Yogi Govt's Mega Gift: 2.5 Million Youth in UP to Get Free Tablets Under Vivekananda Scheme
In a massive push toward digital empowerment and youth employment, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has approved a major proposal to distribute free tablets to 2.5 million (25 lakh) students across the state. The historic decision was cleared during a cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at Lok Bhavan, reinforcing the administration's commitment to equipping the younger generation with advanced technological tools under the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme.
Boosting Digital Education and Employability Across UP
During a packed day of youth-centric announcements—which also featured a commitment to generate one lakh jobs within six months and a more than two-fold hike in medical student internship allowances—the cabinet greenlit the massive procurement of tablets. Purchase orders will soon be issued to shortlisted suppliers through a transparent tender process.
Eligible beneficiaries enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, technical education, ITI, health education, and skill development training programs will receive these devices completely free of cost. Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna highlighted that integrating digital resources into educational and training frameworks will significantly elevate students' professional readiness and employability in a competitive job market.
Budget Allocation and Scheme Scale
The Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme operates with a multi-year mandate, backed by a substantial budget provision of ₹2,374.60 crore allocated for the financial year 2026–27. With each tablet procured at an estimated cost of approximately ₹17,000, this latest rollout builds upon the government's impressive track record, having already distributed nearly 6 million tablets and smartphones to deserving youth across Uttar Pradesh.
