ISLAMABAD, October 26, 2026: Students across Pakistan can check their eligibility for the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme 2026 through an official registration portal, following the government’s announcement to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks over the next two years.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally launched the initiative in Islamabad on Sunday, October 25, promising to provide digital learning devices to deserving students and high academic achievers.
The programme aims to improve access to online education, digital libraries and learning resources, particularly for students who may otherwise struggle to afford a computer.
Each selected student is expected to receive a Chromebook, a carrying bag and a MiFi internet connectivity device. The government has said the distribution will be based on academic merit.
However, not every student is eligible to apply, and registration requirements differ depending on the educational board and region.
Here is what students and parents need to know about eligibility, online registration, required documents and application deadlines.
Who is eligible for the PM Chromebook Scheme 2026?
According to the official registration portal operated by the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC), eligibility is based on students’ performance in the 2026 annual examinations.
For students enrolled in government and public schools, the criteria are:
| Province or region | Eligible students |
|---|---|
| Punjab | Top-performing Grade 9 students |
| Sindh | Top-performing Grade 9 students |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Top-performing Grade 9 students |
| Balochistan | Top-performing Grade 9 students |
| Islamabad Capital Territory | Top-performing Grade 9 and Grade 10 students |
| Azad Jammu and Kashmir | Top-performing Grade 9 and Grade 10 students |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | Top-performing Grade 9 and Grade 10 students |
The eligibility criteria apply to students appearing in the relevant Secondary School Certificate examinations in 2026.
The IBCC portal currently specifies government and public-school enrolment as a requirement for applicants using this registration system.
Students attending private schools or religious seminaries should not assume they can register through the same portal.
How to apply for the PM Chromebook Scheme 2026
Eligible students can use the official IBCC registration portal to check their examination records and submit their applications.
Official website: PM Youth Chromebook Scheme registration portal
The registration process involves four steps.
Step 1: Select your educational board
Open the official portal and choose the examination board under which you appeared in your Grade 9 or Grade 10 annual examinations.
Enter the identification details requested by the system, including your examination number and date of birth.
Step 2: Verify your academic information
If your record is available, the portal will display information supplied by your educational board.
Check your name, school details and examination marks carefully.
Students should ensure that the displayed information matches their official academic records before proceeding.
Step 3: Upload the required documents
After confirming their details, eligible applicants must upload a recent photograph, examination marksheet and the required identification documents.
The uploaded files must be clear and meet the portal’s specified size limits.
Step 4: Submit your application
Review the information before submitting the form.
Once the application is submitted, the system generates a reference number and an acknowledgement slip.
Students should download and save the slip for future reference.
Important: The official portal states that students cannot independently edit their applications after submission. Incorrect information could affect their eligibility or allocation.
Documents required for Chromebook registration
Students should prepare the following documents before beginning their application:
| Required document | Format | Maximum size |
|---|---|---|
| Recent colour photograph | JPG or PNG | 300 KB |
| Grade 9 or Grade 10 marksheet | JPG, PNG or PDF | 300 KB |
| Attested B-Form or student CNIC | JPG, PNG or PDF | 300 KB |
| Attested father’s or guardian’s CNIC | JPG, PNG or PDF | 300 KB |
The photograph should clearly show the student’s face against a plain background.
Students should also keep their examination roll number or registration number and date of birth available.
These requirements are published on the official IBCC registration portal.
How many marks are required for a Chromebook?
Academic performance is the main selection criterion.
Education ministry officials have reportedly indicated that students must secure at least 50 percent marks to enter the merit-based selection process.
However, the official IBCC registration portal does not currently display a specific minimum percentage in its published eligibility criteria.
Instead, it identifies top-performing students as eligible for consideration.
Students should therefore distinguish between the reported minimum requirement and the final merit threshold.
Even if a student meets the minimum marks requirement, selection is not guaranteed. The number of available devices and the student’s position on the relevant merit list will determine whether they receive a Chromebook.
