Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday approved the procurement of 25 lakh tablets estimated to cost around Rs 3,000 crore, which will be distributed to students free of cost under the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme, industrial development minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi said.“The distribution process will begin soon after completion of procurement formalities. A budgetary provision of Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for the scheme in the financial year 2025-26, with the entire expenditure to be borne by the state govt,” he added.The tablets will be provided free of cost to students enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, technical, health education, ITI and skill development programs.“The initiative will help students pursue their studies more effectively and also enable them to access employment, self-employment and various govt and non-govt opportunities in the future,” he said.The scheme also covers skilled youth registered on the ‘Seva Mitra’ portal, ensuring wider outreach among trainees and job seekers.Officials said the initiative is designed to equip the students with digital tools, preparing them for a technology-driven economy. The move is expected to significantly improve access to online education, digital resources and skill-based training.Launched in 2021-22, the scheme has already benefited around 60 lakh youths, who have received tablets and smartphones so far. Based on previous procurement trends, the cost of each tablet is estimated at around Rs 12,000.The purchase of 25 lakh tablets is expected to involve an overall expenditure of approximately Rs 3,000 crore.
