Vetri Laptop Scheme: ₹2,000 crore sanctioned, 1st and 2nd year students covered

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay ordered the rollout of Vetri Laptop Scheme on 7 November 2026, with ₹2,000 crore sanctioned for free laptops to college students. State government has issued the order giving administrative approval. The scheme was first announced in the 2026-27 budget.

First and second year undergraduate and diploma students of government and government-aided colleges in 2026-27 will get a laptop. Third and fourth year students of professional courses who missed a laptop in 2025-26 are covered too. Courses include arts and science, engineering, polytechnic, industrial training, medicine, veterinary science, fisheries, agriculture and law.

Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) will buy the laptops. Engineering students get higher-end machines with Intel Core i5 or equal processors. A steering committee headed by the Chief Minister will track the work. No distribution date or application process is announced yet.