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

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.

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

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.

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 compares 0% plans by bank. Punjab students can also check the Honhaar Scholarship for tuition fees and the CM Punjab electric bike scheme.

More guides: Honhaar Scholarship · CM Punjab electric bike scheme · Mobile on installment · Loans & Support