What is the last date to apply?
There is no single nationwide registration deadline displayed on the official portal.
Application dates may vary between educational boards, depending on examination results and registration arrangements.
Students should check announcements issued by their respective boards rather than rely on deadlines circulating through unofficial social media pages.
Important update for Sindh students
The IBCC portal has issued a separate notice for students in Sindh.
According to the notice, registration will open after all educational boards in the province announce their Grade 9 annual examination results for 2026.
This means students in Sindh may have to wait until the relevant registration process becomes available.
Students from other regions should also confirm whether their board is currently accepting applications.
Can private school and madrasa students apply?
The government’s broader Chromebook initiative includes students from different educational backgrounds, including registered religious seminaries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the inclusion of madrasa students during the scheme’s launch ceremony.
Education ministry officials have also described separate arrangements for students attending registered madaris and certain private schools supported by provincial education foundations.
However, the IBCC registration portal currently limits its published online eligibility criteria to government and public-school students.
This distinction is important.
Students of registered madaris and foundation-supported private schools should seek instructions from their institutions or relevant education authorities rather than use the public-school registration criteria as confirmation of eligibility.
What if your name or record is missing?
Some students may be unable to locate their examination records when using the registration portal.
The IBCC advises applicants to try their examination roll number or registration number if their identification number does not return a result.
Students should also ensure that their information has been entered correctly.
If the record remains unavailable, they should contact their respective educational board.
A missing record does not, by itself, establish whether a student has been selected or rejected.
How will students receive their Chromebooks?
The government has announced plans to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks nationwide within two years.
The devices are intended for deserving students and academic high achievers, with selection based on merit.
According to arrangements described by education ministry officials, examination boards and relevant education authorities will verify students’ academic results and institutional records.
Officials have also outlined a proposed distribution system involving recipient verification, device tracking and courier delivery.
However, students should wait for official confirmation of their selection and delivery arrangements.
Completing the registration form does not guarantee that a student will receive a Chromebook.
Will students receive free internet with the Chromebook?
The government has announced that MiFi connectivity devices will accompany the Chromebooks.
At the launch ceremony, officials said the internet connectivity initiative could benefit students and their families by improving access to digital educational resources.
However, the precise data packages, usage limits and duration of connectivity have not been clearly specified in the official registration instructions.
Students should therefore avoid assuming that the programme provides unlimited internet access.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PM Chromebook Scheme 2026 officially launched?
Yes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally launched the scheme on October 25, 2026, announcing a target of 500,000 Chromebooks over two years.
Can Grade 10 students apply?
Under the currently published IBCC portal criteria, Grade 10 students are eligible for consideration in Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Can university students apply?
The current IBCC Chromebook registration criteria do not include university students. The programme should not be confused with the separate Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme.
Is the Chromebook free?
The scheme has been announced as a distribution initiative for selected students. The official IBCC registration instructions do not specify an application fee.
Students should avoid paying individuals or unofficial websites that promise guaranteed selection.
Can students apply without examination results?
The current selection process relies on the 2026 annual examination results supplied by educational boards.
Students whose relevant results have not been declared should follow their board’s official announcements.
Does online registration guarantee selection?
No. Registration is part of the verification and selection process. The final allocation depends on merit and the availability of devices.
Where should students register?
Eligible applicants should use the official IBCC Chromebook registration website.
What students should do next
Students interested in the PM Chromebook Scheme 2026 should first check whether their class, school and educational board fall within the published eligibility criteria.
Those who qualify should prepare their documents, verify their examination records and complete registration whenever their board’s application process is available.
They should also retain their acknowledgement slip and follow official announcements regarding merit lists, verification and distribution.
For parents, the most important precaution is to avoid unofficial registration links or individuals offering guaranteed Chromebooks in exchange for money.
The scheme offers an opportunity to expand digital learning among students across Pakistan, but its success will depend on transparent merit-based selection, timely distribution and reliable access to educational resources.