Earlier, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) carried out two projects named PM National Laptop Scheme Phase-I and II, which are now commonly known as “free Laptop for students in Pakistan”. The second phase saw HEC distributing about 500,000 laptops to students in public universities and colleges, including those in the Federal and FATA areas. They used a clear online system for this, and all information was made available on HEC’s website.
Now, you need a laptop as a student – no matter what. Besides, Pakistan has a unique situation – more than half (63%) of its people are under 30 years old. Therefore, the government has to focus on this young group because they can change the country’s future a lot. This can be good or bad, depending on how Pakistan supports them. This support can be in the form of good education, jobs, and chances to take part in meaningful activities. Thankfully, we have free laptops to aid digital learning.
Objectives & Vision of PM Free Laptop Pakistan
The government wants to:
- Improve education in science, technology, and ICT.
- Foster partnerships between industries and education/training providers.
- Create ‘smart’ campuses for better learning and networking.
- Increase productivity and value in manufacturing.
- Make the most of IT for education.
- Boost productivity and efficiency through advanced IT.
To realize this vision, the government believes in:
- Using computers as a tool for future growth.
- Aiming for all schools, colleges, and universities to go digital.
- Providing devices as a key part of ‘Smart Campus Systems’.
- Fully using IT to benefit education.
- The goal is to expose more young people to information and communication technologies (ICT). This will help reduce the digital divide not just in education, but in other areas too, and in communities across Pakistan.
What is Free Laptop Scheme in Pakistan?
The free Laptop for students in Pakistan scheme is the Prime Minister Youth Laptop Scheme (PMYLS) – Phase III. There are other prior phases.
The Prime Minister Youth Programme has launched the third phase of the Prime Minister Youth Laptop Scheme (PMYLS). In this round, 100,000 laptops will be given to deserving students from public sector Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) based on merit. The process will be transparent and conducted online.
If you are interested, you can apply on the PMYLS website at pmyp.gov.pk. Be sure to check out the full eligibility criteria to make sure you can apply. Don’t forget to register before the deadline: June 20.
Eligibility for PM Free Laptop
The scheme is open to students who enrolled in their programs according to the following dates:
| Degree Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| PhD | 5 Years |
| MS/ MPhil or Equivalent | 2 Years |
| BS (4 Years) | 4 Years |
As for the date of admission and program end date, below is the information:
| Degree Name | Date of Admission (Enrolled no earlier than) | Program End Date |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | 30-Jun-18 (Fall -18 and onwards) | 30-Jun |
| MS/ MPhil or Equivalent | 30-Jun-21 (Fall -21 and onwards) | 30-Jun |
| BS (4 Years) | 30-Jun-19 (Fall -19 and onwards) | 30-Jun |
Also, you should consider the following requirements:
- You need to have a valid CNIC/ B-Form number.
- You should be a valid student as of the closing date for application submission, i.e., June 20, 2024.
- You can apply if you are enrolled in a PhD/ MS/ MPhil or equivalent 18-year program.
- Students enrolled in a 4-year or 5-year bachelor’s degree program (morning and evening) can also apply.
Eligible Universities
This scheme is for students at public universities and institutes that offer degrees. These must be recognized by the HEC. There is a list of these universities provided by HEC.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to enhance your learning experience by getting a laptop! So, don’t miss out, make sure to apply before the deadline.
Who Can’t Get a Free Laptop Under This Scheme?
Here are the types of students who aren’t eligible for a laptop under this scheme:
- Students in private sector higher education institutes.
- Those who already got a laptop from any Federal or Provincial Government scheme.
- Foreign students, except those from AJK.
- Students who haven’t applied online or whose application wasn’t received through the online portal.
- Students who can’t provide the needed documents and academic performance proof at the time of laptop distribution.
- Students who completed their degree program before the laptop distribution.
How to Apply for Free Laptop for Students in Pakistan
To apply for the laptop, visit the Students’ Service Portal here or download the Mobile App. After that, you need to register or update your profile.
| How to Apply? | |
|---|---|
| Online portal | Visit the Student’s Service Portal to apply. |
| Mobile app | Download the Mobile App and register your profile. |
Who to Contact?
