Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on September 1 transferred more than ₹304 crore directly into the bank accounts of 1,21,804 meritorious Class 12 students under the state’s Pratibhashali Vidyarthi Protsahan Yojana (Talented Student Incentive Scheme). Students who secured 75% or more marks in their Class 12 examination in their first attempt received ₹25,000 each to purchase a laptop.
At a programme held at the Kushabhau Thakre International Auditorium in Bhopal, Yadav also symbolically handed physical laptops to 10 students and interacted with young achievers about their ambitions. The Chief Minister urged students to set big goals, learn from failure and develop knowledge and skills alongside academic qualifications. The government says the initiative is intended to strengthen access to digital learning and technology as students move into higher education.
₹304 Crore Transferred
The latest transfer covers 1,21,804 students, with ₹25,000 credited to each beneficiary through Direct Benefit Transfer. The total amount comes to more than ₹304 crore. Importantly, the scheme provides financial assistance rather than a government-selected laptop, allowing students to purchase a device according to their academic requirements.
The Bhopal event also put the spotlight on students beyond their marks. Some beneficiaries spoke about clearing competitive examinations alongside their Class 12 studies and shared ambitions ranging from medicine and scientific research to entrepreneurship and public service. Yadav told students that good marks are an achievement but should not become a reason for arrogance. He encouraged them not to be discouraged by setbacks, saying that challenges and mistakes can become opportunities to grow.
“Set big goals, do not be afraid of challenges and focus on knowledge and skills along with education,” Yadav said. He also used the phrase, “Aaj learn karoge, to kal earn karoge” stressing the connection between learning, skills and future opportunities.
From 473 Students To More Than 1.2 Lakh Beneficiaries
The laptop assistance programme has been running since 2009-10, when it was introduced to encourage high-performing students and support their access to technology for further education. Yadav said the initiative, which began with just 473 students, has expanded considerably over the years. Eligibility currently covers students securing at least 75% in the Class 12 examination in their first attempt.
School Education Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh said the programme has reached around 6.5 lakh students overall, with government spending on the scheme reported at approximately ₹1,620 crore. Officials have described the assistance as a way of helping students access online learning resources, digital study material and e-learning platforms, while reducing some of the technology-related financial burden on families.
The latest distribution also reflects a broader shift in education, where access to a computer can increasingly influence how easily students use online courses, digital libraries, applications and other learning resources. Directly transferring the money gives beneficiaries the freedom to choose a laptop suited to their needs rather than receiving a standard device.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Academic achievement deserves recognition, but educational support should ultimately be about giving young people the freedom and resources to build meaningful futures. A ₹25,000 laptop grant can be valuable, particularly for families for whom buying a computer may otherwise be difficult. At the same time, marks should not become the only measure of a student’s potential.
Equal attention to teachers, digital access, skills, career guidance and opportunities for students who may not top examinations is essential for creating a genuinely inclusive education system. Yadav’s message about learning from failure is particularly important: young people should be encouraged to experiment, make mistakes and grow without feeling that one examination defines their worth. Do you think schemes like this can help bridge the digital divide, and what more should governments do to ensure every student gets an equal opportunity to learn and succeed?
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