What this scheme offers
Tamil Nadu has a long history with free laptops — over 51 lakh were distributed to students between 2011 and the scheme's pause. The distribution was revived in January 2026 as 'Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil' ('The world in your hands'), aiming at 20 lakh laptops for college students, with 10 lakh in the first phase and ₹2,000 crore allocated. The new government renamed it 'Vetri Laptop' in its August 2026 budget. Detailed eligibility under the renamed scheme — which colleges and which years of study are covered in each phase — is set by the Higher Education Department, so check with your college before assuming you're included.
Who is eligible
- Student enrolled in a college in Tamil Nadu covered by the current distribution phase.
- Specific institution types and years of study are notified phase-wise by the Higher Education Department.
Documents required
- College ID / bonafide certificate
- Aadhaar card
- Other details as requested by the college
How to apply
- No individual application in most cases — colleges prepare the list of eligible students for each phase.
- Ask your college administration whether your batch is covered in the current phase.
- Laptops are distributed through the college on the scheduled date.