UP Cabinet Approves 25 Lakh Tablets for Students Under Youth Empowerment Scheme

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved the purchase of 25 lakh tablets for free distribution among eligible young people under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on August 25. The state government has made a budget provision of Rs 2,374.60 crore for the scheme for 2026-27.

The tablets will be provided to eligible students and young people pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses, diploma programmes, skill-development courses and other educational and training programmes. The initiative is aimed at improving access to digital resources and helping students use technology as part of their education and training.

According to the state government, the scheme is not limited to providing students with electronic devices. It is designed to connect young people with digital resources that can support education, training, employment and self-employment opportunities.

The tablets are expected to help students access online learning material and complete parts of their academic curriculum through digital platforms. Young people covered by the scheme will also be able to use online training resources and access information about government and non-government programmes.

The latest Cabinet decision is part of a wider five-year plan under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana. The government said the programme aims to technologically empower young people and improve their access to opportunities in education and employment. Purchase orders will be issued to institutions selected through the tender process.

The move could be particularly important for students who have limited access to computers or other digital learning equipment. With education increasingly using online resources, students often need devices to attend digital classes, access study material, complete assignments and apply for courses or examinations.

The scheme also links education with employment and skill development. Students and trained youth can use digital platforms to find training programmes, learn new skills and explore employment or self-employment opportunities. This could make access to technology an important part of the state’s efforts to improve the employability of young people.

The Cabinet said the initiative would not create an additional financial burden for the Central Government. Uttar Pradesh Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said improved access to digital resources could support the quality of training and help young people develop skills needed for employment.

The scale of the programme also highlights the growing role of technology in education. Providing 25 lakh tablets could give a large number of students direct access to digital learning tools, particularly those pursuing higher education, technical education, health education and skill-development programmes.

For students, the benefit will depend not only on receiving the tablets but also on having reliable internet access, useful digital learning content and the skills required to use online resources effectively. If these elements work together, the programme could help more young people participate in digital education and training.