The Tamil Nadu government’s initiative to provide free laptops to college students is progressing swiftly, with the first phase expected to finish by the end of February. Around 10 lakh students in the state are set to benefit from this program, and close to two lakh laptops have already been distributed to eligible recipients. The scheme, managed by the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT), is part of the state’s efforts to reduce the digital gap and enhance technological access in higher education.
An international tender has been released to procure a total of 20 lakh laptops, with the state allocating Rs 2,000 crore for this endeavor. Noteworthy multinational companies like Dell, Acer, and HP will supply the laptops to the students. These laptops will feature Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processors, 8 GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD storage, preloaded with Windows 11, BOSS Linux, and MS Office 365 to cater to students’ academic requirements.
Each laptop will also come with a complimentary six-month subscription to the AI-powered Perplexity Pro platform, designed to aid in research and learning. Additionally, beneficiaries will receive a high-quality laptop bag along with the device. The Higher Education Department’s senior official mentioned that the identification of beneficiaries from various colleges is almost finalized, covering nearly 4,600 arts, science, engineering, agriculture, and medical colleges in Tamil Nadu.
The distribution of more than one lakh laptops has already taken place, with colleges submitting student details for scrutiny to ensure all eligible students benefit from the scheme. The second phase of distribution is anticipated in March, with plans to extend the scheme’s coverage. The laptop suppliers will establish service centers in all districts for post-sales assistance, the specifics of which will be disclosed after the initial phase concludes. Authorities have advised students against trusting social media rumors about online registration, emphasizing that beneficiary selection is solely through colleges.