If you need more information, have queries, or face any issues while applying, you can contact:
| Need Help? | Contact Info |
|---|---|
| Q&A Page | Visit Q&A Page |
| Send an email to pmyls@hec.gov.pk | |
| Call | Call at 051-111-119-432 / 0334 111 9432 |
| SFC NDU Students Facilitation Center (SFC) PRSA&IT NDU | Call at 051-9262066 Ext (3331, 3332 & 3335) |
Do You Have a Problem with SMS While Applying?
If you face issues receiving SMS while applying for a free Laptop for students in Pakistan, register your complaints and include your cell phone number. Send it to PMYLS@hec.gov.pk.
Is Laptop Scheme Real in Pakistan?
Yes, the laptop scheme in Pakistan is real 100%. It is offered by the Pakistan government. However, you have to be aware of scams. There are many fake websites out there that claim to be partners of this program; that is not true. Only use the original website provided in this guide to apply for a free Laptop for students in Pakistan.
Distribution Strategy/Selection criteria
Step 1: Online Application
Students must apply online through the HEC portal before the application deadline.
Step 2: Initial Screening
An automated system checks eligibility, filtering out ineligible applications.
Step 3: Verification by Focal Person
The focal person from each department verifies the student data through their online account, such as the name, CNIC, department, degree level, and last exam percentage/CGPA.
Step 4: Amendments (if necessary)
If there are any discrepancies in the student data, the focal person will correct it after getting the accurate information from the student or the institute.
Step 5: Approval or Disapproval
Depending on the application’s nature, the focal person will either verify the student, disapprove the application or correct the information within a given timeframe.
Step 6: Allocation of Laptops
Each institute will get a share of laptops based on a predefined quota, as outlined in the eligibility and merit criteria.
Step 7: Automatic Merit List Generation
After the verification deadline, the system automatically generates merit lists for each university. HEC then shares these provisional merit lists with the institutes for cross-checking.
Step 8: Cross-Checking by Institutes
Institutes must cross-check the provisional merit lists and reply within 15 days.
Step 9: Final Merit List Generation
Once any discrepancies have been corrected, HEC will share the final merit lists with the institutes.
Step 10: Publication of the Merit List
Each institute must display the final merit list on its notice boards, websites, and social media pages. HEC will also publish the lists online, where students and the public can view them.
Step 11: Distribution of Laptops
Laptops are distributed based on merit for each degree program (PhD, MS/M.Phil., and 16 years of education). The quota for each university, campus, degree program, department, and year is predetermined.
Step 12: Special Allocation for Balochistan HEI’s
14,000 laptops (14% of the total) will be distributed to students from accredited universities in Balochistan.
Step 13: Remaining Allocation
The remaining 86,000 laptops are distributed among public sector HEIs, based on their enrollment preferences.
Read also: Fully funded scholarships for Pakistani students in Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
We have also covered some FAQs that you will need if you have common concerns about this free Laptop for students in Pakistan.
I am a university student. How do I apply for the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop scheme?
You can sign up for this scheme by visiting the Students’ Service Portal at laptop.pmyp.gov.pk. Follow the instructions there to register. If you registered or validated your details during Phase II of the scheme, all you need to do is update your profile on the portal.
How can I find out if I got selected for a laptop?
Easy! Just head over to the Student Service Portal at laptop.pmyp.gov.pk to check your status.
I saw “disapproved” on my status. What’s that about?
The university person in charge might disapprove your application if they find errors in your academic records or if you’ve misbehaved at school.
Can someone else pick up my laptop for me?
No, sorry, you have to pick it up yourself. Make sure you’re at the given place at the right time. If you can’t make it, get in touch with your university within ten working days. If you don’t, you might lose your chance to get the laptop.
My status says I’m selected. When will I receive my laptop?
Your university will hand out the laptops on a specific date. You’ll get an email telling you when and where you can pick yours up. If you need more info, ask the person at your university who’s in charge of distributing the laptops.
I made a mistake when I was registering. I gave wrong information. What do I do now?
Don’t panic! Just get in touch with the person at your university who’s responsible for this scheme before they check the data.
I couldn’t find my department when I was registering. What should I do?
Reach out to the person in charge at your university or Higher Education Institution (HEI). They’ll update the list as per the criteria.
Read also: MBBS Scholarships for Pakistani Students in UK
