Has ‘Government of India’ invited applications for free laptops? PIB Fact Check Reveals Social Media Posts | Today’s news

The government on Monday dismissed as “false” claims doing the rounds on social media that the center had invited students to apply for free laptops under the ‘National Student Laptop Scheme 2026’.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), the government’s official fact-checking agency, clarified that “the Government of India has not announced any scheme by this name, nor has it invited students to apply for free laptops”.

“Caution! Fraudsters often use attractive offers such as free laptops, scholarships or monetary benefits to lure people into sharing personal, financial or banking information,” PIB said in a post on X.

A WhatsApp message is doing the rounds on social media

The clarification came after a WhatsApp message that claimed students could apply for free laptops through a government-backed scheme was widely circulated on social media.

💻 Have you come across the Free Laptop Scheme message?
⚠️ A #WhatsApp a report is circulating claiming that the government has invited students to apply for free laptops under the “National Student Laptop Scheme 2026”.#PIBFactCheck
❌This statement is #FALSE .
✅ The… pic.twitter.com/tToU3fxmzq

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) September 21, 2026