Big news for students studying in Uttar Pradesh — the state government is going to distribute 25 lakh tablets free of cost. In a cabinet meeting held in August 2026, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, this proposal was approved, and Rs 2,374.60 crore has been set aside for it in the 2026-27 budget.
In this article you will find: the official name of the scheme and its latest status, how many devices have been distributed so far, which students are eligible, whether you will get a tablet or a smartphone, how the application process works (do you need to fill a form?), how to check your status on the DigiShakti Portal, and answers to common questions. Let us go through everything one by one.
Latest news: cabinet approves 25 lakh tablets (August 2026)
In the cabinet meeting held in Lucknow in August 2026, the purchase of 25 lakh tablets under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana was given the green signal. According to the official statement issued after the meeting, purchase orders will be issued to the institutions selected through the tender process for the supply of tablets.
Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna informed that the scheme is in effect for five years and a budget provision of Rs 2,374.60 crore has been made for it in the financial year 2026-27. The estimated cost of one tablet is approximately Rs 17,000. According to the government, around 60 lakh tablets and smartphones have already been distributed among eligible youth so far.
The message is clear — the scheme has not stopped; it is running on an even bigger scale in 2026. Good news for students who thought the scheme had been paused.
What is the scheme? (official name and objective)
The official name of the scheme is the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana. In common language it is also called the UP Free Tablet/Smartphone Yojana or the DigiShakti Yojana, because it operates through the DigiShakti Portal (digishakti.up.gov.in).
The scheme was launched in 2021-22. Its objective is the technological empowerment of youth — connecting students with digital resources for education, training, employment and self-employment. Ever since online classes became mainstream, the government’s push has been to put a digital device in every student’s hands.
The devices come preloaded with educational and career-related content, so that students use them for learning and not just entertainment.
Scheme at a glance (Quick Facts)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official scheme name | Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Launched | 2021-22 (five-year scheme) |
| Operating portal | DigiShakti Portal — digishakti.up.gov.in |
| Fresh approval (Aug 2026) | Purchase of 25 lakh tablets |
| Budget 2026-27 | Rs 2,374.60 crore |
| Distributed so far | Around 60 lakh tablets/smartphones (government statement, Aug 2026) |
| Estimated cost per tablet | Approximately Rs 17,000 |
Which students will get it? (eligibility)
According to government statements, youth associated with these courses fall under the scheme:
- Graduation (UG) — BA, BSc, BCom, etc.
- Post-Graduation (PG) — MA, MSc, MCom, etc.
- Diploma courses — Polytechnic, etc.
- ITI trainees
- Technical education — engineering, etc.
- Health education — nursing, paramedical
- Skill development training
- D.El.Ed. (BTC) trainees
An important point: no income limit or marks cut-off has been announced by the government for this round. Selection mainly depends on your course, your year of study, and whether your college has uploaded and verified your data on the portal.
Will I get a tablet or a smartphone?
This is the most asked question. Here is the truth:
- The fresh approval (August 2026) is only for tablets — 25 lakh tablets are being purchased.
- In earlier rounds, smartphones were also distributed — in January 2025 the cabinet had approved the purchase of 25 lakh smartphones too.
- In past distribution, reports indicated tablets generally went to technical, medical and diploma streams, while smartphones went to students of general degree courses.
So the straight answer: the 25 lakh devices this time will be tablets. Which device you get depends on your course and the distribution round — your college is the only one that can confirm this for you.
How does the application work? (do you need to fill a form?)
Let us clear the biggest confusion first: students do not need to fill any separate online form. The process works like this:
- Your college uploads your data — your college or university enters the student list and details on the DigiShakti Portal.
- Data verification takes place — the information is checked at the institution and department level.
- Aadhaar e-KYC — students complete Aadhaar e-KYC through MeriPehchaan.
- Status check — students can view their status on the portal with their enrollment number.
- Distribution — devices are distributed to eligible students through the institutions.
