Understanding DigiShakti eligibility is the first thing every student in Uttar Pradesh should do before attempting to register or complete eKYC. The scheme is large — targeting over one crore students — but it does have specific criteria that determine who qualifies for a free tablet or smartphone. Not every student enrolled in a UP college automatically gets a device. This guide lays out every eligibility condition for 2026, which courses qualify, who gets priority, what documents are needed, and how the government verifies your eligibility before a device reaches your hands.
Key Takeaways
- The scheme targets students in recognised UP government and aided institutions
- Class 10, Class 12, undergraduate, and ITI students are covered
- Rural students, girls, and SC/ST/OBC category students get priority
- Aadhaar with a linked mobile number is mandatory for all applicants
- Verification happens through the college — students do not apply individually
Who Is DigiShakti Scheme For?
The DigiShakti scheme is part of the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme launched by the Uttar Pradesh government. Its primary goal is to bridge the digital divide for students in the state, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds and rural areas. The scheme recognises that digital tools have become essential for modern education. As a result, it prioritises students who would otherwise have no access to a smartphone or tablet.
The scheme covers students across multiple levels of education — from Class 10 to undergraduate and technical programmes. Furthermore, both government and government-aided institutions are covered, ensuring wide reach across districts.
DigiShakti Eligibility Criteria 2026
The following criteria must all be met for a student to be considered eligible under the scheme in 2026.
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| State of Residence | Must be a resident of Uttar Pradesh |
| Institution Type | Must be enrolled in a recognised government or government-aided institution in UP |
| Academic Level | Class 10, Class 12, Undergraduate (UG), Diploma, or ITI programmes |
| Aadhaar Card | Must have a valid Aadhaar card |
| Mobile Number | Aadhaar must be linked to an active mobile number |
| Data Upload by College | The institution must have uploaded the student’s details to the DigiShakti portal |
| eKYC | Student must complete eKYC via MeriPehchaan portal |
Eligible Courses and Institutions
The scheme covers a broad range of academic programmes. Students in the following programmes are eligible.
- Class 10 and Class 12 students in government schools
- Undergraduate degree programmes (BA, BSc, BCom, and others)
- Medical undergraduate programmes (MBBS, BAMS, nursing)
- Technical undergraduate programmes (BTech, BCA)
- ITI (Industrial Training Institute) programmes
- Polytechnic diploma programmes
Additionally, students enrolled in universities and colleges affiliated with state universities of Uttar Pradesh qualify. Private unaided institutions are generally not covered unless specifically included in a particular distribution round.
Priority Categories
Within eligible students, the government gives distribution priority to certain groups. If you belong to any of the following categories, you are more likely to be included in earlier distribution batches.
- Girls and women students — consistently prioritised in UP digital education schemes
- SC/ST/OBC category students — special focus for social equity
- Students from rural areas — reduced digital access in villages makes this group a priority
- Students from economically weaker sections (EWS)
- Students with disabilities
However, priority does not mean exclusion of general category students. General category students are also covered — distribution simply happens in waves, and priority groups tend to be covered in earlier waves.
Documents Required
Students do not submit documents directly to the government. The college collects and verifies documents and then uploads student data to the DigiShakti portal. Nevertheless, students should have these documents available when requested by their institution.
- Aadhaar Card (original and photocopy)
- College or university enrollment confirmation
- Category certificate (for SC/ST/OBC applicants)
- Domicile certificate (proof of UP residence if required)
- College ID Card
At the time of physical device collection, you must bring your original Aadhaar card and college ID card to the distribution event. No device will be handed over without on-the-spot identity verification.
Who Is NOT Eligible?
Equally important is knowing who the scheme does not cover. The following students generally do not qualify.
- Students enrolled in private unaided colleges (unless specifically included)
- Students studying outside Uttar Pradesh
- Students who have already received a device under a previous DigiShakti distribution round
- Students whose college has not registered with UPDESCO
- Students without a valid Aadhaar card or without a mobile number linked to Aadhaar
How Eligibility Is Verified
Eligibility verification does not require students to appear before any officer or submit an application form separately. The entire verification process happens digitally through three steps.
- College uploads data: The institution submits enrolled student records to the UPDESCO portal
- Government cross-checks: Data is matched against Aadhaar database and scheme eligibility rules
- eKYC completion: The student confirms identity on MeriPehchaan portal using Aadhaar OTP
Once all three steps are complete, the student appears in the device distribution list. Moreover, the DigiShakti Mapper App is used by institutions at the time of distribution to link the specific device IMEI to the student’s Aadhaar record, creating an auditable trail.
Frequently Asked Questions — DigiShakti Eligibility
Can a postgraduate student get a device under DigiShakti?
The scheme primarily targets undergraduate and below. Postgraduate students are generally not included in standard distribution rounds. However, specific announcements should be checked on the official portal, as the scheme scope can be revised.
What if my college is private — am I ineligible?
Students in private unaided colleges are generally not covered under the standard DigiShakti scheme. Government and government-aided institutions are the primary beneficiaries. Check with your college administration for any exceptions applicable to your institution.
Can a student who already received a device apply again in 2026?
No. The scheme is designed as a one-time benefit per student. A student who already received a device in a previous distribution round is not eligible for another device under the same scheme.
Does income determine eligibility?
The scheme does not mandate a strict income cutoff for all applicants. However, students from economically weaker sections receive higher priority in device distribution batches. Additionally, certain rounds may specify income criteria — check the latest guidelines on the official portal.
My name is in the college list but not on DigiShakti portal — why?
This happens when your college has an internal list but has not yet uploaded it to the UPDESCO portal. Contact your college nodal officer and request immediate data upload. Until data is on the portal, your eKYC and distribution process cannot begin.
Is there an age limit for DigiShakti eligibility?
There is no strict published age limit. Eligibility is determined by academic enrollment in a qualifying programme and institution, not by age directly. However, students must be actively enrolled in a qualifying course during the scheme period.
Summary: DigiShakti eligibility in 2026 comes down to four things — being enrolled in a qualifying UP institution, having a valid Aadhaar with linked mobile, having your college upload your data, and completing eKYC. If all four are in place, you are in the distribution pipeline. For the complete guide to the scheme, visit DigiShakti scheme overview. For any eligibility doubts, your college nodal officer is the right first point of contact.
