Quick answer: The latest round of the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme (Phase IV) offered 100,000 free laptops, announced in August 2025; by February 2026 the laptops had been delivered to universities, and selected students collected them from their university focal person after submitting documents. The scheme was extended to June 2026. We found no official announcement of a new phase or a new application window as of 30 October 2026 — when one opens it will be announced on the official PM Youth Programme portal (pmyp.gov.pk).
Table of contents (10)
- PM Laptop Scheme 2026 — complete overview
- PM Laptop Scheme 2026 vs CM Punjab Laptop Scheme — critical difference
- Eligibility for PM Laptop Scheme 2026
- How to apply for PM Laptop Scheme at pmyp.gov.pk (when a phase opens)
- Why applications get rejected — and how to avoid it
- What laptops are distributed under PM Laptop Scheme 2026
- PM Laptop Scheme 2026 — step-by-step guide for IUB and BZU students
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- Summary
Sources: The News (20 February 2026), Daily Ausaf report on the scheme’s extension to June 2026, ProPakistani (February 2026) — checked 30 October 2026. Last Updated: 30 October 2026.
This guide explains who has been eligible, how university verification works, and how the PM scheme differs from the CM Punjab Laptop Scheme.
PM Laptop Scheme 2026 — complete overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme (latest round: Phase IV) |
| Managed By | Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) + HEC Pakistan |
| Official Portal | pmyp.gov.pk |
| Total Laptops | 100,000 |
| Cost to Student | Zero — completely free |
| Eligible Institutions | Students enrolled in public / HEC-recognized universities and colleges (BS, Master’s, MPhil, PhD) |
| Private Universities | Check the official criteria of each phase |
| Selection Basis | Merit — CGPA/marks, with regional and socioeconomic inclusion |
| Verification Process | University focal person verifies each application before HEC merit list |
| Application Platform | pmyp.gov.pk (Students’ Service Portal) |
| Phase | Phase IV (announced Aug 2025, distributed early 2026); no new phase announced as of 30 Oct 2026 |
The PM Laptop Scheme 2026 targets a specific gap: students in public universities who have the academic ability to use technology for learning, research, and freelancing but lack access to a personal laptop. By providing free devices, the government enables participation in online learning platforms, digital skills training, and remote employment. For students at IUB who qualify, also check our guide on the IUB Ehsaas scholarship 2026 for additional financial support. For context on Pakistan’s higher education framework, see the HEC Wikipedia article.
PM Laptop Scheme 2026 vs CM Punjab Laptop Scheme — critical difference
Most students confuse these two. Here is the definitive comparison:
| Feature | PM Laptop Scheme 2026 | CM Punjab Laptop Scheme 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Federal Government (PMYP) | Punjab Government |
| Portal | pmyp.gov.pk | cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk (Phase II closed Feb 2026) |
| Coverage | All Pakistan — all provinces | Punjab students only |
| Institution type | Public HEC-recognized universities only | Public + affiliated colleges in Punjab |
| Total laptops | 100,000 | Set by Punjab HED for each phase |
| Selection basis | CGPA merit + regional inclusion | Merit-based + Punjab domicile |
| Eligible to apply both? | They are separate federal and provincial programs with separate portals; check each phase’s rules on whether a previous laptop recipient can apply. | |
The two schemes run on different portals and timelines, so a Punjab student must follow each one’s announcements separately.
Eligibility for PM Laptop Scheme 2026
Mandatory requirements (all must be met):
- Enrolled in a public sector university recognized by HEC. Private universities are explicitly excluded.
- Pakistani citizen — valid CNIC or B-Form (for students under 18).
- Undergraduate or Postgraduate student — BS, BBA, B.Com, BA, BSc, MS, MPhil, PhD programs.
- Academic performance: selection is merit-based on academic results and verified domicile; the exact marks/CGPA criteria are set in each phase’s official notice.
- Not previously received a laptop under an earlier phase (check the current notice).
- Application on the official portal, verified by your university’s focal person.
How to apply for PM Laptop Scheme at pmyp.gov.pk (when a phase opens)
- Go to pmyp.gov.pk — the official Digital Youth Hub portal. Do not use third-party registration sites.
- Create or update your profile — click “Register” or “Update Profile” on the Students’ Service Portal.
- Enter accurate personal details: CNIC/B-Form, full name, date of birth, province, and contact information.
- Enter academic details: university name, department, program, semester/year, student enrollment number, and current CGPA or percentage.
- Submit application before the official deadline — the deadline is given on pmyp.gov.pk when a phase opens.
- University verification step: Your university’s focal person reviews and verifies your submitted data — including CNIC match, enrollment number, and CGPA. Applications with mismatched data are marked “Not Verified” and excluded from merit lists.
- HEC merit list preparation: After university verification is complete, HEC compiles provisional merit lists per university and per degree level.
- Track status on pmyp.gov.pk — stages: Applied → Verified → Merit Listed → Selected.
Why applications get rejected — and how to avoid it
Every phase of the PM Laptop Scheme sees thousands of preventable rejections. Here are the most common reasons and their solutions:
| Rejection Reason | Prevention |
|---|---|
| CNIC mismatch with university record | Ensure CNIC used in pmyp.gov.pk matches exactly what’s in your university system |
| Enrollment number incorrect | Cross-check from your university registration card before entering |
| CGPA below threshold | Check HEC’s published minimum CGPA before applying — do not guess |
| University focal person didn’t verify in time | Follow up with your university’s IT or academic affairs office after submission |
| Status stuck at “Not Verified” | Contact university focal person immediately — unverified applications are excluded |
| Application submitted after deadline | Apply in first week of registration — portals sometimes close early |
| Private university student | PM Laptop Scheme is only for public HEC-recognized universities — not eligible |
IUB students at Islamia University Bahawalpur — a public HEC-recognized university — are eligible for the PM Laptop Scheme 2026. Combine this with IUB’s institutional scholarships by checking our guide on the IUB Khushi scholarship 2026.
Summary
The latest PM Youth Laptop Scheme round (Phase IV, 100,000 laptops) was distributed through universities in early 2026, and the scheme was extended to June 2026. No new phase had been announced when we checked on 30 October 2026. When one opens, apply on pmyp.gov.pk, keep your university data accurate and follow up with your focal person. The separate CM Punjab Laptop Scheme uses cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk (Phase II closed in February 2026). IUB students should also check the HEC need based scholarship 2026 and IUB fall admission 2026.