Chennai, March 4: The Tamil Nadu government is set to complete the first phase of its ambitious free laptop distribution initiative for college students in the coming weeks. Over 937,000 students across the state have already received laptops.
Launched as part of the 2025-26 state budget, the initiative, named “Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil” (The World in Your Hands), was announced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The program aims to bridge the digital divide and enhance digital access among students in higher education.
The goal is to distribute 2 million laptops to students across Tamil Nadu over a two-year period, targeting those enrolled in arts, science, engineering, agriculture, and medical colleges.
During the first phase, the government set a target to distribute laptops to one million college students with a total allocation of ₹2,172 crore. According to a senior official from the state higher education department, approximately 940,000 students have already benefited from the program, with the remaining distribution expected to be completed by the end of March.
The official, who requested anonymity due to the lack of authorization to speak publicly, indicated that reaching the target of one million beneficiaries is likely to be achieved within a few weeks.
Officials stated that this initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve outcomes in digital education and equip students with the necessary technological tools to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy.
In addition, the state government has launched a dedicated complaint portal related to the laptop scheme. This portal allows students to register complaints regarding eligibility, device distribution, or technical issues, facilitating the resolution of such matters.
Officials believe this portal will help ensure that all eligible students ultimately benefit from the program.
Looking ahead, officials have indicated that the second phase of the initiative, which will distribute laptops to another one million students, is expected to begin between the third week of March 2026 and the first week of April 2026. However, procedural hurdles may arise after the implementation of the model code of conduct for the upcoming assembly elections.
Sources from the Election Commission have noted that following the announcement of the code of conduct, prior approval from the Election Commission of India will be necessary to continue distribution under the scheme.
Officials clarified that if permission is granted, laptops will only be handed over by government officials, such as college principals and district officers, rather than by ministers or political representatives.
Currently, the complaint resolution portal is available only for final-year and pre-final-year students, while students from other academic years will be included in later phases of the program.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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