Tamil Nadu Announces Rs. 2,000 Crore Vetri Laptop Scheme for College Students

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered the implementation of the Vetri Laptop Scheme with an allocation of Rs. 2,000 crore to improve the digital and technical skills of college students. Under the initiative, free laptops will be distributed during the 2026–27 academic year to first- and second-year undergraduate and diploma students studying in government and government-aided colleges. Students pursuing Arts and Science, Engineering, Polytechnic, ITI, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Fisheries, Agriculture and Law courses will be eligible for the scheme.

Additionally, third- and fourth-year students pursuing professional courses who did not receive laptops under the previous distribution programme during 2025–26 will also be covered. Considering their technical requirements, engineering students will receive laptops powered by Intel Core i5 processors or equivalent specifications. The Tamil Nadu Electronics Corporation (ELCOT) has been authorised to procure laptops while ensuring quality standards. A high-level steering committee headed by the Chief Minister will monitor the implementation of the scheme.