The CM Laptop Scheme 2026 is the Punjab government’s free laptop programme for students. Online applications for Phase 2 are now closed. Students are waiting for the verification and distribution schedule. As of 19 September 2026, I found no official date for laptop distribution and no official announcement of a new registration round.
Quick Answer
The application submission for the Chief Minister Punjab Laptop Scheme Phase II is closed, and a grievance phase ran from 2 to 6 June 2026. Officials have decided that students will be verified through NADRA before they get laptops, but the Phase 2 distribution date is not fixed. Do not trust any site that says applications are open unless it links to the official Higher Education Department portal.
CM Laptop Scheme 2026 at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | Chief Minister Punjab Laptop Scheme, Phase II |
| Run by | Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) |
| Led by | Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif |
| Laptop type | 13th generation Core i7 laptops |
| Target for Phase 2 | 100,000 students |
| Application status | Closed |
| Grievance phase | 2 to 6 June 2026 |
| Distribution date | Not announced yet |
| Official portal | cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk |
What Is the CM Punjab Laptop Scheme?
It is a merit-based scheme. Students with good marks get a laptop for study, research and online work. The government says the laptops help students with online education, research, freelancing and other digital work.
The Punjab government relaunched the scheme after an eight-year break. In the first phase, more than 40,000 students received laptops.
Latest Update and Current Status
Here is the timeline based on the sources I could verify.
- 15 February 2026: This was the first announced last date, according to a university notice.
- 9 March 2026: HED extended the last date to 20 March. It also said 131,805 applications had already been received.
- 2 to 6 June 2026: The grievance phase opened for students to raise complaints.
- 16 July 2026: The Chief Minister announced 100,000 laptops and 50,000 Honhaar Scholarships for students.
- 1 August 2026: The Laptop Steering Committee approved NADRA verification. The HED had not yet made the Phase 2 schedule. The government would seek the Chief Minister’s approval through a summary.
After 1 August 2026 I found no official update. Officials have not said when Phase 2 distribution will start.
Is Phase 3 or a New Registration Confirmed?
No. No official announcement has been made yet for a new round of registration. Some websites give new dates, such as 30 September 2026. I found no official proof for these dates. Please do not pay anyone or share your CNIC on unknown sites.
Who Could Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
The official notice listed these conditions:
- You must have a Punjab domicile.
- You must be in the 1st or 2nd semester of a 4-year BS programme at a public or private university.
- Medical and dental students in the 1st professional year could apply.
- BS Nursing students in the public sector could apply.
- You must not have received a laptop under any earlier scheme.
ADP, BS after ADP and CAF students were not eligible. Students of federally chartered universities and Allama Iqbal Open University could also apply.
Minimum Marks Needed
| Programme | Minimum marks |
|---|---|
| BS | 65% |
| Nursing | 65% |
| DVM | 75% |
| Medical and Dental | 85% |
Note that some websites say medical and dental students needed 80%. The 85% figure comes from the university notice that copies the official portal notice. Please confirm it on the portal.
Documents and Common Mistakes
The official guidance asked students to keep these points in mind.
- Enter your CNIC or B-Form number correctly.
- Choose the right academic session.
- Do not send a duplicate application.
- Keep the proof of submission. The notice also mentioned an affidavit printed on Rs. 100 stamp paper.
A small mistake in your details can cause delay during verification.
How Students Applied
The application was fully online. This is the process students followed.
- Open the official portal at cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk.
- Sign up as a candidate.
- Fill in your personal and academic details.
- Check the details and submit the form.
- Save the proof of submission.
This process is closed now. The steps are shown so you know what to expect if a new round is announced.
How to Check Your Laptop Scheme Status
Log in to the official portal with your account. Watch the portal and the HED announcements for the merit list and distribution schedule. If you have a problem with your application, contact your university’s focal person or IT office.
What to Do While You Wait
- Keep your CNIC, marksheet and proof of submission safe.
- Make sure your NADRA record matches your application.
- Follow only official sources for news.
- Ignore agents who ask for money to “confirm” a laptop. The scheme is free.
FAQs
Is the CM Laptop Scheme 2026 open for applications now?
No. The official notice says application submission is closed. No new round has been officially announced.
When will laptops be distributed under Phase 2?
The date is not announced yet. The steering committee did not fix a date, and it needs the Chief Minister’s approval first.
How many laptops will be given in Phase 2?
The government aims to give laptops to 100,000 students.
Will NADRA verification be needed?
Yes, according to reports. Students will be verified through NADRA before they receive devices.
Which laptop will students get?
The Chief Minister has said students will get 13th generation Core i7 laptops. Exact details like RAM and storage are not officially confirmed in the sources I checked.
Is the laptop really free?
Yes. The scheme gives laptops on merit. No fee has been mentioned in the official notices I found. Do not pay any agent.
Is there a South Punjab quota?
An earlier plan said 32 percent of recipients would be from Southern Punjab. That was reported for the first phase. A Phase 2 quota is not confirmed.
