Tamil Nadu Government Allocates ₹2,000 Crore for 'Vetri Laptop Scheme'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has ordered the implementation of the 'Vetri Laptop Scheme' for college students, backed by a financial allocation of ₹2,000 crore, according to an official government release issued on Saturday.

To ensure effective oversight of the initiative announced in the 2026-27 budget, a high-level committee will be formed under the chief minister's leadership. The term 'Vetri' translates to victory, and several programs under the TVK-led regime, such as the free buses scheme for women, use this prefix.

The free laptop scheme is targeted at first and second-year undergraduate and diploma students, including those in polytechnic and ITI institutions, studying in government and state-aided colleges during the 2026-27 academic year. Eligible courses span arts, science, engineering, medicine, veterinary science, agriculture, fisheries, and law.

Additionally, the scheme will cover students who missed out on the free laptop program during the 2025-26 academic year and are currently in their third and fourth years of professional courses at government and state-aided institutions.

Addressing specific academic needs, engineering students will receive laptops equipped with Intel Core i5 processors or equivalent versions. Administrative sanction has been granted to the state-run electronics corporation ELCOT to oversee the procurement of laptops that meet designated quality standards.

The government noted that laptops have become essential educational tools in the current digital environment. The initiative is designed to help students improve their technological knowledge, engage in skill development training, access online education, and prepare for future employment.

A Government Order has been formally issued to grant administrative sanction for the ₹2,000 crore allocation and to establish detailed operational guidelines for the rollout of the scheme.

The state government expressed optimism that the initiative will serve as an important milestone for students from marginalized and middle-class families, helping them build competitive digital skills and enhance their overall employability.

"Large-scale public sector procurement and distribution initiatives like the Vetri Laptop Scheme play a significant role in bridging the digital divide for students in government and state-aided institutions. Allocating ₹2,000 crore toward digital infrastructure at the higher education level helps build a digitally capable talent pool, which is essential for long-term economic development and employability across diverse sectors." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes