PM Laptop Scheme and CM Punjab Laptop Scheme: How It Works and How to Apply
Pakistan's government laptop schemes give free laptops to students on merit. The Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme runs through HEC and the Prime Minister's Youth Programme (pmyp.gov.pk), and Punjab runs its own CM Punjab laptop scheme for students in the province. This guide explains how these schemes usually work, where to apply, how to check your status and merit list, and how to avoid fake pages. Dates and rules change each phase, so always confirm on the official portal.
Updated 8 November 2026
What is the PM laptop scheme?
The Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme, also called the PM Youth Laptop Scheme or PMYP laptop scheme, is a federal programme that gives laptops to students of public sector universities and degree-awarding institutes. It is run by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) under the Prime Minister's Youth Programme. It was first launched over a decade ago and has come back in several phases under different governments, which is why people search for it as the PMLN laptop scheme, the Shahbaz Sharif laptop scheme or, for the 2021 round, the Imran Khan laptop scheme.
Each phase has its own announcement, number of laptops, eligibility rules and timeline. Searches like pm laptop scheme 2023, phase 4 or phase 5 all refer to particular rounds. Old phases are closed, so only the round that is open on the official portal matters.
CM Punjab laptop scheme and other provincial schemes
The Chief Minister laptop scheme is a separate, provincial programme. Punjab has run CM laptop schemes in the past, and the current Punjab government under Maryam Nawaz has announced a CM Punjab laptop scheme for students in Punjab's public colleges and universities. Searches like cm laptop scheme 2026 or punjab laptop scheme point to this.
Provincial schemes have their own portals and rules, set by the provincial Higher Education Department. Being eligible for one does not make you eligible for the other. Some universities and organisations also run their own laptop or tech programmes, so check your own university notice board and website as well.
Who is usually eligible?
Exact rules are set in each phase's official notice, but past rounds have followed a similar pattern:
- You must be a Pakistani student enrolled in a public sector university or degree-awarding institute recognised by HEC (for the federal scheme), or a public college or university in the province (for the CM scheme).
- Selection is on merit, usually based on your latest semester or annual result, with quotas by university and programme.
- Some rounds have included quotas for students from less developed areas, special persons and certain programmes.
- Students who already received a laptop from an earlier scheme are usually not eligible again.
Read the eligibility criteria on the official portal for the current phase before you apply, because a small detail such as programme type or semester can decide whether you qualify.
How to apply online
For the federal scheme, the application is normally done online through the Prime Minister's Youth Programme portal at pmyp.gov.pk, often on a laptop.pmyp.gov.pk page, and HEC announces the round on hec.gov.pk. For the Punjab scheme, follow the link given in the Punjab government's official announcement.
The usual steps are:
- Open the official portal when registration is announced.
- Create an account with your CNIC or B-Form, mobile number and email.
- Enter your university, programme, roll number and latest result.
- Submit, then check that your university's focal person has verified your data.
The last date to apply is set in each phase's announcement. Applying late is not possible once the portal closes, so register early.
Application status and merit list
After registration closes, universities verify student data and the scheme publishes merit lists, usually phase by phase and university by university. To check your pm laptop scheme application status, log in to the same portal with your CNIC and look for the status or merit list section. Your university's focal person or student affairs office can also confirm whether your name is on the list and when distribution will happen.
Distribution dates are announced separately and often take place in ceremonies at each university. If your status shows verified but you are not on the merit list, you were eligible but did not make the cut for that round.
Beware of fake laptop scheme pages
Because these searches are so popular, many fake Facebook pages, WhatsApp messages and websites copy the names. Keep these rules in mind:
- Government laptop schemes do not charge any registration or delivery fee. Anyone asking for money, a bank transfer or a JazzCash payment is a scammer.
- Apply only through official .gov.pk portals and links shared by HEC, your university or the provincial government.
- Do not share your CNIC, OTP codes or passwords with anyone claiming to be an agent.
- A Facebook page named pm laptop scheme is not proof of anything. Check the official website instead.
We are a private online laptop store and have no link with any government scheme. We cannot register you, check your status or speed up your selection.
Which laptops are given, and what if you do not qualify?
Scheme laptops are chosen by tender for each phase, and the model and specs change from round to round. They are meant for study: office work, online classes, research and light coding.
If you are not eligible, missed the deadline or need a laptop now, a Non Custom box pack business laptop is a practical alternative. A Core i5 HP EliteBook 840 G8, Dell Latitude 5430 or Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 handles university work comfortably and lasts for years. For tighter budgets see our laptops under 1 lakh page, and for degree-wise picks see laptops for students. We deliver across Pakistan in 48 to 72 hours with a 7-day checking warranty.
Tips for students waiting for the scheme
- Keep your result, CNIC or B-Form and university roll number ready, because portals usually open for a short window.
- Follow HEC and your university's official social media and notice board for the real announcement.
- Do not buy a laptop from anyone claiming it is a scheme laptop for sale. Scheme laptops are issued to named students.
- If you decide to buy your own laptop, pick 8GB RAM as the minimum, 16GB if you study engineering, design or computer science, and an SSD.
