The Indian government has moved swiftly to debunk a widespread online scam that falsely promises free smartphones to women and students across the country. Authorities have clarified that no such official scheme, being fraudulently promoted as the 'PM Mobile Yojana', exists.
What is the Fake 'PM Mobile Yojana' Claim?
In recent days, social media platforms and certain websites have been flooded with posts and advertisements claiming that the central government has launched a new initiative named 'PM Mobile Yojana' or 'PM Smartphone Yojana'. These misleading promotions specifically target women and students, offering them free mobile phones. The fraudulent claims often include links to unofficial portals or forms that ask individuals to submit their personal details, including Aadhaar numbers and bank information, under the guise of 'registration'.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and other concerned agencies have confirmed that no such scheme has been announced by the Government of India. This fake news appears to be a deliberate attempt to mislead citizens and potentially harvest sensitive personal data for malicious purposes.
Government's Official Clarification and Public Warning
On January 3, 2026, the government's fact-checking unit, PIB Fact Check, officially labeled the viral claims as "fake". They explicitly stated that the central government is not running any scheme where free mobile phones are being distributed to women or students under the mentioned name.
Officials have urged the public to exercise extreme caution and rely only on information from verified government sources, such as official ministry websites (ending in .gov.in or .nic.in) and authenticated social media handles. Citizens are advised not to share any personal or financial information on such dubious portals.
How to Identify and Avoid Such Digital Frauds
This incident highlights the growing trend of cybercriminals exploiting the names of popular government schemes to dupe citizens. Here are key steps to stay protected:
- Verify Source Authenticity: Always cross-check any scheme announcement on the official website of the relevant ministry (e.g., MeitY) or through the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
- Beware of Data Harvesting: Legitimate government portals for schemes rarely ask for excessive personal details through unofficial links shared on social media.
- Report Suspicious Content: If you encounter such fake claims, report the post/page on the social media platform and inform the PIB Fact Check handle.
- Ignore Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: Be skeptical of offers that promise high-value goods like smartphones for free with minimal effort.
While the government runs several successful digital inclusion and welfare programs, this particular offer is a complete fabrication. Citizens must remain vigilant and help spread accurate information to prevent others from falling victim to these deceptive tactics. The authorities continue to monitor the situation and may take legal action against entities spreading this misinformation.
