The Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana is a special program started by the Rajasthan government to help women and students stay connected in today’s digital world. Launched on August 10, 2023, by former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, it aims to give free smartphones to millions of women and girls, along with three years of free internet. This scheme wants to empower them by making technology accessible, helping with education, and opening doors to new opportunities. It’s a big step toward ensuring that women and students, especially from rural areas, aren’t left behind in the modern age. In this article, we’ll explore what this scheme is, who can benefit, how to apply, and why it’s so important. Let’s dive into the details and see how this program is changing lives for the better.
What Is the Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana?
The Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana, also called IGSY, is a Rajasthan government plan to give free smartphones to women and girls. It started as a way to help them use technology for education, work, and staying informed. The scheme targets 1.35 crore women from Chiranjeevi families, plus female students in government schools and colleges. In the first phase, 40 lakh women got phones with three years of free internet. The goal is to make women digitally strong, helping them access online services, government schemes, and learning resources. It’s a step toward equality, ensuring women and girls can keep up in a tech-driven world.
Why Was This Scheme Started?
The Rajasthan government launched this scheme to bridge the digital gap for women and girls. Many in rural areas don’t have access to smartphones or the internet, which limits their education and opportunities. The program wants to change that by giving them tools to learn online, find jobs, or even start small businesses. It’s also about empowerment—helping women stay informed about government programs, health, and safety. By providing free phones and internet, the scheme aims to make sure women aren’t left behind as the world moves online. It’s a way to support women’s growth and independence, especially for those in tough situations like widows or single mothers, who often struggle the most.
Supporting Women’s Empowerment
This scheme is all about giving women a voice in the digital age. With a smartphone, they can connect with others, learn new skills, and access services like banking or health advice. For example, a widow can now check her pension status online without traveling far. It also helps women join online communities, share ideas, and feel less isolated. By giving them technology, the government hopes to boost their confidence and independence, making them more active in their families and society.
Helping Students with Education
For female students in classes 9 to 12, or those in colleges, ITIs, and polytechnics, this scheme is a game-changer. A smartphone means they can study online, watch educational videos, or join virtual classes—especially helpful in remote areas. They can also look up information for projects or exams, which was hard without internet access before. This support helps girls stay on track with their education, opening doors to better jobs and a brighter future.
Who Can Get a Free Smartphone?
Not everyone can get a phone under this scheme—there are specific rules. It’s mainly for women who are part of Chiranjeevi families, a Rajasthan health program. Widows or single women on pensions qualify, as do women who’ve worked 100 days under MNREGA in rural areas or 50 days in urban jobs. Female students in government schools from class 9 to 12, or in colleges, ITIs, and polytechnics, are also eligible. You must be a Rajasthan resident to apply. The idea is to help those who need it most, like women and girls from poorer families who can’t afford smartphones.
Eligibility for Women
Women qualify if they’re part of a Chiranjeevi family or receive a widow/single woman pension. Those who’ve worked under MNREGA for 100 days in rural areas or 50 days in urban jobs also make the cut. You need to be a Rajasthan resident, and your family shouldn’t already have a smartphone from another government scheme. This ensures the phones go to women who really need them, especially those struggling financially.
Eligibility for Students
Female students in government schools from classes 9 to 12 can get a phone, as can girls in government colleges, ITIs, or polytechnics. They must be Rajasthan residents and enrolled in these institutions. The scheme focuses on girls because they often face more barriers to education, like lack of resources. A smartphone helps them study better, especially in areas where schools lack good facilities or teachers.
How to Apply for the Scheme?
Applying for the Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana involves a few steps. First, check if your name is on the beneficiary list by visiting the Rajasthan Jan Soochna portal. You’ll need your Jan Aadhaar number to see if you’re eligible. If your name is there, head to a nearby Mehngai Rahat Camp or IGSY camp—details are on the official website, igsy.rajasthan.gov.in. At the camp, they’ll verify your documents, do an e-KYC, and help you pick a phone. You’ll get Rs. 6,800 through an e-wallet app to buy a smartphone of your choice. Camps are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Sundays.
Checking Your Name on the List
To see if you’re eligible, go to the Jan Soochna portal at jansoochna.rajasthan.gov.in. Look for the “Eligibility for Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana” option. Enter your Jan Aadhaar number and select your category—like student or widow. Hit submit, and the portal will show if your name is on the list. If it is, you can visit a camp to get your phone. If not, you might qualify in the second phase, so keep checking for updates.
