DigiShakti Yojana 2026: UP Free Tablet Scheme — List Check, e-KYC & Fake Link Warning

Millions of students studying in colleges across Uttar Pradesh are asking the same question — will I get a free tablet under DigiShakti Yojana, and if yes, when and how? Every week, some new claim goes viral on social media. One post says the list is out, another says registration has started, and yet another asks you to click a link. In all this noise, recognising the correct information has become genuinely difficult.

In this guide, we will walk through the full truth step by step, without any rumours. You will learn what this scheme actually is, who is eligible, how to check whether your name or data is on the portal, the complete e-KYC process, and — most importantly — how to protect yourself from the fake links that are cheating students in the name of this very scheme.

First, one thing must be made absolutely clear. Under this scheme, students do not apply online by themselves. Your college uploads your data to the portal, and after that you only check your status and complete e-KYC. Any website or video that asks you to “register now” by filling a form is almost certainly fake. Read this guide to the end — we have given concrete ways to avoid fraud in the final sections.

DigiShakti Yojana 2026: What the Scheme Is and Why It Was Started

DigiShakti Yojana 2026 is the digital arm of the Uttar Pradesh government’s Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana (Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme). Its aim is to connect the youth of the state with digital resources for education, training, employment and self-employment. The government gives eligible students a free tablet or smartphone so they can use online learning, digital content, government services and employment-related information.

The scheme was launched in 2021-22 and is being run as a five-year programme. It is implemented through the DigiShakti portal, with the Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited (UPDESCO) as the nodal agency. In the early years, students received both tablets and smartphones. Later, the government shifted its focus to tablets, because a larger screen proved more useful for notes, PDFs, online classes and study work.

So far, around 60 lakh tablets and smartphones have already been distributed to eligible youth under the scheme — a figure that has appeared in official statements issued alongside cabinet decisions. In other words, this is not a brand-new announcement; it is the next major phase of a scheme that is already running.

Quick Facts: DigiShakti Yojana 2026 at a Glance

Point	Detail
Scheme name	Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana (Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme)
Portal name	DigiShakti Portal — digishakti.up.gov.in
Benefit	Free tablet for eligible students (smartphones were also given in earlier phases)
New phase	Cabinet approval for the purchase of 25 lakh tablets
Budget provision (FY 2026-27)	Approximately Rs 2,374.60 crore
Estimated cost per tablet	Approximately Rs 17,000 (as reported)
Distribution so far	Approximately 60 lakh tablets and smartphones (since the scheme began)
How to apply	Students do NOT apply themselves — the college/institution uploads the data
Student’s job	Check status on the portal + complete Aadhaar e-KYC via MeriPehchaan
Fee	Completely free — no fee of any kind

Latest Update: Cabinet Approves 25 Lakh Tablets

In August 2026, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, approved the proposal to purchase 25 lakh tablets. According to the government statement, purchase orders will be issued to institutions selected through the tender process. A budget provision of Rs 2,374.60 crore has been made for the scheme in the financial year 2026-27, and one tablet is expected to be purchased for approximately Rs 17,000.

One confusion needs to be cleared up here. In April 2026, the Cabinet had also approved the purchase of 25 lakh tablets — at that time, a provision of Rs 2,000 crore for FY 2025-26 and a total estimated cost of around Rs 3,000 crore were mentioned. So the figure of 25 lakh tablets has appeared in two separate cabinet decisions: the first in April 2026 (for 2025-26) and the latest in August 2026 (with the Rs 2,374.60 crore provision for 2026-27). Many websites mix these two decisions together — keep this distinction in mind.

Another important change: the earlier plan was to buy 25 lakh smartphones, which was later changed to tablets. The reason was straightforward — tablets are more useful for study and digital-skills work. The new phase will also distribute tablets, not smartphones.

As for distribution dates — no district-wise or college-wise distribution calendar has been made public by the government so far. Distribution will happen in phases, through tenders, supply and colleges. So do not trust any claim of the type “tablets will arrive on this date” unless it comes from your college or the official portal.

Who Is Eligible: Eligibility 2026

Eligibility under this scheme is not based on your marks or an income certificate, but on your course and your institution. Students studying in a recognised institution in Uttar Pradesh in the following categories are treated as eligible:

Graduation (UG) students
Post-Graduation (PG) students
Diploma course students
Technical Education students
Health Education students (including nursing and paramedical)
ITI trainees
Skill Development training youth

According to reports, final-year students of the relevant courses get first priority in each round. That means if you are in your final year, your name has a higher chance of appearing in the first-phase list. It has also been reported that students from other states who are studying in an institution in Uttar Pradesh are covered, because eligibility rests on the institution — but final confirmation will come from your institution.

