Tamil Nadu CM orders Rs 2,000-crore Vetri Laptop Scheme implementation
The initiative will provide laptops to first and second-year undergraduate and diploma students in government and aided colleges.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Saturday ordered the implementation of the Rs 2,000-crore Vetri Laptop Scheme to improve the technological skills of college students, according to reports by The Hindu and BusinessLine.
The scheme, which was announced in the 2026-27 Budget, will cover first and second-year students enrolled in diploma and undergraduate courses at government and government-aided institutions. Eligible subjects include arts, science, engineering, polytechnic, ITI, medicine, veterinary science, fisheries, agriculture, and law.
The programme also includes third and fourth-year professional course students who did not receive laptops during the 2025-26 academic year. Engineering students will receive laptops with Intel Core i5 processors or equivalent specifications to meet their technical needs.
A high-level steering committee led by Chief Minister Vijay will monitor the rollout. The Tamil Nadu Electronics Corporation (ELCOT) has received administrative sanction to procure the devices and manage quality control.
The government stated that laptops are essential tools for higher education, helping students with skill development, online learning, and future employment. The initiative aims to assist students from middle-class and marginalised families in gaining competitive digital skills.