Free Laptops for Students by Early January: Minister Anbil Mahesh Announces

Balasahana Suresh
Tamil Nadu school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has confirmed that the state government’s plan to distribute laptops to students will begin by the last week of december 2025 or the first week of january 2026. This initiative is part of the tamil Nadu government’s broader effort to support students’ education and bridge the wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital divide.

💻 What the minister Announced

Speaking to reporters, minister Anbil Mahesh said that the tender process for supplying laptops has already been completed, and the government is now ready to roll out the distribution to students. He stated that **students will receive laptops either by the end of december or within the first week of January.

This timeline aims to ensure that students receive the devices before the new academic term begins, helping them access wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital resources, complete online assignments, and prepare for competitive exams.

📌 Background: tamil Nadu laptop Scheme

The laptop distribution program is part of the Tamil Nadu Government’s education ECOSYSTEM' target='_blank' title='digital education-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital education initiative, which seeks to equip students with modern tools for learning and wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital skills. The government’s ELCOT laptop Scheme aims to provide high-tech laptops to millions of students in colleges and schools over the coming years. E

Under this broader plan:

20 lakh laptops are expected to be distributed to students across arts, science, engineering, agriculture, and medical colleges in the state over two years.

Phase-wise procurement and distribution began with tenders floated for around 10 lakh mid-spec laptops for students

The laptops are expected to come with features appropriate for modern study needs — including decent processors, sufficient RAM, SSD storage, USB-C ports, and access to educational software like microsoft Office 365.

🎓 Why This Matters for Students

Providing laptops to students is meant to:

Support wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital learning: Laptops allow students to access online classes, study materials, and research platforms.

Enhance employability: wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital skills are crucial for careers; early access helps build proficiency.

Reduce inequalities: students from rural or economically disadvantaged backgrounds gain tools that might otherwise be out of reach.

Boost academic performance: With a dedicated device, students can complete assignments and prepare for exams more effectively.

📅 Expected Rollout Schedule

According to the minister:

Tender process completed: The procurement contracts for laptops have been finalized.

Distribution window: Laptops will be distributed to eligible students either by the end of december 2025 or within the first week of january 2026. The goal is for students to receive the devices well before most academic sessions fully resume after year-end breaks.

📍 Past Progress and Related Efforts

This announcement builds on earlier efforts by the tamil Nadu government to improve wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital access in education. For example:

Minister Anbil Mahesh has personally distributed laptops to a group of 29 higher-education students earlier in 2025, recognizing academic achievement and promoting access to wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital learning resources.

The state government’s tender for 10 lakh mid-spec laptops in 2025 was one of the largest laptop procurement efforts through a single tender in India, attracting interest from major manufacturers.

📌 What’s Next

Now that the laptops’ procurement is moving forward and the distribution timeline has been set, students and families in tamil Nadu are eagerly awaiting delivery. The scheme is expected to positively impact students’ learning experiences and wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital competence — especially as the state continues to emphadata-size education quality and future readiness.


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