The government’s fact-checking arm has once again stepped in to counter digital deception after a viral YouTube video falsely claimed the launch of a ‘Pradhan Mantri Free Mobile Yojana’ offering free mobile phones to women and students from Classes 9 to 12.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit categorically dismissed the claim, calling it fake, misleading and unsupported by any official government record.
In a post on X, PIB Fact Check debunked a video uploaded by the YouTube channel ‘Tech with Vermaji’, which alleged that the Centre had approved a nationwide scheme to distribute free smartphones to women and school students.
📣 कहीं आप भी भारत सरकार के नाम पर की जा रही ‘प्रधानमंत्री फ्री मोबाइल योजना’ जैसी धोखाधड़ी के शिकार तो नहीं हो रहे हैं❓#PIBFactCheck:
❌ #YouTube चैनल ‘Tech with Vermaji’ द्वारा सभी महिलाओं एवं कक्षा 9 से 12 के छात्रों को मुफ्त मोबाइल फोन दिए जाने का दावा #फर्जी है।
✅ भारत… pic.twitter.com/TOkg2QjZOp
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) December 30, 2025
The fact-check unit clarified that no such welfare programme exists and that the claims aim to mislead citizens by exploiting the credibility of government initiatives.
PIB Fact Check stated that it found no mention of any ‘Pradhan Mantri Free Mobile Yojana’ on official government portals. Searches conducted on gov.in and other authenticated platforms yielded no results, confirming the absence of any such policy or announcement.
The unit also reminded citizens that it had issued similar alerts earlier in 2025, warning against identical false claims circulating online.
The viral content relied heavily on manipulated visuals and misleading narratives. The attached video montage displayed social media posts falsely linking the alleged scheme to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by using his image and name.
PIB Fact Check flagged this tactic as a recurring scam strategy designed to gain public trust by falsely associating fake schemes with popular welfare branding.
Vulnerable Groups Often Targeted
Officials noted that such misinformation often targets vulnerable sections of society, including women and students, by promising benefits that never materialise.
The use of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image, according to PIB Fact Check, represents a deliberate attempt to lend legitimacy to fabricated announcements and drive online engagement.
The fact-checking unit urged citizens to remain vigilant and verify claims through official government channels before sharing or acting on such content. It reiterated that genuine welfare schemes always undergo formal announcements through authorised ministries and appear on verified government websites.
Public reaction to the debunking highlighted growing frustration with the speed at which misinformation spreads compared to official corrections.
Several users acknowledged PIB Fact Check’s role but called for stronger enforcement against habitual misinformation creators who repeatedly circulate fake welfare announcements for views and monetisation.
The episode once again underscores the challenges facing authorities in the digital information space.
While PIB Fact Check continues to dismantle false narratives, the persistence of such scams highlights the need for increased public awareness and accountability.
By decisively rejecting the viral claim, PIB Fact Check reaffirmed that the government has not announced any scheme to distribute free mobile phones under the name ‘Pradhan Mantri Free Mobile Yojana.’
The clarification serves as a reminder that accuracy, not virality, defines credibility in public discourse.
Also Read: PIB Fact Check Debunks Viral Claims Of New Taxes Under Income Tax Act, 2025
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