OpenAI Offers Free ChatGPT Go in India: A Strategic Move to Dominate the AI Market

OpenAI offers free ChatGPT Go for one year to all users in India | TechCrunch

OpenAI is offering its ChatGPT Go plan available free of charge for one year to users in India who sign up during a limited promotional period starting November 4, as the company looks to expand in one of its top markets. On Tuesday, OpenAI announced the promotion but did not specify how long the offer would remain available. Existing ChatGPT Go subscribers in India will also be eligible for the free 12-month plan, the company said. Priced at less than $5 per month, ChatGPT Go launched in India in August as OpenAI's most affordable paid subscription plan. The service later expanded to Indonesia and, earlier this month, to 16 additional countries across Asia. India, the world's most populous country with over 700 million smartphone users and more than a billion internet subscribers, has been a key market for OpenAI. The company opened its New Delhi office in August and is currently building a local team to expand its presence. Earlier this year, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said India was the company's second-largest market after the U.S. However, making money from ChatGPT's paid plans in the country has proven challenging. The app saw over 29 million downloads in the 90 days leading up to August, but generated just $3.6 million in in-app purchases during that period, according to Appfigures data reviewed by TechCrunch at the time. ChatGPT Go offers 10 times more usage than the free version for generating responses, creating images, and uploading files. It also features improved memory for more personalized responses, according to OpenAI. "Since initially launching ChatGPT Go in India a few months ago, the adoption and creativity we've seen from our users has been inspiring," said Nick Turley, vice president and head of ChatGPT, in a statement. "We're excited to see the amazing things our users will build, learn, and achieve with these tools." OpenAI's rivals, including Perplexity and Google, are also looking to tap into India's large and youthful user base. Perplexity recently partnered with Airtel to offer free Perplexity Pro subscriptions to the telecom operator's 360 million subscribers. Similarly, Google introduced a free one-year AI Pro plan for students in India. OpenAI is set to host its DevDay Exchange developer conference Bengaluru on November 4, where it's expected to make India-specific announcements aimed at local developers and enterprises.

OpenAI to Make ChatGPT Go Free for All Indian Users for One Year | AIM

Existing ChatGPT Go subscribers in India will also be eligible for the free 12-month promotion, with further details expected soon. OpenAI has announced that users in India will get free access to ChatGPT Go for one year, starting November 4. The move coincides with OpenAI's first DevDay Exchange event in Bengaluru on the same day. Launched in India in August, ChatGPT Go is a subscription plan that offers users broader access to ChatGPT's advanced features. The one-year free access will be available to all users in India who sign up during the limited promotional period. According to OpenAI, ChatGPT Go gives users higher message limits, more daily image generations, additional file and image uploads, and longer memory, all powered by OpenAI's GPT-5 model. Nick Turley, vice president and head of ChatGPT, said, "Since initially launching ChatGPT Go in India a few months ago, the adoption and creativity we've seen from our users has been inspiring. Ahead of our first DevDay Exchange event in India, we're making ChatGPT Go freely available for a year to help more people across India easily access and benefit from advanced AI." India is ChatGPT's second-largest and one of its fastest-growing markets. OpenAI said that in the first month after the launch of ChatGPT Go, the number of paid ChatGPT subscribers in India more than doubled. The company has since expanded the Go plan to nearly 90 markets worldwide. Existing ChatGPT Go subscribers in India will also be eligible for the free 12-month promotion, with further details expected soon. OpenAI said the initiative supports its India-first commitment and aligns with the Government of India's IndiaAI Mission. The company is also partnering with civil society organisations, educational platforms, and government-led programs to expand access to AI tools and promote inclusive innovation across the country. Previously, OpenAI announced plans to set up an office in New Delhi. Meanwhile, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss the company's plans to expand its operations in India. The company has also announced plans to open an office in Bengaluru.

OpenAI makes ChatGPT Go free across India

Starting November 4, every user in India will receive a free ChatGPT Go plan as OpenAI seeks to turn engagement into long-term market growth. OpenAI is offering a free one-year subscription to its ChatGPT Go plan to all users in India starting November 4, 2025, as part of its strategy to expand in the country's market, which ranks second to the United States. The plan, launched in August, costs less than $5 per month and represents OpenAI's most affordable paid option. ChatGPT Go provides users with access to advanced AI features at a lower price point tailored for emerging markets like India. The free subscription extends to every individual in the country, regardless of prior usage. This includes current subscribers to the plan, who will receive the 12-month complimentary access on top of their existing arrangements. OpenAI designed this initiative to boost adoption rates among a diverse user population, addressing the challenges of monetizing services in a price-sensitive environment. To support its growth in India, OpenAI established an office in New Delhi earlier this year. The company is actively recruiting and assembling a dedicated local team focused on operations, partnerships, and customer engagement. These steps aim to deepen integration with the Indian ecosystem, facilitating smoother service delivery and localized support. India holds strategic importance for OpenAI owing to its vast population of young, tech-savvy individuals. The country has seen substantial downloads of the ChatGPT app, reflecting high interest in AI tools. However, converting this engagement into revenue through paid subscriptions has proven difficult, prompting OpenAI to explore promotional tactics to build loyalty and eventual paid conversions. Competitors have employed comparable approaches to capture market share. Perplexity collaborated with telecom provider Airtel to distribute free Perplexity Pro subscriptions to 360 million Airtel customers across India. Similarly, Google rolled out a free one-year AI Pro plan specifically targeting students, providing premium access without upfront costs to encourage educational use of its AI offerings. On November 4, 2025, coinciding with the promotion launch, OpenAI will host its DevDay Exchange developer conference in Bengaluru. The event targets local developers and enterprises, with planned announcements tailored to Indian needs, including tools and integrations for regional applications.

