MP govt to give ₹25,000 laptop aid to 1.22 lakh Class 12 toppers
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday, 31 August transferred ₹25,000 each to approximately 1.22 lakh meritorious Class 12 students to support their purchase of laptops, in an event held at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre in Bhopal. The total outlay of over ₹304.98 crore was disbursed directly into students' bank accounts under the state's Talented Student Encouragement Scheme.
Who Is Eligible
Students who secured 75% or more marks in their Class 12 board examination on their first attempt qualify for the financial assistance. The scheme is implemented by the Madhya Pradesh School Education Department and is designed to ease the transition from school to higher education by equipping students with digital tools.
What the Aid Covers
The ₹25,000 grant is earmarked specifically for laptop purchases. According to officials, the devices can be used for online classes, digital study material, e-learning platforms, and other educational resources — a deliberate push to raise digital literacy among students entering college.
What the Government Said
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the government was committed to ensuring that meritorious students are not held back by a lack of resources. 'Education is the strongest foundation for the future of the youth, and providing laptops to meritorious students will help them make better use of digital learning resources,' he said. Yadav added that the initiative was aimed at enabling talented students to leverage modern technology for better opportunities.
Broader Context
The scheme is part of a wider state effort to increase digital penetration among school-leavers, particularly those from backgrounds where personal computing devices remain out of reach. Notably, direct benefit transfer to students' bank accounts reduces the risk of leakage — a recurring concern in welfare disbursements. This is among the larger single-day education-linked cash transfers in Madhya Pradesh's recent history, covering more than a lakh beneficiaries in one go. The move also signals the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government's intent to position digital access as a core education entitlement ahead of upcoming academic cycles.