Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Government is expanding its digital education initiative through the UP Free Tablet Smartphone Yojana 2026, officially known as the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana. The scheme aims to provide free digital devices to students pursuing higher education, technical courses and skill-development programmes across the state.
Under this initiative, eligible students receive free tablets to access online study materials, digital learning resources, educational platforms and skill-development opportunities. The scheme was launched in 2021 to improve digital access and empower young people through technology.
According to the latest announcement dated November 14, 2026, the Uttar Pradesh Government has scheduled a programme to distribute 25 lakh tablets on November 15, 2026, at Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow.
Initially, the scheme covered the distribution of both tablets and smartphones. However, in July 2025, the state Cabinet approved a change in the distribution policy, deciding to provide tablets instead of smartphones to beneficiaries.
Students interested in the scheme should understand its objectives, eligibility conditions, required documents, e-KYC process and beneficiary status-checking procedure.
UP Free Tablet Smartphone Yojana 2026: Overview
The scheme is being implemented by the Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited (UPDESCO), under the Department of IT and Electronics, Uttar Pradesh.
- Scheme Name: UP Free Tablet Smartphone Yojana
- Official Name: Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana
- State: Uttar Pradesh
- Launched By: Government of Uttar Pradesh
- Launch Year: 2021
- Implementing Agency: UPDESCO
- Nodal Department: Department of IT and Electronics
- Main Benefit: Free tablets for eligible students
- Earlier Benefits: Tablets and smartphones
- Latest Announcement: Distribution of 25 lakh tablets
- Announcement Date: November 14, 2026
- Distribution Programme: November 15, 2026
- Beneficiaries: Eligible students pursuing higher education and skill-development courses
What Is the UP Free Tablet Smartphone Yojana 2026?
The UP Free Tablet Smartphone Yojana is a digital empowerment initiative launched by the Uttar Pradesh Government in 2021. Its official name is the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana.
The primary aim of the scheme is to provide digital devices to students enrolled in recognised higher education institutions and eligible skill-based courses.
Through this initiative, students can access online classes, e-books, digital libraries, educational applications, competitive examination resources and other learning materials.
The scheme is managed through the DigiShakti Portal, which enables the government, universities and educational institutions to manage student information, verify beneficiaries and monitor device distribution.
In July 2025, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved the distribution of tablets instead of smartphones. The decision was based on the greater suitability of tablets for educational purposes, including their larger screens and convenience for accessing digital study materials.
According to the government’s July 2025 Cabinet document, the scheme had already distributed 22.80 lakh tablets and 37.25 lakh smartphones. By April 9, 2025, a total of 53.50 lakh devices had been distributed.
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Latest Update: 25 Lakh Tablets to Be Distributed on November 15
The Uttar Pradesh Government announced on November 14, 2026, that a programme for distributing 25 lakh tablets would be organised on November 15, 2026, at Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow.
The announcement marks another major phase of the state’s digital empowerment initiative, providing educational technology to a large number of eligible students.
The latest programme is focused on tablet distribution, following the state Cabinet’s July 2025 decision to replace smartphones with tablets under the scheme.
Students awaiting their devices should stay in contact with their respective colleges and universities for information about beneficiary verification and distribution arrangements.
Objectives of the UP Free Tablet Yojana 2026
The main objective of the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana is to bridge the digital divide and improve access to education among students in Uttar Pradesh.
The major objectives of the scheme include:
- Promoting digital education: Providing students with access to online learning platforms and digital educational resources.
- Improving educational opportunities: Helping students access e-books, online lectures, study materials and academic resources.
- Supporting skill development: Enabling students to participate in online training and skill-development programmes.
- Encouraging employment opportunities: Improving access to career-related information, job portals and competitive examination resources.
- Reducing the digital divide: Making digital devices accessible to students who may not be able to afford them.
- Empowering youth: Promoting technological awareness and digital literacy among young people.
Eligibility Criteria for UP Free Tablet Smartphone Yojana 2026
Students must meet the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Uttar Pradesh Government and their respective educational institutions to receive benefits under the scheme.
The major categories of students covered include:
- Students enrolled in undergraduate (UG) courses.
- Students pursuing postgraduate (PG) programmes.
- Students studying in diploma courses.
- Students enrolled in skill-development programmes.
- Students pursuing paramedical courses.
- Students enrolled in eligible technical and professional education programmes.
- Students whose details have been verified and uploaded by their respective educational institutions through the DigiShakti Portal.
Important: Being a resident of Uttar Pradesh or possessing an Aadhaar card does not automatically guarantee eligibility. The final selection depends on the applicable government guidelines, course eligibility and verification by the concerned educational institution.
Students should contact their college or university to confirm whether their names have been included in the beneficiary records.
Documents Required for UP Free Tablet Yojana 2026
Students should keep the following documents and details ready for beneficiary verification and Aadhaar authentication:
- Aadhaar Card
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP authentication
- College or university identity card
- Admission proof or enrolment details
- University and educational institution details
- Course and academic information
- Recent passport-size photograph, if required by the institution
The final document requirements may vary depending on the institution’s verification process. Aadhaar authentication through the DigiShakti Portal is an important part of the verification procedure.
How to Apply for UP Free Tablet Smartphone Yojana 2026?
Students should note that the UP Free Tablet Yojana does not generally require a separate individual application form.
Instead, eligible educational institutions and universities identify students and upload their details to the DigiShakti Portal for verification.
Students can follow these steps to check their records and complete the required verification:
- Contact your college or university administration to confirm whether your name has been included in the list of eligible beneficiaries.
- Visit the official DigiShakti Portal at https://digishakti.up.gov.in/.
- Open the student-related section of the portal.
- Look for the student details and Aadhaar e-KYC facility.
- Select the e-KYC option through the MeriPehchaan Portal, if your student record is available.
- Enter the required university, institution and enrolment details.
- Complete Aadhaar authentication through the available verification process.
- After successful verification, wait for further instructions from your college or university regarding tablet distribution.
- Collect your tablet from the designated institution or distribution centre when your turn is announced.
Students should use only the official DigiShakti Portal for scheme-related information and verification.
How to Check UP Free Tablet Yojana Status 2026?
Students can check their beneficiary information through the official DigiShakti Portal.
Follow the steps below to check your details:
- Visit the official website: https://digishakti.up.gov.in/.
- Open the student-related section.
- Select the available option to search student details.
- Enter the required information, including university, institution and enrolment number.
- Check whether your student details are available on the portal.
- If e-KYC is required, follow the Aadhaar authentication instructions.
- Contact your college or university administration for confirmation of your beneficiary status and tablet distribution schedule.
The availability of student information on the portal does not necessarily confirm that a tablet has been allotted. Students should check with their institutions for the latest distribution updates.
UP Free Tablet Yojana 2026: Official Website
Students can visit the official DigiShakti Portal for beneficiary information, e-KYC-related services and scheme updates.
Official Website: https://digishakti.up.gov.in/
The portal is the primary platform for managing student information and coordinating the distribution of digital devices under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana.
