Chennai, November 7: Tamil Nadu has sanctioned ₹2,000 crore to provide free laptops to eligible college students and established a high-level Investment Promotion Commission to accelerate industrial projects, as the state pursues its education and economic development targets.
The two initiatives address separate areas of public policy: access to digital learning for students in government and government-aided institutions, and administrative delays that can hold up investment proposals before they become operational projects.
Under the Vetri Laptop Scheme, students in the first and second years of undergraduate and diploma courses at government and government-aided institutions during the 2026–27 academic year will qualify for free laptops. The government has issued an order granting administrative approval and setting out the implementation guidelines for the scheme, which featured in the state budget for 2026–27.
The eligibility covers students enrolled in arts and science, engineering, polytechnic, industrial training, medicine, veterinary science, fisheries, agriculture and law courses. The government has also included third- and fourth-year students pursuing professional courses who did not receive laptops in the 2025–26 academic year.
Engineering students will receive higher-performance devices with Intel Core i5 processors or equivalent technology to meet the technical requirements of their courses.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will head a high-level steering committee to supervise implementation, monitor progress and coordinate the departments involved. The Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) will handle procurement and ensure that the laptops meet the prescribed quality standards and technical specifications.
The government has said the scheme is intended to improve digital literacy, technical skills and access to educational resources, particularly among students from lower- and middle-income families who may face difficulties purchasing computers for their studies. It also aims to address differences in access to digital learning tools and support students preparing for employment in technology-driven sectors.
Separately, the state has constituted the Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Commission (TNIPC), headed by the Chief Secretary, to coordinate investment proposals, expedite administrative clearances and facilitate projects arising from India’s Free Trade Agreements.
The Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Department established the commission under the Tamil Nadu Business Facilitation (Amendment) Act, 2026, which took effect on November 3. The Industries Secretary will serve as its member-convener.
The commission will include senior officials from departments dealing with finance, industries, energy, environment, revenue, housing, urban development, information technology, MSMEs, taxation, labour, skill development, water resources and municipal administration. Representatives from land administration, land reforms, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Guidance Tamil Nadu will also participate.
The mechanism is intended to improve coordination on land allocation, infrastructure, electricity, water supply and environmental clearances. A key objective is to address delays between the signing of investment agreements and the start of commercial operations.
The commission will also seek investments from the Tamil diaspora and strengthen the state’s appeal to domestic and international investors. The initiative forms part of Tamil Nadu’s target of becoming a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036, with the government recognising that investment commitments must translate into projects within stipulated timelines.
Tamil Nadu has set a merchandise export target of $72 billion for 2026–27, up from the existing level of $59 billion. It has also formulated district-specific export targets for all 38 districts to widen participation among manufacturers, farmers, entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The commission is expected to provide an administrative framework to move investment proposals towards implementation, with the stated objectives of generating employment and improving the state’s competitiveness in international markets.
