Free Laptops, AI Training, Sports Push: Vijay's First Tamil Nadu Budget Makes A Strong Play For Gen-Z

Published 5 August 2026 · tech

News india Free Laptops, AI Training, Sports Push: Vijay's First Tamil Nadu Budget Makes A Strong Play For Gen-Z Free Laptops, AI Training, Sports Push

News india Free Laptops, AI Training, Sports Push: Vijay's First Tamil Nadu Budget Makes A Strong Play For Gen-Z Free Laptops, AI Training, Sports Push: Vijay's First Tamil Nadu Budget Makes A Strong Play For Gen-Z Published By, Last Updated: August 05, 2026, 13:04 IST Tamil Nadu Budget: The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government's maiden budget unveiled a series of schemes targeted squarely at students and young job-seekers. Rapid Read Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay. (X) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay appears to have made one thing clear in his first budget: he wants to win over the Gen-Z. From free laptops and branded bicycles to artificial intelligence training in partnership with IIT Madras, industry-linked skill programmes and sports initiatives, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government’s maiden budget unveiled a series of schemes targeted squarely at students and young job-seekers. Presenting the Budget, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Dr N.

Marie Wilson announced measures spanning education, employability, technology and youth welfare. Free Laptops For College Students One of the flagship announcements is the ‘Vetri Laptop Scheme’, under which college students will receive free laptops. The government earmarked Rs 2,000 crore for the initiative, saying the devices will serve as an essential learning resource to improve academic outcomes and digital skills. Bicycles For Over 5 Lakh Students The Budget also promises branded bicycles, complete with helmets and water bottles, for around 5.32 lakh Class XI students studying in government and government-aided schools. The scheme, which has an allocation of Rs 277 crore, specifically identifies beneficiaries as “Gen-Z students." Big Bet On AI And Future Skills Technology and employability form another major pillar of the Budget. The government has partnered with IIT Madras to launch an AI Industry Development Programme aimed at training five lakh youth by 2031. The initiative will cover engineering colleges, polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

In addition, artificial intelligence and machine learning courses will be introduced in 50 ITIs over the next five years, with an expected 24,000 students benefiting from the programme. At the school level, the TN SPARK initiative, which teaches artificial intelligence, robotics and digital technologies, will be expanded to 2,600 more schools, extending its reach beyond the existing 5,000 government schools. Focus On Jobs And Employability The Budget also places significant emphasis on employment generation. Under the newly launched Vetri Skill Training Scheme, the government plans to provide industry-oriented training to 12 lakh college students and one lakh unemployed youth this year. A separate internship programme, to be implemented with government departments and private industry, will initially cover 20,000 young people, offering monthly stipends. Preference will be given to candidates from families without permanent sources of employment. The government also announced a programme to retrain mechanics working on conventional vehicles in electric vehicle servicing, with 22,500 people expected to benefit over five years.