Documents You’ll Need
You’ll need a few papers to apply at the camp. Bring your Jan Aadhaar card, a recent passport-size photo, and your PPO number if you’re a widow on pension. Single women need their death benefit fund card. A PAN card is helpful, but if you don’t have one, you’ll need to fill out a Form B. These documents help verify your identity and eligibility, so make sure they’re up-to-date and correct before heading to the camp.
Benefits of the Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana
This scheme brings big benefits for women and students. They get a free smartphone worth up to Rs. 6,800, plus three years of free internet. This means they can access online education, government services, and job opportunities without spending money. Women can learn digital skills, like using apps for banking or health, making life easier. Students can study better with online resources, helping them compete in school. It also helps women stay connected, reducing isolation and building confidence. Overall, it’s a way to bring them into the digital world.
Access to Education and Jobs
With a smartphone, students can watch lessons online, do research, or join study groups, which is huge for girls in rural areas. Women can look for jobs, learn new skills—like tailoring or online selling—and even start small businesses. For example, a woman can sell handmade crafts online, earning money from home. This access to education and work opportunities helps them grow financially and personally, creating a better future.
Staying Connected and Informed
A smartphone keeps women and girls connected to the world. They can call or message family, join women’s groups, or follow news about government schemes. For instance, a mother can learn about health programs for her kids. It also helps them stay safe—apps can share emergency contacts or safety tips. Being informed and connected makes them feel more secure and part of a community, which is especially important for those in remote areas.
Challenges and Updates in 2025
While the scheme has helped many, it’s faced challenges. By early 2025, only about 24 lakh out of 1.35 crore women had received phones, according to a question raised in the Rajasthan Assembly. After the government changed in late 2023, the new BJP government reviewed the scheme. Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said they’d examine its benefits before deciding its future. Some worry it might stop, but no clear decision has been made. Women still waiting are hopeful, as the scheme could continue if the government sees its value. Check the official website for the latest updates.
Delays in Phone Distribution
The slow pace of distribution has frustrated many. The first phase aimed for 40 lakh women, but by 2025, only 24 lakh had phones. Camps can be hard to reach for rural women, and some faced issues with e-KYC or missing names on the list. The change in government also paused progress, as the new leaders wanted to review the scheme. This delay has left many women waiting, but there’s hope for the second phase if the program continues.
Future of the Scheme
As of May 2025, the scheme’s future isn’t certain. The Rajasthan government is assessing its impact—looking at how it’s helped women and if it’s worth the cost. Some women worry it might end, especially since the new government hasn’t committed yet. Others hope the remaining 95 lakh women will get phones in the second phase. For now, keep an eye on the official website, igsy.rajasthan.gov.in, or the Jan Soochna portal for news on whether the program will expand or change.
How This Scheme Is Changing Lives
The Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana is making a real difference. Women who never used a smartphone before are now learning to video-call their kids or check crop prices online. Students in remote villages are watching science lessons on YouTube, helping them pass exams. Widows are accessing pension details without long trips, saving time and money. It’s giving them confidence to handle technology, connect with others, and chase new opportunities. While there are hurdles, the scheme is a powerful step toward equality, showing women and girls they can thrive in a digital world with the right tools.
Stories of Real Impact
Take Sunita, a widow from a small Rajasthan village. She got her phone in 2023 and now uses it to check her pension and talk to her son in the city. Or Priya, a class 10 student, who watches math tutorials online and improved her grades. These stories show how the scheme is opening doors—helping women manage daily tasks and giving girls a fair shot at education. It’s not just a phone; it’s a way to feel capable and connected.
Building a Digital Future
This scheme is more than free phones—it’s about building a future where women and girls aren’t left out. By teaching them digital skills, it prepares them for a world that’s increasingly online. They can apply for jobs, learn new things, or even teach others, creating a ripple effect. It’s a step toward a Rajasthan where every woman and girl has the tools to succeed, proving that technology can be a powerful way to lift everyone up.
Final Thoughts on the Scheme
The Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana is a heartfelt effort to bring women and students into the digital age. It’s giving them free smartphones and internet to learn, work, and connect, which is life-changing for many. Despite challenges like delays and uncertainty in 2025, its impact is clear—women are gaining confidence, and girls are studying better. If the government keeps supporting it, this scheme could reach millions more, creating a more equal Rajasthan. For now, check your eligibility, apply if you can, and join the digital journey that’s empowering women and girls every day.
