According to the Higher Education Department (HEC), the first phase will distribute 10,000 laptops to students enrolled in private universities.

Officials said the scheme was already in progress, and the main aim of this expansion is to reduce the gap between students of public and private higher education institutions.

They confirmed that no changes have been made to the eligibility criteria. All applicants will be selected under the same merit rules as before.

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Under the criteria, students must be enrolled in a private educational institution located in Punjab and must have a strong academic record. At least 70 percent marks or an equivalent CGPA in the previous exam is required.

Students who received laptops in earlier phases will not be eligible this time.

The scheme continues to reserve quotas for female students, differently abled students and those from low-income families. Officials said these measures aim to ensure fair distribution and support those who need digital access the most.

The decision will help many private university students who were left out before. It also shows that the government wants equal digital access for all students. The unchanged merit rules keep the process fair. The reserved quotas will support students who have fewer resources.