If you have just finished Class 12 in Gujarat and are joining your first year of college, you can get a branded tablet for just ₹1,000, a device that normally sells for around ₹8,000 to ₹9,000. This is the NAMO e-Tablet scheme (sometimes written Namo e-Tab), run by the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat to help students study digitally. It is not quite free, but at ₹1,000 it is close, and the application is handled through your own college rather than a complicated online portal.
This guide explains who qualifies, what the tablet costs, which brands you get, the documents to keep ready, and exactly how to apply through your college.
Quick summary
- What it is: the NAMO e-Tablet scheme, giving first-year college students a tablet for a nominal ₹1,000.
- Real value: the tablets normally cost around ₹8,000 to ₹9,000.
- Who runs it: the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG), under the state Education Department.
- Eligibility: students who passed Class 12 in Gujarat and are in the first year of a college or polytechnic course.
- Brands: tablets are supplied by Acer and Lenovo.
- How to apply: through your college, not by a separate online form.
What the NAMO e-Tablet scheme is
The scheme is meant to put a digital learning device in the hands of every fresh college student in Gujarat at a price almost anyone can manage. The government subsidises most of the cost, so instead of paying the full market price, you pay a token ₹1,000. The idea is simple: with a tablet, students can access study material, online classes and resources that would otherwise need a costly laptop or smartphone.
Who is eligible?
- You must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board and institution in Gujarat.
- You should be enrolled in the first year of a college course (graduate or post-graduate) or a polytechnic/diploma programme.
- You apply in your first year through the institution where you have taken admission.
Exact eligibility and any priority conditions are set by KCG each year, so confirm the current rules with your college or on the official KCG website.
Cost and which tablet you get
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Amount you pay | ₹1,000 |
| Approximate market value | ₹8,000-9,000 |
| Supplying brands | Acer and Lenovo |
| Where you pay | to your institute/college |
The specific model and specifications can change from year to year, since the government tenders the supply, so ask your college which device is being issued in the current batch.
Documents to keep ready
- Aadhaar card
- Class 12 marksheet (with board and seat number)
- College admission proof
- Residence proof of Gujarat
- Category certificate and, where relevant, an income certificate or BPL card, if your college asks for them
- A passport-size photograph
How to apply, step by step
Unlike many schemes, you do not fill a public online form yourself, your college does the registration:
- Take admission in your first-year course at a recognised Gujarat college or polytechnic.
- Tell your college office that you want the NAMO e-Tablet, and ask about the current process and dates.
- Submit your documents (Class 12 marks, board and seat number, and the rest) to the institute.
- Pay the ₹1,000 to the head of the institute as instructed.
- Collect your tablet when the college distributes the batch, and keep the receipt safe.
It is subsidised, not free
You may see the scheme described online as a "free tablet." That is not accurate, you pay ₹1,000. The reason it feels almost free is the size of the subsidy: you are getting a device worth several times that amount for a token price. Treat anyone asking for more than the official ₹1,000, or a "processing fee" on top, as a warning sign, and confirm the amount with your college.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming it is a separate online application, when it goes through your college.
- Missing your college's internal deadline for the scheme.
- Not keeping your Class 12 board and seat number handy, which the college needs.
- Paying anything more than the official ₹1,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NAMO e-Tablet scheme?
It is a Gujarat government scheme, run by the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat, that gives first-year college students a branded tablet for a nominal ₹1,000, against a real value of about ₹8,000 to ₹9,000.
Who is eligible for the tablet scheme?
Students who passed Class 12 from a recognised board in Gujarat and are enrolled in the first year of a college course or a polytechnic/diploma programme.
Is the tablet really free?
No. You pay ₹1,000 for it. It is heavily subsidised, so the price is far below the tablet's market value, but it is not free.
Which tablet do students get?
The tablets are supplied by Acer and Lenovo. The exact model changes with each year's supply, so ask your college which device is being issued.
How do I apply for the NAMO e-Tablet?
Apply through your college after taking first-year admission. Inform the college office, submit your documents including your Class 12 board and seat number, pay the ₹1,000, and collect the tablet when it is distributed.
What documents do I need?
Aadhaar card, Class 12 marksheet, college admission proof, Gujarat residence proof, a photograph, and any category, income or BPL document your college requests.
Official sources
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Confirm the current details on the official source before you act.
