# PIB fact-check: no free laptop scheme from government 2026-09-21T14:01:42+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The government on Monday dismissed as 'fake' social media claims that it had invited applications from students for free laptops under a 'National Student Laptop Scheme 2026'. The Press Information Bureau's fact-checking arm, PIB Fact Check, said in a post on X that no such scheme has been announced by the government of India. "Beware! Fraudsters often use attractive offers such as free laptops, scholarships, or cash benefits to lure people into sharing personal, financial, or banking information," the PIB warned. The clarification came after a WhatsApp message circulated widely alleging a government-backed free laptop scheme. This is the second recent fact-check from the PIB. Earlier, it also rejected a fake gazette notification claiming the merger of several public sector banks, including Indian Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, and Central Bank of India into the State Bank of India. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The PIB's fact-check unit has become the government's primary tool to counter viral misinformation, especially around welfare schemes and financial notifications. Under the Information Technology Rules 2021, the government designated PIB as the official fact-checker for all matters related to central government departments. With general elections due in 2024 and state polls approaching, fake scheme notifications often spike, targeting students and low-income groups who are vulnerable to phishing. The bank merger hoax, too, mirrors a real consolidation drive undertaken between 2019 and 2020, when 10 public sector banks were merged into four. The PIB has advised the public to verify any such offer on its official website or X handle before sharing personal data. Users should watch for further PIB alerts as election season approaches and fraudsters refine their tactics. ## Coverage - livemint.com Tags: fake news, Government of India, laptop scheme, PIB, PIB Fact Check Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/pib-fact-check-no-free-laptop-scheme-from-government/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/pib-fact-check-no-free-laptop-scheme-from-government/#story-in-brief