The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved the establishment of Metro University in Greater Noida and a ₹3,000 crore plan to distribute 25 lakh free tablets to students. The decisions were made on April 7, 2026 .
Metro University will be built on 26.1 acres. Its focus will be job-oriented education linked to industry needs. The university operates under the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Act of 2019.
The free tablet distribution falls under the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme. This initiative aims to reduce the digital gap for students. It targets those in higher education and skill development programs. The government has already supplied 60 lakh smartphones since 2021.
Para-Teacher Honoraria Increase
The Cabinet also approved a significant increase in honoraria for para-teachers. This change benefits educators across the state.
Part-time instructors' monthly honorarium rose from ₹9,000 to ₹17,000. This affects 24,717 individuals. Shiksha Mitras will now receive ₹18,000 monthly, up from ₹10,000. This impacts 1.43 lakh Shiksha Mitras.
Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh stated the new rates are effective from April 1, 2026 . Increased payments will be disbursed starting in May 2026 . This represents an 80% pay hike. The raise addresses long-standing financial concerns for teachers.
Tablet Scheme Details
The free tablets are for students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and technical diploma programs. This includes ITI and skill development courses.
Digital resources are expected to improve job prospects. Students can explore self-employment and future career options. The government has allocated approximately ₹3,000 crore for the new tablet procurement.
UP Free Tablet Scheme 2026 Overview
| Feature | Details & Statistics |
| New Procurement | 25 Lakh Tablets |
| Estimated Cost | ₹3,000 Crore |
| Total Distributed (Since 2021) | 60 Lakh Devices |
| Eligible Courses | UG, PG, ITI, Diploma, Skill Development |
| Legal Authority | UP Private Universities Act, 2019 |
