The Tamil Nadu government is nearing completion of the initial phase of its free laptop distribution program for college students. Launched as “Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil” (The World is in Your Hands), the scheme aims to bridge the digital gap among higher education students. Over 9.37 lakh students in the state have already received laptops under this initiative.
The project plans to provide 20 lakh laptops to students in various colleges over a two-year span, including those in arts, science, engineering, agriculture, and medical fields. With an allocated budget of Rs 2,172 crore, the first phase targets distributing laptops to ten lakh college students. Nearly 9.4 lakh students have benefited so far, and the rest are expected to receive their devices by the end of March.
State officials highlight that this effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance digital learning outcomes and equip students with necessary technological resources for the global job market. A dedicated grievances portal has been introduced to address concerns related to eligibility, delivery, or technical issues regarding the laptop scheme, ensuring all eligible students can benefit from the program.
The second phase of the initiative, extending laptop distribution to another ten lakh students, is anticipated to commence between the third week of March and the first week of April 2026. However, the rollout of this phase may face procedural challenges once the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming Assembly elections is enforced. If permitted, laptops will only be distributed by government authorities, not political figures, to eligible students.