The most important thing: stay in touch with your college. If your college has not uploaded your data on the portal, your name will never appear in the list. Keep your Aadhaar card and necessary documents ready.
How to check status on the DigiShakti Portal?
The official portal is: digishakti.up.gov.in
- Open the portal and go to the status/login section.
- Enter your enrollment number (your college registration/enrolment number).
- Your eligibility and device status will appear on the screen.
If your name does not appear on the portal, first ask your college whether your data has been uploaded — in most cases, that is the reason.
What if the device stops working?
Keep the bill and warranty card from the box safe. If the device develops a fault, take it to an authorised service centre — the DigiShakti Portal carries a list of tablet and mobile service centres. Claiming warranty without the bill can be troublesome, so take the bill out separately before throwing away the box.
Beware of fake websites and middlemen
- There is no fee in the name of the scheme — the device is completely free.
- There is no separate registration form for students — any website saying “fill the form and get a tablet” may be fake.
- Do not pay any agent or middleman — only your college uploads the data.
- Take information from only two places — digishakti.up.gov.in and your college administration.
The scheme’s journey so far (2021 to 2026)
This scheme is not a new announcement — it has a long track record:
- 2021-22: The scheme was launched. In the first three years itself, more than 46.75 lakh smartphones and tablets were distributed.
- January 2025: In the cabinet meeting held in Prayagraj, the final bid document for the purchase of 25 lakh smartphones was approved.
- April 2026: Proposal for 25 lakh tablets — estimated cost Rs 3,000 crore.
- August 2026: Fresh approval for 25 lakh tablets, with a Rs 2,374.60 crore budget for 2026-27.
According to government statements, a total of around 60 lakh devices have reached students so far — making it one of the largest student digital programmes in the country.
Which students get priority?
According to reports, final-year students are given priority in distribution, since they need digital resources the most for jobs and further studies. Apart from this, data verification drives are run through colleges for courses like D.El.Ed., ITI, diploma and B.Ed. If you are in your final year, definitely ask your college whether your name is on the list.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is the UP Free Tablet Yojana still running? Yes. In August 2026 the cabinet approved the purchase of 25 lakh tablets and Rs 2,374.60 crore was provided in the 2026-27 budget. The scheme is a five-year scheme and is active.
Will I get a tablet or a smartphone? The fresh approval is only for tablets — 25 lakh tablets are being purchased. Smartphones were distributed in earlier rounds. What you get as per your course will be confirmed by your college.
Where do I fill the online form? There is no separate form for students. Your college uploads your data on the DigiShakti Portal. You only need to complete Aadhaar e-KYC (through MeriPehchaan).
Is there an income limit or marks cut-off? The government has not announced any income limit or percentage cut-off for this round. Selection depends on the course, year of study and data verification by the college.
I am an ITI/polytechnic student — am I eligible? Yes. Students of ITI, polytechnic (diploma), nursing, paramedical and skill development training fall under the scheme.
My name is not showing on the portal — what should I do? First ask your college whether your data has been uploaded and verified on the DigiShakti Portal. In most cases, non-uploaded data is the reason.
Do I have to pay for the tablet? No. The device is completely free. No fee, no charge. Anyone asking for money is committing fraud.
Do students of private colleges get the tablet too? The scheme covers students of recognised institutions whose data is uploaded on the DigiShakti Portal — this includes government, aided and recognised private colleges and universities. If your college is recognised and uploads your data, you are in the pool. Ask your college administration to confirm.
When will I get the tablet? Purchase orders for the 25 lakh tablets are being issued. Distribution will happen in phases through institutions — stay in touch with your college and keep checking your status on the DigiShakti Portal.
Disclaimer: GramSuvidha is a private information portal (not a government website). The information above is based on official government statements and news reports as of 10 October 2026 — rules and dates can change, so please confirm on digishakti.up.gov.in or with your college.
