Free laptop schemes are among the most searched education topics in Pakistan, and every few months students ask the same thing: is the laptop scheme 2026 open, who is eligible and how do I apply? There are two main programmes: the federal Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme run with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), and the Chief Minister’s Laptop Scheme in Punjab. This guide explains both, clearly separating what has been officially announced from what is only expected, so you are not misled by fake messages.
Status note (October 2026): details below are based on official announcements and reports available at the time of writing. Dates and criteria change between phases. Always confirm on the official portals: laptop.pmyp.gov.pk (federal) and cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk (Punjab). Both schemes are free; never pay anyone to “register” you.
PM Youth Laptop Scheme: Latest Status
What is confirmed
- The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and HEC have run several phases of the scheme since 2013, with hundreds of thousands of laptops distributed to public-sector university students.
- Phase IV, launched in 2025, targeted 100,000 laptops. Laptops reached universities in early 2026, and students collected them from their university focal persons.
- Applications are made online through laptop.pmyp.gov.pk, and status is checked with your CNIC.
What is reported or expected
- Education websites reported a further round (often called Phase V) with registration during 2026. Exact dates and numbers vary between sources, so rely on the official portal and your university notice board.
- The laptop model for each phase is usually confirmed close to distribution.
- Future phases are expected to continue under PMYP, but dates are announced only by HEC/PMYP.
Federal Laptop Scheme Eligibility
Criteria in recent phases have been broadly the same. Check the exact rules for the current phase before applying.
- Pakistani citizen or AJK/GB national with a valid CNIC (or B-Form where allowed).
- Enrolled in a public-sector university or HEC-recognised degree-awarding institute (main campus or recognised sub-campus).
- Regular student in an eligible programme (BS, MS/MPhil, PhD and similar).
- Minimum academic score in recent phases: about 2.8 CGPA (semester system) or 60% marks (annual system); first-semester students judged on intermediate marks.
- Must not have received a laptop under any previous federal or provincial scheme.
Usually not eligible: private university students, students of affiliated colleges, weekend/part-time programmes and students who will graduate before distribution.
How to Apply on the PMYP Portal
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open laptop.pmyp.gov.pk when your university announces registration. |
| 2 | Register with your CNIC and a mobile number in your own name (for OTP). |
| 3 | Enter university, campus, programme, roll number and academic marks/CGPA exactly as in university records. |
| 4 | Upload the required documents and photo if asked, then submit. |
| 5 | Your university focal person verifies the data; correct mistakes during the correction window. |
| 6 | Check the provisional and final merit lists on the portal using your CNIC. |
CM Punjab Laptop Scheme 2026
The Punjab government runs its own Chief Minister’s Laptop Scheme through the Higher Education Department, separate from the federal programme.
- Portal: cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk.
- Phase II: registration ran in early 2026 and the deadline was extended more than once, into spring 2026, according to news reports.
- Laptops: reports describe Core i7 13th-generation laptops, with tens of thousands of units across phases (exact totals differ between reports).
- Who can apply: Punjab domicile holders studying in public universities, colleges, medical/dental colleges and some technical institutes in Punjab.
- Merit: based on marks, with reported minimums of roughly 65% to 70% (or about 3.0 CGPA), and quotas for South Punjab and special categories.
Punjab criteria and quotas are set by the Higher Education Department and can change for each phase. Treat third-party summaries as a guide only.
Federal vs Punjab Laptop Scheme: Quick Comparison
| Point | PM Youth Laptop Scheme | CM Punjab Laptop Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | PMYP with HEC | Punjab Higher Education Department |
| Who | Public-sector university students across Pakistan | Punjab domicile students in Punjab public institutions |
| Portal | laptop.pmyp.gov.pk | cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk |
| Merit basis | CGPA / marks, quota by institution and programme | Marks, regional and category quotas |
| Fee | Free | Free |
| Can you get both? | No, previous recipients are excluded | No, previous recipients are excluded |
Merit, Documents and Collection
Documents usually needed
- CNIC (and domicile for Punjab).
- Recent photograph.
- Latest result card / transcript showing CGPA or marks.
- University or college enrolment/roll number and student card.
- Mobile number registered in your name.
Collection
Selected students are informed by SMS or email and through university notices. You must usually collect the laptop in person with your original CNIC and student card; proxy collection is generally not allowed.
Avoid Laptop Scheme Scams
- No fee is charged at any stage. Anyone asking for money via JazzCash or Easypaisa is a fraudster.
- Do not share OTP codes with anyone.
- Ignore WhatsApp links that are not the official .gov.pk portals.
- Fake “lists” circulate on social media; trust only the portal and your university.
FAQs
Is the PM laptop scheme 2026 registration open now?
Check laptop.pmyp.gov.pk and your university’s notice board. Registration windows are short and announced by HEC/PMYP.
Can private university students apply?
In recent federal phases, private university students were not eligible. Punjab’s scheme also focuses on public institutions.
What CGPA is needed for the laptop scheme?
Recent federal phases required around 2.8 CGPA or 60% marks. Punjab’s reported minimums are higher. Final merit depends on competition in your programme.
Which laptop is given in the scheme?
It varies by phase. Punjab reports mention Core i7 13th-gen models; the federal model is confirmed near distribution.
How can I check my laptop scheme status?
Enter your CNIC on the official portal’s status or merit list page.
Free laptops can be a big help for students, but always follow official sources. Have you applied for a laptop scheme this year? Share your experience or questions in the comments.