Please note: no separate income-certificate or merit-cutoff condition has come to light for this scheme. If any website asks you to “upload an income certificate” or “check the merit list”, it does not match this scheme’s process.

The Biggest Point: Students Do Not Apply Themselves — Colleges Upload the Data

This is the point where the maximum number of students get cheated. There is no “Apply Online” form in the DigiShakti scheme for students to fill. The complete process works like this:

College uploads the data: Your college or institution uploads your name, enrollment number, course and other details to the DigiShakti portal.
University/department verifies: The uploaded data is verified at the university and concerned department level, and then locked.
Student checks status: You enter your enrollment number on the portal and see where your file is stuck.
Student completes e-KYC: After the data is verified, you complete Aadhaar e-KYC through MeriPehchaan.
Distribution happens through the college: After e-KYC and approval, tablets are distributed through your institution. The college itself tells you when and where the device will be given.

The direct meaning of this: if the portal shows “Invalid Enrollment Number”, it does not mean you are ineligible — it means your college has not yet uploaded your data. In that situation, the first thing to do is contact your college’s nodal officer, not fill a form on some website.

How to Check Your Name / Status: Step-by-Step Guide

To check your status you need only three things: your university/institution name, your enrollment number, and a mobile phone or computer. The full method is given below:

Open the official portal digishakti.up.gov.in. (This is the only official address — do not go to any lookalike site.)
On the homepage, find the link/button “e-KYC through MeriPehchaan Portal” and click it.
On the next page, select your University from the dropdown.
Then select your College/Institution.
Enter your Enrollment Number correctly and click Search.
Your status will appear on the screen. Understand its meaning from the table below.

One important caution: if even one digit of the enrollment number is wrong, the portal will not show your record. Copy the number from your college ID card or admission receipt. If the record still does not appear, ask your college’s nodal officer whether your data has been uploaded.

What the Status Messages Mean: Where Your File Is Stuck

What the portal shows	What it means	What you should do
Invalid Enrollment Number	Your institution has not yet uploaded your data to the portal.	Contact your college’s nodal officer.
Data Under Verification / Under Process	Your data is under checking with the university or department.	Wait and check again after a few days.
Verify button is visible	Your data is verified; only e-KYC is pending.	Click Verify and complete e-KYC (steps below).
Mismatch in name / date of birth / Aadhaar	Your details do not match Aadhaar.	Get the details corrected by the nodal officer; the file then goes through checking again.
e-KYC Successful / Verified	Your e-KYC is complete.	Stay in touch with your college for distribution news.

Understand one thing: “Under Verification” is not a problem. It means your file is on the right track and checking is going on at the department level. Instead of running after agents or websites, simply wait a few days.

How to Do e-KYC: Aadhaar Verification via MeriPehchaan (Step-by-Step)

When the Verify button appears on the portal, the e-KYC process begins. For this you need your Aadhaar number and the mobile number linked with Aadhaar (for OTP). The complete process is as follows:

After checking your status on the DigiShakti portal, click the Verify button.
You will reach the MeriPehchaan portal. If you already have a MeriPehchaan account, Sign In. New users should click “New user? Signup for MeriPehchaan”.
For new users: enter your mobile number, click Generate OTP and verify the number with the OTP received.
Accept the Terms & Conditions and complete Sign-Up.
Now, on the Aadhaar e-KYC page, enter your Aadhaar number.
Choose the OTP medium — mobile or email (whichever is linked with Aadhaar) — and click “Verify through eKYC”.
Enter the OTP received on the Aadhaar-linked mobile/email and press Verify.
On successful verification, a Success Message will appear. After this, your e-KYC status on the DigiShakti portal will be updated.

Please note: in e-KYC, your name, date of birth and gender must all match Aadhaar exactly. If the spelling of your name in the college record differs from Aadhaar, e-KYC can get stuck. In that case, first get your details corrected by the college nodal officer, then do e-KYC. Never share your OTP with anyone — a government portal never asks for OTP on a phone call.

When and How Will You Get the Tablet?

After e-KYC is complete, the student becomes eligible for distribution. But it is important to understand that the tablet does not come directly to your home. Distribution happens through your college/institution. The college receives the batch of devices and then calls students for distribution. For mapping devices at the time of distribution, colleges use the Digi Shakti Mapper app — this app is for colleges, not for students.

