# PM laptop scheme and CM Punjab Honhaar laptop scheme: who qualifies and how to apply

URL: https://which.pk/money/guides/pm-laptop-scheme/
Author: Ahtisham
Updated: 19 Oct 2026

## Summary

The federal PM laptop scheme, run by HEC, is handing out 100,000 laptops announced in August 2025 to students at public universities with a CGPA of 2.80 or 60% marks; as of 19 Oct 2026 we found no new intake. Punjab's CM laptop scheme gives Core i7 13th-generation laptops to BS, medical and nursing students with a Punjab domicile and 65% to 80% in intermediate. Its Phase II applications closed in spring 2026 and laptops are being given out from October 2026.

## Key facts

- PM scheme: 100,000 laptops (2025-26)
- PM scheme status: Handing out, no new intake found
- Punjab Phase II: Handing out from Oct 2026
- Punjab laptop: Core i7, 13th gen

The PM laptop scheme, run by HEC, is handing out the **100,000 laptops** PM Shehbaz Sharif announced in August 2025 to students at public universities. As of 19 October 2026 we found **no new intake** for 2026. Punjab runs a separate scheme, the **CM Punjab laptop scheme** (often searched as the Honhaar laptop scheme, though Honhaar is Punjab's scholarship), for students with a Punjab domicile. Its Phase II applications are closed and laptops are **being handed out from October 2026**.

**Which one can you apply for?** As of 19 October 2026 we found neither taking new applications. The table below shows who each scheme covers, so you know which one to watch.

**CM Punjab laptop:** Core i7, 13th generation (Higher Education Department, Government of the Punjab, as of 19 Oct 2026)

## PM laptop scheme or CM Punjab laptop scheme: which is which?

| | PM laptop scheme | CM Punjab laptop scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | HEC, under the PM Youth Programme | Punjab Higher Education Department |
| Who | Students at recognised public institutions in every province, Islamabad, GB and AJK | Punjab-domicile students in BS, medical, dental, DVM and nursing programmes |
| Marks | CGPA 2.80 or 60% | 65% to 80% in intermediate, by programme |
| Private universities | No (public institutions) | Yes, if the university is on the scheme's list |
| Latest phase | 100,000 laptops, announced 13 Aug 2025 | Phase II, handing out from Oct 2026 |
| Apply at | pmyp.gov.pk or the Digital Youth Hub app | cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk |

You can't get both, at least not from the Punjab side: the CM scheme excludes anyone who has already received a laptop from any scheme.

## What are the PM laptop scheme eligibility criteria?

HEC's criteria for the 2025-26 phase, as Geo News reported them in February 2026:

- **Enrolled** in a PhD, MS/MPhil, Master's or Bachelor's programme at a **recognised public institution**.
- **CGPA of 2.80** or **60% marks**. First-year students use their intermediate (HSSC) marks.
- **Quotas:** 18% of laptops for students at Balochistan's institutions and 5% for distance-learning students.

Laptops are awarded on merit. Matric and intermediate students can't apply, because the scheme is for students already at university.

## Is there a PM laptop scheme Phase V in 2026?

We couldn't confirm one. On 20 February 2026 HEC's chairman said distribution of the 100,000 laptops was fully under way, and selected students were told to collect them from their university's focal person.

Websites disagree on a Phase V: some say it closed on 1 August 2026, others that it hasn't been announced. None cites an HEC notice. We couldn't open HEC's laptop portal on 19 October 2026, so we don't list a Phase V date.

## Who qualifies for the CM Punjab laptop scheme?

Punjab's Higher Education Department lists these rules:

- **Punjab domicile.**
- **BS students:** at least 65% in intermediate (55% for non-Muslim students, under the Phase II notice).
- **Medical and dental students:** at least 80%.
- **DVM students** at public universities or colleges: at least 75%.
- **BS Nursing** at public nursing colleges: at least 65%.
- **No earlier laptop** from any laptop scheme.

Phase II was for BS students in their **first or second semester**, Rawalpindi Women University's notice said. It covered public universities and colleges, chartered federal universities and listed private universities. Blind students qualify whatever their marks.

Separately, the department gives free laptops to **2,000 minority students** and to position holders in matric and intermediate board exams.

## CM Punjab laptop scheme Phase 2 update

The portal took Phase II applications from early 2026. The last date moved more than once as private universities, federal universities and AIOU were added, ending on **20 April 2026**. By 10 October 2026 the portal showed **163,326 applications**, with selection still under way.

