What is the CM Laptop Scheme?

An ambitious program to distribute free Core i7, 13th-generation laptops to high-performing and deserving students across Punjab and even other provinces.

Launched officially on Nov 20, 2024, it aims to bridge the digital divide, enhance academic outcomes, and equip students with modern tools for research and learning.

Key Features

Laptop Specs: Intel Core i7, 13th-generation machines .
Target Distribution:

20,000 to university students
14,000 to college students
4,000 to technical/agricultural colleges
2,000 to medical/dental colleges
Total: ~40,000 laptops, with 32% reserved for South Punjab and a 2,000-seat minority quota

Timeline:
- 5,000 laptops in first 30 days
- Remaining 35,000 by ~Feb 20–28, 2025
Objectives
1. Bridge the Digital Divide – Provide tech access to students lacking resources
2. Boost Academic Performance – Aid in research, projects, and online learning .
3. Encourage Digital Literacy & Workforce Readiness – Prepare students for a tech-driven economy
4. Equitable Access – Special quotas for underprivileged, South Punjab, and minority students
Eligibility Criteria
- Residency: Must be domiciled in Punjab
- Academic Performance:
- First-Time Recipients Only: Students who haven't received a laptop previously
- Minority & South Punjab Focus: Dedicated seats and quotas
Application Process
- Applications handled via educational institutions (no direct online registration for students)
- Institutions submit student lists to Punjab HEC; selection based on merit, exam results, and document verification
- Selected students are notified and provided laptops through organized distribution events/portals.
Additional Insights from Reddit

Public university focus, though there's talk of expanded eligibility to some private institutions .

Recipients often sign undertakings ensuring they don’t already own a laptop

Legitimacy: Many users confirm the scheme's credibility:

“Yes it’s legit and the laptops aren’t completely terrible.”
Summary

The CM Laptop Scheme is a merit-based, large-scale initiative providing high-performance laptops to deserving students in Punjab. Prioritizing academic excellence, equity, and digital literacy, it was relaunched in 2024 with a goal to distribute at least 40,000 Core i7 laptops—backed by transparent institutional selection and a structured distribution process.

Which province offers this scheme?
The CM Laptop Scheme is primarily offered by the Punjab provincial government under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s administration .
Provincial Focus

Core beneficiaries are students domiciled in Punjab, including those enrolled in both public and select private educational institutions .

This is a provincial initiative—designed, funded, and implemented by the Government of Punjab.

National Inclusion

Although based in Punjab, the scheme has been extended beyond the province:

A separate quota of 5,000 laptops is reserved for students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan .

Recipients from other regions can apply via an online portal, but the main administrative oversight remains with Punjab’s authorities .
In Summary:

The scheme is a Punjab government initiative, first targeting students in Punjab.

A defined portion of laptops is reserved for eligible students from other provinces and territories.

Administration, selection, and distribution are handled by Punjab’s higher education and public relations departments.
What is the purpose of the CM Laptop Scheme?

Purpose of the CM Laptop Scheme

The CM Laptop Scheme, launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Punjab, is aimed at empowering students through digital access and academic support. It is part of a broader vision to modernize education, reduce the digital divide, and enhance human capital development.
Main Objectives:

1. Promote Digital Inclusion

Provide free, high-performance laptops (Intel Core i7, 13th-gen) to students who lack access to modern technology.

Enable equitable access to educational resources, especially for underprivileged and rural students.

2. Support Academic Excellence

Reward high-performing students in universities, colleges, and technical institutions.

Encourage students to improve their academic performance to qualify.

3. Boost Online Learning & Research

Facilitate research, programming, content creation, and e-learning through access to reliable digital tools.

Help students participate in virtual classes, online certifications, and digital exams.

4. Prepare Youth for the Digital Economy

Equip students with technology that supports innovation, freelancing, and IT skills.

Aligns with Pakistan’s growing digital and tech economy.

5. Bridge Urban-Rural Tech Gap

Allocate quotas (e.g., 32% for South Punjab, special quota for minorities) to ensure geographical balance and inclusion of marginalized groups.

In Summary:

The CM Laptop Scheme aims to empower students through technology, reward academic merit, and prepare youth for a competitive, tech-driven future—especially in Punjab and underserved areas across Pakistan.
Which students are eligible for the CM Laptop Scheme?

Here are the eligibility requirements for the CM Punjab Laptop Scheme 2025:
Eligibility Criteria

Punjab Domicile: Must be a resident of any district in Punjab.

Enrollment:

For BS programs: Students must be in the 1st or 2nd semester at a public university or college.
For medical and dental students: Must be first-year students in recognized public medical or dental colleges.

Academic Requirements:

BS/General Students: Minimum 65% in Intermediate.
Medical/Dental Students: Minimum 80% in Intermediate.

Institution Type: Applicable for those studying in public sector educational institutions—universities, colleges, medical/dental colleges, technical/agricultural institutes, and Deeni Madaris.
No Prior Laptops: Students who received a similar laptop under any previous scheme are not eligible.