At the time of distribution, your identity and e-KYC verification are usually confirmed. So pay attention to your college’s notices, notice board and official college groups. Do not believe any claim about “tablet home delivery” — no home-delivery provision has come to light under this scheme.

In earlier phases, the devices given included Samsung, Acer and Lava tablets/smartphones, but the official list of brands and specifications for the new batch of 25 lakh tablets has not yet been made public. One report says Acer has received a large tablet order, but the full vendor list is not confirmed — so be cautious of claims naming any single brand.

Warning: How to Stay Safe from Fake Registration Links and Fraud

This is the most important part of this guide, because fraudsters are most active in the name of this very scheme. Always remember these points:

There is no self-registration: If any website, WhatsApp message or YouTube video asks you to “register for DigiShakti” by filling a form, it is fake. Student data is uploaded only by the college.
There is no fee: The scheme is completely free. Anyone asking for a “registration fee”, “delivery charge” or “processing fee” is a fraudster.
There is no official app for students: The Digi Shakti Mapper app is for college use. Third-party apps on the Play Store calling themselves the “DigiShakti App” are not official — they can steal your personal data.
There is only one official portal: digishakti.up.gov.in. Lookalike sites (such as digishakti.net or digishakti.info) are not official government sites. Enter your Aadhaar number or OTP only on the official portal.
Never share your OTP: No government officer asks for your OTP on a phone call, WhatsApp or SMS. Every call asking for OTP is fake.
The “add your name to the list” trap: No agent or website can add your name to the list. Names come only from your college’s data upload.

If you have mistakenly entered your Aadhaar number or OTP on a fake site, immediately inform your college’s nodal officer, keep a watch on the mobile number linked with Aadhaar, and if needed file a complaint with the nearest cyber cell / police.

Common Mistakes Students Make — Avoid These

Going to the wrong portal: Do not waste time on lookalike sites. Only digishakti.up.gov.in is official.
Entering the wrong enrollment number: A single wrong digit shows “Invalid” and students panic. Always match the number with your ID card.
Difference between Aadhaar and college records: A difference in name spelling or date of birth stalls e-KYC. Get it corrected through the college first.
Not contacting the college: Data upload, distribution dates — every important piece of information sits with the college. The nodal officer is your most trustworthy source.
Trusting fake dates: Videos/posts saying “you will get the tablet on this date” are usually guesses. Trust only your college or official information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I apply for DigiShakti Yojana 2026?

Students do not apply themselves. Your college/institution uploads your data to the DigiShakti portal. Your job is only to check your status on the portal and complete Aadhaar e-KYC via MeriPehchaan. There is no “Apply Online” form for students.

2. How do I check my name in the DigiShakti list?

Go to digishakti.up.gov.in, click “e-KYC through MeriPehchaan Portal”, select your university and college, enter your enrollment number and click Search. Your status will appear on the screen — Invalid, Under Verification, Verify button, or Verified.

3. It shows “Invalid Enrollment Number” — what should I do?

It means your college has not yet uploaded your data to the portal. Contact your college’s nodal officer and ask when the data will be uploaded. Filling a form on any website will not fix this.

4. What do I need for DigiShakti e-KYC?

You need your Aadhaar number and the mobile number linked with Aadhaar (for OTP). After signing up/signing in on MeriPehchaan, enter your Aadhaar number, choose the OTP medium, enter the OTP and complete verification.

5. Is there any fee in the DigiShakti scheme?

No. The scheme is completely free. Anyone or any website asking for a registration fee, delivery charge or processing fee is fake.

6. When will I get the tablet?

After e-KYC and approval, distribution will happen in phases through your college. No district-wise or college-wise distribution calendar has been made public yet, so stay in touch with your college for the distribution date.

7. Are students from other states also eligible?

According to reports, students from other states who are studying in an institution in Uttar Pradesh are also covered, because eligibility rests on the institution. For final confirmation, ask your college’s nodal officer.

Official Links (Trust Only These)

Purpose	Official link
DigiShakti portal — status check + e-KYC	digishakti.up.gov.in
MeriPehchaan — e-KYC login/sign-up	Reach it only through the “e-KYC through MeriPehchaan Portal” link on the DigiShakti portal
Uttar Pradesh government portal	up.gov.in

Related Schemes and Guides

Disclaimer: GramSuvidha is a private information portal, not a government website. This article is written for guidance, based on public reports and official portal information. For final and official information, always confirm on digishakti.up.gov.in or with your college’s nodal officer.