“Owing to the spread of COVID, colleges were shut and classes held online. To ensure students participate in e-sessions uninterrupted, the Tamil Nadu government will provide free data cards to 9,69,047 students of government, government-aided and self-financed arts and science, polytechnic and engineering colleges,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.

The government has been providing free laptops to higher secondary school and college students, which has come in handy during the pandemic to ensure their participation in online classes. However, despite having the gadget, many students could not participate regularly due to high internet cost which many families could not afford. Following demands from students’ community, the CM announced 2 GB per day free data along with the free data card from January till April this year.

All the data cards will be supplied through Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (ELCOT). The State is currently conducting televised classes for school students so they can catch up with academics through the Kalvi TV channel and a few others.