Has Delhi CM Approved a Free Laptop Scheme for 1,200 Top Govt School Students?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Free laptops for 1,200 meritorious students.
- Budget allocation of Rs 7.5 crore.
- Implementation starts in 2025-26.
- Selection based on Class 10 Board results.
- 175 computer labs to be established.
New Delhi, July 22 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, has recently endorsed the 'Mukhyamantri Digital Shiksha Yojana' in a Cabinet meeting, aimed at distributing free laptops to 1,200 outstanding government school students enrolled in Class 11.
An approximate budget of Rs 7.5 crore has been earmarked for this initiative, as stated by Education and Sports Minister Ashish Sood.
During a press briefing post-Cabinet meeting, Sood highlighted that this initiative will benefit the top 1,200 performing students who will explore various streams in Class 11.
This initiative was initially introduced during the Delhi government's budget speech, he added.
The implementation of the free laptop scheme is set to commence in the 2025-26 academic session and will be a recurring annual program.
According to Minister Sood, the program is designed to promote academic excellence and assist students in their aspirations for higher education, with selections based on their Class 10 Board examination results.
He emphasized that this initiative aligns with the government's dedication to enhancing digital literacy and equipping students with contemporary devices.
In an effort to bolster digital literacy among students, the Cabinet has approved a scheme to establish computer labs equipped with digital infrastructure in government schools, as per Sood.
In the first phase of the scheme (2025-26), 175 computer labs will be set up, followed by an additional 175 labs in the second phase (2026-27). The remaining schools will be incorporated in subsequent phases.
A total of 544 schools have been prioritized for this initiative across 350 school buildings, with special attention given to schools that operate different shifts within the same facility.
A budget of Rs 50 crore has been designated for this program, ensuring that each lab will be furnished with 40 desktop computers and other essential digital resources.
To oversee the entire process, a project monitoring unit has been established, as mentioned by Sood.