Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has ordered the implementation of the Vetri Laptop Scheme for college students in government and state-aided institutions.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has ordered the implementation of the Vetri Laptop Scheme, a Rs 2,000 crore initiative to provide free laptops to college students. According to India Today, the scheme was announced in the Tamil Nadu Budget for 2026-27 and will cover students in government and state-aided institutions.
The programme targets first- and second-year undergraduate and diploma students enrolled during the 2026-27 academic year. Eligible courses include arts, science, engineering, medicine, veterinary science, agriculture, fisheries, law, polytechnic, and Industrial Training Institute (ITI) programmes.
The government has also extended benefits to third- and fourth-year professional course students who missed out on the scheme during the 2025-26 academic year. Engineering students will receive laptops equipped with Intel Core i5 processors or equivalent configurations to meet technical requirements.
To oversee the rollout, the state has approved the formation of a high-level committee under the Chief Minister. The Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) has been granted administrative sanction to procure laptops that meet prescribed quality standards.
The government stated that laptops are essential for digital learning, helping students access online education and skill development programmes. The initiative is intended to benefit students from marginalised, lower-income, and middle-income families to improve their employability in a digital economy.
