Tamil Nadu Government Issues Order for ₹2,000-Crore Vetri Laptop Scheme

The Tamil Nadu Government has formally issued an order to implement the ₹2,000-crore Vetri Laptop Scheme, aimed at equipping college students across the state with digital tools to enhance their technological capabilities and employability skills.

According to an official release, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay ordered the implementation of the scheme following its announcement in the State Budget for 2026-27.

The program targets first- and second-year undergraduate and diploma students enrolled in government and government-aided colleges for the 2026-27 academic year. Eligible disciplines include Arts and Science, Engineering, Polytechnic, ITI, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Fisheries, Agriculture, and Law. Furthermore, third- and fourth-year students in professional courses at government and government-aided institutions who missed out on laptop distribution during 2025-26 will also be covered under the initiative.

Addressing the specific academic needs of technical students, the government stated that engineering students will receive high-end laptops equipped with Intel Core i5 processors or equivalent technology to support higher computing requirements.

To manage execution and maintain quality, a high-level steering committee headed by the Chief Minister will oversee the implementation and monitoring of the scheme. Additionally, the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) has received administrative approval to handle the procurement of the laptops.

State officials noted that the initiative is designed to assist students from lower- and middle-income families in accessing digital learning resources, participating in skill development programs, and building technical knowledge. The program is also anticipated to facilitate online education and better prepare students for employment opportunities within a technology-driven economy.

"Large-scale public digital infrastructure and hardware distribution programs play a vital role in bridging the digital divide for students from lower- and middle-income backgrounds. By equipping young learners—particularly in professional and technical fields—with necessary computing tools, government initiatives like the Vetri Laptop Scheme directly strengthen foundational digital readiness and long-term workforce employability in regional economies." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes