OpenAI is preparing to open its first office in India, with New Delhi chosen as the strategic location. This move marks a significant step in the company’s global expansion and reflects India’s growing influence in the AI landscape.
Why India Is a Strategic Choice
India has rapidly emerged as one of OpenAI’s largest user bases, second only to the United States. The country has seen a fourfold increase in weekly active ChatGPT users over the past year, and it now hosts the largest student user population globally. Recognizing this momentum, OpenAI has formally registered a legal entity in India and initiated local hiring to build stronger ties with government agencies, businesses, developers, and academic institutions.
Building the India Team
The New Delhi office will serve as OpenAI’s operational hub in the region. Key appointments include Pragya Mishra, formerly with Meta and Truecaller, who will lead Public Policy and Partnerships, and Rishi Jaitly, ex-Twitter India head, who joins as Senior Advisor to support policy engagement with the Indian government.
Education and Developer Outreach
OpenAI is also investing in education and community development. It plans to host its first Education Summit in India this month, followed by a Developer Day later in the year. Additionally, the company is launching the OpenAI Academy for India, an AI literacy initiative in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, aimed at empowering students and professionals with foundational AI skills.
Localized Products for Indian Users
To better serve the Indian market, OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Go, a budget-friendly subscription plan priced at ₹399/month (approx. \$4.75). This plan includes UPI integration and offers users significantly more messaging and image generation capacity than the free version—making advanced AI tools more accessible to a broader audience.
Government Collaboration and Support
India’s national AI Mission aims to position the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed OpenAI’s entry, highlighting India’s “amazing tech talent, a world-class developer ecosystem, and strong government support” as key enablers of this partnership.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the enthusiasm, OpenAI faces several hurdles in India:
- Legal disputes over content usage and copyright
- Monetization challenges in a price-sensitive market
- Intense competition from rivals like Google’s Gemini and Perplexity AI
A New Chapter for AI in India
OpenAI’s decision to establish a presence in India signals a long-term commitment to building AI solutions for India and with India. As the country continues to embrace digital transformation, this move could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI education, innovation, and policy.