’s Vetri Laptop Scheme will give eligible students a free laptop, backed by ₹2,000 crore in the 2026-27 budget.
There is nothing to apply for yet. The government ordered implementation on 7 November 2026 and issued guidelines, but the distribution schedule and the process for students haven’t been announced. Distribution is expected to run through your college. Don’t pay a fee or fill in a form on any website claiming to register you.
What is the scheme?
Finance Minister Dr. N. Marie Wilson announced it on 5 August 2026, in the first budget of the TVK-led government under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The budget speech called a laptop an indispensable IT device for students in higher education. On 7 November 2026, the Chief Minister ordered the rollout. The government gave administrative approval for 2026-27 and approved the Tamil Nadu Electronics Corporation (ELCOT) to buy the laptops while keeping to quality standards. A High-Level Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Minister will monitor the scheme.
It continues the earlier Tamil Nadu Free Laptop Scheme, also run through ELCOT. Its aim is to help students from economically weaker and middle-income families build technical skills, join skill training, attend online classes and improve job prospects.
Scheme at a glance
| Benefit | Free laptop |
| Budget (2026-27) | ₹2,000 crore |
| Who benefits | First and second year UG and diploma students in Government and Government-aided colleges, plus some left-out third and fourth year professional students |
| Procurement | ELCOT |
| Mode of application | Not announced; expected through the college |
| Contact | Your college office or Principal; no helpline yet |
What will students get?
- A laptop at no cost
- Engineering students: a higher-specification laptop with an Intel Core i5 or higher equivalent processor
- Equal access to digital learning for assignments, projects, research, online learning and career-oriented courses
Who is covered?
- Students in a Government or Government-aided college, polytechnic or ITI in Tamil Nadu
- First or second year of an Undergraduate or Diploma course in 2026-27
- Third and fourth year students of professional courses in Government or Government-aided colleges who did not get a laptop in 2025-26
Streams covered: Arts and Science, Engineering, Polytechnic, ITI, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Fisheries, Agriculture and Law.
Students of self-financing (private) colleges aren’t mentioned in the announced guidelines. There is no mention of an income limit in the source.
Documents
No official list has been released. Under the earlier scheme, student details were verified through the college. You may be asked for:
- Aadhaar card
- College ID card or bonafide certificate
- Proof of admission in the current year
- Proof of residence in Tamil Nadu
- Mobile number and email ID
- Previous educational qualification documents
What to do now
- Stay in touch with your college office or Principal about the student list and distribution date.
- Make sure your name, Aadhaar, course and year are correct in the college records.
- Ignore unofficial sites or links asking for fees or registration.
Need help?
Ask your college office or Principal. Official helpline details will be announced later. The scheme is run through the Tamil Nadu Electronics Corporation (ELCOT).
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same as the earlier free laptop scheme?
It continues that scheme, which was also run through ELCOT.
When do applications open?
Not announced. Students did not need to apply individually under the earlier scheme, and distribution went through colleges.
What is the budget?
₹2,000 crore for 2026-27.
Will school students get laptops?
The announced guidelines cover college, polytechnic and ITI students only.