Archive · 21 Sep 2026
PIB Debunks Fake Free Laptop Scheme Applications Claim
A message online said students could get free laptops from a government scheme.
The Press Information Bureau said this message is fake.
The Government of India has not announced a scheme called the National Student Laptop Scheme 2026.
It also has not asked students to submit applications for free laptops.
PIB warned that such offers may be used by fraudsters to collect private or banking information.
People should be careful before clicking links or sharing details.
PIB also said another online document about merging public-sector banks was not genuine.
That document falsely appeared to come from the Finance Ministry.
The Press Information Bureau said claims about a ‘National Student Laptop Scheme 2026’ are fake.
The Government of India has neither announced the scheme nor invited students to apply for free laptops.
The claim spread through a widely circulated WhatsApp message and other social media posts.
PIB warned that fraudsters may use free laptops, scholarships, or cash offers to obtain personal and financial information.
PIB also rejected a fake Finance Ministry gazette claiming several public-sector banks would be merged.
- Who
- The Press Information Bureau, the Government of India’s official fact-checking agency, issued the clarification.
- What
- PIB debunked claims about a free-laptop scheme and rejected a purported public-sector bank merger gazette as fake.
- When
- The clarification was issued on Monday; the cited PIB Fact Check post was dated September 21, 2026.
- Where
- The claims circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms in India.
- Why
- PIB said such attractive offers can be used by fraudsters to obtain personal, financial, or banking information.
PIB’s finding
Claims in the viral posts
Free-laptop applications
PIB’s finding
The Press Information Bureau said the Government of India had not announced the scheme or invited applications.
Claims in the viral posts
The circulated message claimed that students could apply for free laptops under the National Student Laptop Scheme 2026.
Bank merger document
PIB’s finding
PIB said the purported gazette was fake and had not been issued by the Ministry of Finance.
Claims in the viral posts
The document presented itself as an Extraordinary Gazette and claimed several public-sector banks would be amalgamated.
- Claimed scheme
- ‘National Student Laptop Scheme 2026’
- Government position
- No such scheme has been announced and no applications have been invited.
- Main channel of circulation
- WhatsApp and social media
- Warning from PIB
- Free laptops, scholarships, or cash offers may be used to lure people into sharing sensitive information.
- Other debunked document
- A purported Ministry of Finance gazette on public-sector bank amalgamations.
- Alleged bank mergers
- The document claimed mergers involving State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, and Bank of Baroda.