Tamil Nadu rolls out free laptop scheme for 20 lakh college students, CM Stalin says 'it is not a gift, but an opportunity to rule the world'

Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin today announced the launch of first phase of free laptop scheme. The scheme, named as 'Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil (The world is in your hands)' is aimed at digital empowerment of the students and their skill development, the government said. While the scheme envisages distribution of a total of 20 lakh laptops, as many as 10 lakh laptops are set to be distributed in the first, current phase and an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore has been made for this initiative in this fiscal.

Launching the scheme, CM Stalin said: "The laptop is not a gift, it is an opportunity to rule the world; as far as we are concerned this is not an expenditure, but an investment for the future generation's education."

"When we develop our students, only then will our state and our nation grow. Through this scheme, we will be providing laptops to 20 lakh students. The Dravidian movement has always placed great importance on science. We recognized early on that the future would belong to computers....This scheme is not an expense; it is an investment in our future," he was quoted as saying by news wire agency ANI.


He urged the youth to learn Artificial Intelligence equating it as "one of humanity’s greatest breakthroughs, second only to the discovery of fire". "Don’t stop with just one or two degrees, everyone must continue to update themselves with new technology. AI cannot replace human beings. It can only help us work faster and more efficiently. We must use it wisely and rise higher in life. The choice is yours: will you use this laptop only for gaming, or will you use it to advance your education? Study with confidence, I will take care of everything," he added.


Meanwhile, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin said the scheme could be a game-changer. "The Dravidian movement has always celebrated scientific progress. Former Chief Minister Karunanidhi was the first to introduce computer education in Tamil Nadu, and initiatives like these have helped make the state a frontrunner in education. Students should use their laptops wisely, as they can be a real game-changer in their lives. The Chief Minister is ready to introduce many more schemes for the development of students, and everyone should extend their support," he said at the launch event.


According to an official statement issued by the Tamil Nadu government, the initiative forms part of the DMK government’s broader focus on student welfare and inclusive growth. Since coming to power, the Stalin-led administration has implemented a range of education-oriented schemes, including the Tamil Pudhalvan scheme, the Innovative Women scheme, the First-Generation Graduate scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship programmes, and Social Justice Hostels, all aimed at expanding educational access and reducing socio-economic barriers.

All about the scheme
Under the scheme, students studying in government engineering colleges, arts and science colleges, medical, agricultural and law institutions, polytechnics, and industrial training institutes will receive laptops. A total of 10 lakh students from these institutions are expected to benefit in the first phase.

The government is providing laptops from leading global brands such as Dell, Acer and HP. Each device comes equipped with an Intel i3 processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD storage, Windows 11 Home operating system, MS Office 365 software, and a high-quality laptop bag.

(With agency inputs)