On 17 October 2026 the CM gave laptops to **4,700 students** at the University of Sahiwal. The next day, Punjab's Information Minister said the second phase had been formally launched. In Phase I, 39,725 of 73,275 applicants were selected.

1. **Check your status** on cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk with the account you applied with.
2. **Fix email errors** through your university or college focal person, not the portal.
3. **Collect your laptop** at your institution's ceremony or from its focal person when your name is on the list.

**Where these figures come from:** The Phase II dates and application counts come from Pakera's reading of the portal on 10 Oct 2026. We couldn't open cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk ourselves on 19 Oct 2026. Eligibility rules come from the Higher Education Department's own page.

## What laptop do you get?

Punjab's laptops are **Core i7, 13th generation**, the Higher Education Department says. We couldn't find an official model or specification for the PM scheme's 2025-26 laptops.

If you'd rather buy now, our [credit card installment plans guide](/money/guides/credit-card-installment-plans/) compares 0% plans by bank. Punjab students can also check the [Honhaar Scholarship](/money/guides/honhaar-scholarship/) for tuition fees and the [CM Punjab electric bike scheme](/money/guides/cm-punjab-electric-bike-scheme/).

**More guides:** [Honhaar Scholarship](/money/guides/honhaar-scholarship/) · [CM Punjab electric bike scheme](/money/guides/cm-punjab-electric-bike-scheme/) · [Mobile on installment](/money/guides/mobile-on-installment/) · [Loans & Support](/money/loans/)

## Questions people ask

### Is the PM laptop scheme open in 2026?

As of 19 Oct 2026 we found no official new intake. HEC said in February 2026 that laptops from the 100,000-laptop phase were being handed out at universities.

### Can matric students apply for the PM laptop scheme?

No. HEC's criteria cover students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's, MS/MPhil or PhD programmes. In Punjab, position holders in matric and intermediate board exams get laptops under the CM scheme instead.

### What laptop do you get in the CM Punjab laptop scheme?

A Core i7, 13th-generation laptop, according to Punjab's Higher Education Department.

### Can private university students get the CM Punjab laptop?

Yes, if the university is on the scheme's list. Phase II covered BS students at listed private universities and chartered federal universities, as well as public ones.

## Sources

- [CM Laptop Program (2 Mar 2025)](https://hed.punjab.gov.pk/node/1712), Higher Education Department, Government of the Punjab (accessed 19 Oct 2026)
- [Laptops for meritorious students](https://hed.punjab.gov.pk/node/1675), Higher Education Department, Government of the Punjab (accessed 19 Oct 2026)
- [CM Punjab Laptop Program Phase-II, portal is live now (24 Feb 2026)](https://www.rwu.edu.pk/cm-punjab-laptop-program-phase-ii-portal-is-live-now/), Rawalpindi Women University (accessed 19 Oct 2026)
- [PM's scheme: Applicants urged to collect laptops from universities (20 Feb 2026)](https://www.geo.tv/latest/651968-pms-scheme-applicants-urged-to-collect-laptops-from-university), Geo News (accessed 19 Oct 2026)
- [Govt to provide 100,000 laptops to students: HEC (2 Jun 2023)](https://www.dawn.com/news/1757332), Dawn (accessed 19 Oct 2026)
- [CM Maryam revives laptop scheme after 8 years (1 May 2025)](https://www.nation.com.pk/01-May-2025/cm-maryam-revives-laptop-scheme-after-8-years), The Nation (accessed 19 Oct 2026)
- [CM Punjab Laptop Phase 2 status (checked 10 Oct 2026)](https://pakera.pk/check-cm-punjab-laptop-phase-2-status/), Pakera (accessed 19 Oct 2026)
- [Maryam says Punjab enters AI era, awards scholarships, laptops to students (17 Oct 2026)](https://pakobserver.net/maryam-says-punjab-enters-ai-era-awards-scholarships-laptops-to-students), Pakistan Observer (accessed 19 Oct 2026)
- [CM Punjab launches second phase of laptop, scholarship schemes (18 Oct 2026)](https://www.nation.com.pk/18-Oct-2026/cm-punjab-launches-second-phase-laptop-scholarship-schemes), The Nation (accessed 19 Oct 2026)