E-Paper
‘Fake’: PIB Fact Check debunks claims of ‘National Student Laptop Scheme’
It clarified that the claim is fake and said the Government of India has not announced any such scheme.
PIB Fact Check on Thursday debunked a WhatsApp message claiming that the government is accepting applications for free laptops under the ‘National Student Laptop Scheme 2026’.
It clarified that the claim is fake and said the Government of India has not announced any such scheme. It further warned that such messages are often attempts to collect personal or financial information.
"Free laptops for students?
A WhatsApp message is circulating claiming that the Government is accepting applications for free laptops under the ‘National Student Laptop Scheme 2026," it said on X.
In an image shared by PIB Factchecker, the fraudulent link asks users to enter personal details such as their name, educational level, and other information to “apply” for the scheme. It also falsely claims that over 9.6 lakh students will receive free laptops in 2026.
It reiterated that no such scheme has been announced by the Government of India and urged citizens to exercise caution when encountering such messages online.
“Stay alert and report suspicious content to the appropriate authorities,” the fact-check unit said in its post.
The fact-checker unit urged people to not not click on unknown links and avoid forwarding unverified messages without checking official sources.
Similar claims made in past
The latest clarification comes amid the circulation of similar claims on social media. The fact-checking unit had previously addressed identical claims on April 27 and January 12, terming them fake and reiterating that no such laptop distribution scheme had been launched by the government.
It again stressed that users should verify such claims through official channels before sharing them further.
