States » NorthPosted at: Nov 15 2026 7:07PM


UP: Yogi launches 2nd phase of 2.5 million tablet distribution campaign

Lucknow, Nov 15 (UNI) To digitally empower youth, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the second phase of the 2.5 million tablet distribution campaign under the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme here today.
At a programme organized on the occasion of Tribal Pride Day and the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda, the Chief Minister distributed tablets to more than 50,000 students and trainees from over 300 educational institutions in Lucknow, Hardoi, Sitapur, and Unnao, part of the Lucknow division.
The Chief Minister stated that these tablets, distributed in collaboration with Infosys, provide free study material for more than 18,000 courses. Along with studying modern subjects ranging from yoga to artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech, youth will also gain information about central and state government schemes. He stated that in the last nine and a half years, the state government has provided government jobs to more than 9.05 lakh youth.
Explaining the importance of tablets to young people, the Chief Minister further said that they are not just a means of entertainment, but a key to securing their future. They should be used for knowledge, innovation, and nation-building. Connect to digital libraries to gain information about the country and the world and develop your skills. He said that the government has changed its policy to meet the needs and demands of young people and has decided to provide tablets instead of smartphones.
Yogi explained that through the Yuva Saathi app on tablets, young people will have access to information about central and state government schemes. These include scholarships, Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, PM Internship, CM Yuva Yojana, and PM Mudra Yojana. Over 18,000 free courses have also been provided in collaboration with Infosys. Young people can study yoga, mathematics, artificial intelligence, deep tech, and other subjects according to their interests.
The Chief Minister said that Uttar Pradesh is producing over two lakh science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates annually. The state is also among the leading states in the country in the fields of engineering, polytechnic, and vocational education. Global companies like Tata, Samsung, Hinduja and HCL are helping in training the youth of the state as per the future needs.
The Chief Minister, justifying the event on November 15, the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda, said that at the age of just 25, Birsa Munda shook the foundations of British rule and proclaimed the nation's independence. He fought to protect the motherland, honour, and self-respect. Today, with that same resolve, work is underway to build a new India in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. He noted that Swami Vivekananda is India's greatest spiritual youth icon. The Youth Empowerment Campaign was launched in his name. This scheme was launched on December 25, 2021, on the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. At that time, studies and examinations were being disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government decided that despite the pandemic, students' studies and examinations would not be disrupted. To this end, a target was set to provide tablets and smartphones to 20 million youth. In the first phase, devices have already been distributed to 6 million students.
Yogi said that India is the youngest nation in the world. Approximately 56 per cent of the country's population is young, while in Uttar Pradesh, the youth share ranges from 56 to 60 per cent.
Citing the examples of Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Mahatma Buddha, Adi Shankaracharya, Abhimanyu, Guru Govind Singh, Rani Lakshmibai, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Chandrashekhar Azad, and other revolutionaries, he conveyed the message of determination and national service to the youth.
Attacking the Samajwadi Party government, the Chief Minister said that before 2017, youth in the state were deprived of timely education, exams, and employment opportunities. Previously, whenever a recruitment drive was announced, the uncle-nephew duo would set out to extort money. It was difficult to get a job without transactions and receipts.
He said that the Samajwadi Party had the opportunity to rule the government four times, but it failed to provide jobs to the youth. Yes, during that period, "Munnabhai" (Munna Bhai) was certainly created, where someone would take the exam and someone else would receive the appointment letter, he claimed.
Yogi charged that during the SP government, the Saifai Syndicate had filled the recruitment process with such individuals. His government cancelled such appointments. Now, recruitment in the state is being conducted with transparency and honesty. He stated that in the last nine and a half years, the state government has provided government jobs to 9.05 lakh youth, he claimed.
He announced that by January 26, the state government is preparing to issue appointment letters to more than one lakh youth. He stated that twice the number of youth present at this event, 50- 55,000, will likely be issued appointment letters by January 26. Sharing the details, he mentioned 3,568 will be appointed in the Education Department, 1,375 in the Panchayati Raj Department, 470 in skilled athletes, 28 in Forensic Science, 4,543 in the Police Department, and 1,146 in the Revenue Department. He also informed about the completion of the recruitment process for 8,000 accountants, 32,000 policemen, and 42,000 home guards. He said that efforts are underway to issue appointment letters to 42,000 home guards in the next 10 days. Large-scale recruitment will also be made through the Education Department and various commissions.
The Chief Minister stated that the zero tolerance policy towards crime and criminals has transformed the image and identity of Uttar Pradesh. Now, there is no curfew, no riots, and everything is fine in Uttar Pradesh. The mafia has been wiped out, and the rioters have gone into hiding. Strict action has been taken against those who played with the lives of youth and the counterfeit mafia.
He said that previously, people in other states would shy away from Uttar Pradesh, but today, the state's youth, businessmen, and daughters are receiving respect nationally and internationally. Overcoming the stigma of a sick state, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as one of the top three economies in the country, he claimed.
Targeting the previous governments, he charged that previous governments considered the state's population of over 250 million a burden, but his government saw it as a demographic dividend and worked to provide opportunities for the youth.
The Chief Minister said that the government is establishing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Economic and Industrial Zones in every district. An industrial city will be developed on 56,000 acres in Bundelkhand. Uttar Pradesh manufactures 55 per cent of the country's mobile phones, while 60 per cent of electronic components are manufactured in the state. Before 2017, there were only 120 startups in the state; today, their number has grown to over 25,000. Under the CM Yuva Yojana, interest-free and guarantee-free loans are being provided so that youth become job creators, not job seekers.
Citing the example of the HCL unit in Lucknow, he said that in 2017, only 100 people worked there, but today 18,000 youth are employed. The BrahMos missile project has also provided opportunities for the state's youth. 500 were selected through AKTU. The AK-203 rifle is being manufactured in Amethi, and its components are being produced in Kanpur.
The Chief Minister appealed to the youth who will turn 18 on January 1, 2027, to register their names in the voter list. He said that becoming a voter is a campaign to strengthen the democratic system. Making an ineligible person a voter is an attempt to take away the rights of an eligible person. Youth should understand both their constitutional rights and responsibilities.
The Chief Minister also said that the state now has the rule of law, not the rule of the mafia. Expanding security, investment, industry, and employment opportunities is the foundation for youth empowerment. The tablets placed in the hands of youth will serve as a means to further this change, he added.
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