Who this Includes:

BS students (1st or 2nd semester) in public universities/colleges with ≥ 65% marks.
First-year medical and dental students with ≥ 80% marks.
Technical, agricultural colleges, and Deeni Madaris students (under specified academic criteria).
Minority students, top matric/intermediate performers from Punjab boards, and those enrolled in vocational/tech institutes are also included in special allocations.

Who is NOT Eligible:

Students from private universities (unless part of special allocations).
Repeat applicants who already received laptops in earlier schemes.

If you meet these conditions, you're eligible to apply. The application was open earlier this year (deadline was March 18, 2025), and distribution began in late April 2025, continuing in phases. If your institution is public and you're in the right semester and meet the marks requirement, keep an eye on your university’s registration process or contact your college administration for the next phase.

Is the scheme available for college or university students?

Yes — the CM Punjab Laptop Scheme is available to both college and university students, provided they study in public sector institutions in Punjab. Here's a breakdown:

Eligible Students

Institution Type	Program & Semester	Marks Requirement
Public universities	BS/BSc – 1st or 2nd semester	≥ 65% in Intermediate
Public colleges (HED)	BS/BSc – 1st or 2nd semester	≥ 65% in Intermediate
Public med/dental colleges	MBBS/BDS – 1st year	≥ 80% in Intermediate
Technical/agricultural colleges	Enrolled students (similar criteria)	Included in allocation
Deeni Madaris	As per merit via Auqaf department	Included under scheme

Allocation Overview

20,000 laptops → University students
14,000 laptops → College students
4,000 laptops → Technical/agricultural college students
2,000 laptops → Medical/dental students
2,000 laptops → Reserved for minority students

Who Isn't Covered

Students in private universities or colleges (unless part of special minority or merit quotas) are not eligible

Summary

Yes, both college and university students can receive laptops — as long as they:

Are enrolled in the first or second semester of a BS/BSc program (or first year of MBBS/BDS for medical students),
Attend a public sector institution in Punjab,
Meet the academic marks threshold, and
Have not received a laptop under any previous scheme.

How can students apply for the CM Laptop Scheme?

Here’s how students can apply for the CM Punjab Laptop Scheme 2025 step-by-step:

1. Visit the Official Portal

Go to cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk and click Sign Up / Register

2. Create an Account

Enter personal details: full name, CNIC/B‑Form number, email, mobile number, date of birth, and domicile district.
Create a password and complete registration.
3. Verify via OTP

You'll receive an OTP via email or SMS.
Enter it on the site to verify your account and proceed.

4. Fill Out the Application Form

Provide the following:

Personal info: CNIC, contact, DOB
Academic info: University/college roll number, intermediate marks, program, semester
Upload documents: CNIC, domicile, intermediate certificate (equivalence if O/A‑Levels), and other required files

5. Review & Submit

Double-check all information before submission—only one correction opportunity is allowed via your department’s focal person

6. Check Your Application Status

Log in later to view status updates.
Once verified, eligible candidates will receive notifications about laptop distribution details.

Timeline

Registration opened in early March 2025.
Distribution began in late April to May 2025, following Ramadan

Applicant Support Tips

Use your university roll number exactly as on your student ID.
O/A‑Level students must upload their equivalence certificate
If you spot errors post‑submission, immediately contact your departmental focal person to request corrections.

inal Checklist Before Applying

Are you a public-sector student from Punjab?
In 1st or 2nd semester of a BS/BSc or first year MBBS/BDS?
Have the minimum marks (65% for BS/BSc, 80% for medical/dental)?
Not received a laptop under any previous scheme?
If yes, you're ready to apply!

Is there any deadline to apply for the scheme?

The deadline for the CM Punjab Laptop Scheme 2025 was firmly set in mid-March 2025, and the window has since closed. Here's a summary based on the latest reliable information:

Application Deadline

A Facebook announcement from university authorities clearly stated it was 16 March 2025
An additional reminder urged students to apply by 18 March 2025.

Current Status

Applications were only accepted up to mid-March 2025.
Since we're now in mid-July 2025, no new applications are being accepted.

What You Can Do Next

If you submitted before the deadline, check your application status on the official portal.
Keep an eye out for any future announcements. Confirmed timelines often get shared through:

The official CM Punjab portal
Your college/university’s HED office
The Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC)

Looking Ahead

For the next rollout (likely in 2026), start preparing early:

Gather essential documents (CNIC, domicile, academic transcripts)
Monitor February–March 2026 for announcements regarding registration openings.

What is the role of HEC (Higher Education Commission) in this scheme?
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Punjab plays a central and supervisory role in the CM Punjab Laptop Scheme 2025:
1. Final Approval & Verification
- Instead of individual online applications, colleges and universities compile and submit lists of eligible students directly to HEC Punjab.
- HEC reviews and cross‑verifies academic records, identity documents, and eligibility criteria.
- They then finalize and approve the official list of beneficiaries. The final selections are published through HEC Punjab, not the individual institutions .
- 2. Publication of Selected Students

Role	Responsibility
University/College	Compile and submit student data to HEC
HEC Punjab	Verify, finalize, publish beneficiary list
Government/CM Office	Distribute laptops post‑approval by HEC

CM Laptop Scheme

What is the CM Laptop Scheme?