OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is making a major move into India with plans to establish its first office in New Delhi later this year. With India now standing as the company’s second-largest market by user base, this expansion marks a significant step in strengthening OpenAI’s global footprint. The company has already begun hiring local AI talent, underscoring its long-term commitment to developing AI “for India and with India.”

Key Highlights

OpenAI to set up first India office in New Delhi in 2025.

Hiring underway for AI engineers, researchers, and policy experts.

India is OpenAI’s second-largest market globally, driven by student and developer adoption.

Launch of ChatGPT Go subscription in India at just ₹399/month with UPI support.

Initiatives like OpenAI Academy, Study Mode, and Indic language support being introduced.

First Education Summit and Developer Day planned in India this year.

Government welcomes OpenAI as part of the IndiaAI Mission.

Why India Matters to OpenAI

India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets for OpenAI. In just a year, the number of weekly active users has quadrupled, with students and young professionals forming the largest user base. The country also ranks among the top five global developer markets, making it a natural choice for OpenAI’s expansion.

“India has all the ingredients to become a global AI leader—world-class tech talent, a vibrant developer ecosystem, and strong government support,” said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. “Building a local team in New Delhi is the first step in our journey to make advanced AI accessible across the country.”

India-Focused Initiatives

To further strengthen its presence, OpenAI has rolled out several India-specific initiatives:

ChatGPT Go: An affordable plan priced at ₹399/month, with UPI integration, making it the lowest-cost plan globally.

OpenAI Academy: An AI literacy programme launched in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and IT, aimed at boosting digital skills.

Study Mode: A new feature designed to help students learn interactively through AI-guided engagement.

Indic Language Support: Expanded capabilities in GPT-5 to make ChatGPT more accessible to diverse linguistic groups across India.

Summits & Events: The first Education Summit will be hosted this month, followed by a Developer Day later in the year.

Government and Industry Response

The Indian government has welcomed OpenAI’s entry. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “OpenAI’s decision reflects India’s growing leadership in digital innovation and AI adoption. With the IndiaAI Mission, we aim to build an inclusive AI ecosystem, and OpenAI’s presence will help bring these benefits to every citizen.”

Industry experts also note that OpenAI’s move could accelerate AI adoption in education, healthcare, fintech, and governance, while also creating new opportunities for Indian developers and researchers.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the enthusiasm, OpenAI faces challenges. The company is currently dealing with copyright lawsuits from news outlets and publishers in India, accusing it of unauthorized use of content for training ChatGPT. At the same time, competition is heating up, with Google’s Gemini and AI startup Perplexity aggressively expanding in the Indian market, offering premium features at competitive or even free tiers.

Conclusion

For OpenAI, India is both a strategic opportunity and a proving ground. With its massive youth population, tech talent, and rising digital ecosystem, the country is poised to play a central role in shaping the future of AI adoption. However, regulatory hurdles and increasing competition will test OpenAI’s ability to sustain long-term growth.

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