AP Free Laptop Scheme 2026 - Latest Status and Alternative Schemes for Students

Andhra Pradesh government has dropped its earlier plan of giving free laptops to class 9 to 12 students. Officials replaced that plan with a tablet programme for class 8 students in government and aided schools, covering close to 5.18 lakh students and teachers. The change came after the state found that buying 6.53 lakh laptops would cost over ₹100 crore, and many digital learning apps did not run well on laptops anyway.

Students who studied under Amma Vodi and Vasathi Deevena earlier had a choice between cash and a free laptop. That choice is gone now. A change in state government in mid 2024 also ended both these schemes, and a new scheme called Talliki Vandanam has taken their place for school going children in Andhra Pradesh.

AP Free Laptop Scheme Update

AP Free Laptop Scheme was first announced by then Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for the 2022-23 academic year. Under the plan, students of classes 9 to 12 could pick a laptop instead of the yearly cash amount given under Amma Vodi and Vasathi Deevena. Around 8.21 lakh students had opted for laptops at that time.

Why Government Dropped the Laptop Plan

By January 2024, the state government backed out of the laptop promise. Cost was a big factor. Officials also found that several online learning apps used by students did not work smoothly on the laptops that were being planned for purchase. So the laptop-for-cash option was quietly dropped for regular students.

Tablets Given to Class 8 Students Instead

In place of laptops, the state signed an agreement to give tablets loaded with learning content to class 8 students. Close to 4.59 lakh students and over 59,000 teachers in government and aided schools received these tablets, each costing the government around ₹12,000. The idea was that a student would carry the same tablet forward to higher classes, so no separate laptop would be needed later.

Amma Vodi and Vasathi Deevena Replaced by Talliki Vandanam

Once the TDP-led NDA government took charge in June 2024, it discontinued Amma Vodi and Vasathi Deevena. Vidya Deevena and Videshi Vidya Deevena, which supported higher education costs, were also stopped. In their place, the government launched Talliki Vandanam on 12 June 2025, giving ₹15,000 a year to mothers of school going children from class 1 to intermediate.

Out of this amount, ₹2,000 is kept back for school upkeep and cleanliness, so mothers actually get ₹13,000 in their bank account. Talliki Vandanam does not offer a laptop option. It's a cash-only scheme, unlike the earlier Amma Vodi setup that let families pick a laptop instead of cash for older children.

AP Free Laptop Scheme Overview

Original Scheme	AP Free Laptop Scheme (2022-23), tied to Amma Vodi and Vasathi Deevena
Current Status	Discontinued for class 9 to 12 students
Replaced With	Tablets for class 8 students; Talliki Vandanam cash scheme for school children
Still Running	Free laptop scheme for differently abled students (SOLAP)
Run By	Andhra Pradesh Disabled and Senior Citizens Assistance Corporation (APDASCAC)
Talliki Vandanam Benefit	₹15,000 per year (₹13,000 credited after deduction)
Official Website	apdascac.ap.gov.in

Free Laptop Scheme Still Running for Differently Abled Students

One laptop scheme in Andhra Pradesh is still active though. It runs through APDASCAC, meant for visually challenged, hearing impaired, speech impaired and orthopedically challenged students studying professional courses. This scheme is called Sanction of Laptops, or SOLAP, and it's separate from the general AP Free Laptop Scheme that got closed.

Under SOLAP, students whose parents earn below ₹15,000 a month get a laptop free of cost. Those in the ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 income range get half the laptop cost covered by the government. Students can also check for a free smartphone scheme for students running in the state as another option for digital devices.

Documents Required for SOLAP Laptop Scheme

Applicants need to keep a few documents ready before applying. These prove identity, disability status and income, and the college confirms enrollment in a professional course.

• Aadhar card of the applicant for identity proof
• Disability certificate or Sadarem ID showing the type and extent of disability
• Income certificate of parents to check eligibility for free or subsidised laptop
• Bonafide certificate from the college confirming the student is enrolled in a professional course
• Recent passport size photograph
• Mobile number linked to Aadhar for updates on application status

How to Apply for SOLAP Laptop Scheme

STEP 1 - Visit the official website at apdascac.ap.gov.in and look for the laptop scheme application link on the homepage.

STEP 2 - Fill in personal details, Sadarem ID, course details and parents' income, then upload the required documents listed above.

STEP 3 - Submit the form online and note down the application number for future reference. Students without internet access can also visit the nearest Mandal Educational Officer or District Welfare Office to submit an offline form.

STEP 4 - To check status later, go back to apdascac.ap.gov.in, click on "Laptop Scheme Application Status", and enter the Sadarem ID or Aadhar number to see the approval stage.

FAQ's

Is AP Free Laptop Scheme still running in 2026?

Not for regular class 9 to 12 students. That laptop-for-cash option under Amma Vodi and Vasathi Deevena was dropped in January 2024. Class 8 students now get tablets instead, and school going children get cash support under Talliki Vandanam.

Can differently abled students still get a free laptop in Andhra Pradesh?

Yes. Visually challenged, hearing impaired, speech impaired and orthopedically challenged students in professional courses can apply under the SOLAP scheme run by APDASCAC, subject to the income limits mentioned above.

What is Talliki Vandanam scheme?

Talliki Vandanam is the scheme that replaced Amma Vodi after the government changed in 2024. It gives ₹15,000 a year to mothers of school going children from class 1 to intermediate, with ₹2,000 kept back for school needs, so ₹13,000 reaches the bank account.

What happened to students who already chose a laptop under the old scheme?

Students who had opted for laptops before January 2024 under Amma Vodi and Vasathi Deevena did not receive them once the plan was dropped. The state moved to tablets for class 8 students going forward instead of continuing the laptop rollout for older classes.

Source / Reference Link: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/andhra-pradesh-govt-drops-laptops-for-tabs-to-students-to-cut-costs-1121897.html