ChatGPT subscription to become free: How to claim the OpenAI offer? Check eligibility, dates, validity

OpenAI has announced that it will offer a one-year free subscription to ChatGPT Go for all users in India. The initiative is part of the company's broader plan to strengthen its footprint in one of its fastest-growing markets for artificial intelligence tools. Both new and existing users who sign up during the promotional period will be eligible for the complimentary access. Launched in August at ₹399 per month, ChatGPT Go is OpenAI's mid-tier subscription between the free and Plus plans. It gives users access to enhanced capabilities such as higher message limits, daily image generation, file uploads, and extended memory for more personalized responses. The plan is powered by OpenAI's latest GPT-5 model and designed to offer a more capable version of ChatGPT suited for both personal and professional use. According to the company, ChatGPT Go was developed based on user feedback seeking more affordable access to advanced AI tools. Within a month of launch, the number of paid ChatGPT subscribers in India reportedly doubled, underscoring the rising demand for powerful AI solutions in the country. From November 4, all Indian users who sign up for ChatGPT Go during the limited promotional period will automatically receive one year of free access. Existing subscribers will also be eligible for the offer. However, OpenAI has not yet confirmed the end date of the promotion. The launch coincides with OpenAI's first DevDay Exchange developer event in Bengaluru on November 4, where the company is expected to announce more India-centric initiatives. A company spokesperson said the move aims to help more people in India "easily access and benefit from advanced AI." India has become OpenAI's second-largest market after the United States, with millions of users engaging with ChatGPT daily. The company plans to open its first office in New Delhi by the end of the year as part of its "India-first" growth strategy. OpenAI's Vice President and Head of ChatGPT, Nick Turley, told TechCrunch that the creativity and adoption among Indian users have been "inspiring," adding that the company looks forward to seeing what people "build, learn, and achieve" using its tools. The initiative also aligns with India's IndiaAI Mission, which seeks to expand the use of artificial intelligence across sectors. OpenAI has been working with local educational institutions and organizations to promote responsible and inclusive AI development.

OpenAI goes aggresive in India, offers free access to ChatGPT Go - The Economic Times

The move follows similar strategies by Perplexity and Google, both of which recently provided free access to premium AI features in India to attract users. Perplexity offered free access to its premium plan through a partnership with Airtel, while Google made its AI Pro membership, worth Rs 19,500, free for students for a year.In a bid to expand its Indian userbase, OpenAI will offer free access to its AI model ChatGPT Go for Indian users, its second-largest market globally, from November 4, the company said in a statement. The move follows similar strategies by Perplexity and Google, both of which recently provided free access to premium AI features in India to attract users. Perplexity offered free access to its premium plan through a partnership with Airtel, while Google made its AI Pro membership, worth Rs 19,500, free for students for a year. ChatGPT Go, launched in India in August, introduced affordable tier for Indian users, priced at Rs 399 per month. "Since launching ChatGPT Go in India a few months ago, the adoption and creativity we've seen from users has been inspiring," said Nick Turley, Vice President and Head of ChatGPT, in a statement. "Ahead of our first DevDay Exchange event in India, we're making ChatGPT Go freely available for a year to help more people across India access and benefit from advanced AI." The free access will include higher message limits, increased daily image generation and uploads, and longer memory for more personalised responses. Since the launch of ChatGPT Go, paid ChatGPT subscriptions in India have more than doubled, OpenAI said, adding that the Go plan has now expanded to nearly 90 markets worldwide. For OpenAI, India is its second-largest market and also its fastest-growing, founder and CEO, Sam Altman said recently. ET had earlier reported that OpenAI is in talks with Yotta, Sify, E2E Networks, and CtrlS to create data centres in India as part of its Stargate project.

OpenAI to make ChatGPT Go free in India for one year starting November 4

OpenAI has announced that its ChatGPT Go plan will be available free for one year to users in India who sign up during a limited-time promotional period starting November 4. The offer applies to both new and existing ChatGPT Go subscribers and aligns with the company's first DevDay Exchange event in Bengaluru, where it is expected to share India-focused developer updates. The complimentary offer will allow users in India to access ChatGPT Go for 12 months at no cost. Existing subscribers will automatically receive an additional year of free access, though OpenAI has not disclosed how long the promotion will remain open. The initiative reflects OpenAI's growing focus on India, identified as its second-largest and fastest-growing market after the United States. The company recently opened its New Delhi office and continues to expand its local team across education, enterprise, and developer roles. Launched in India in August 2025 at a monthly price of Rs. 399, ChatGPT Go serves as an affordable mid-tier plan positioned between the Free and Plus subscriptions. The plan provides up to 10 times more usage for generating text, images, and file uploads, along with longer memory for context-aware and personalized responses. It also includes expanded GPT-5 access, improved data analysis tools, and support for projects and custom GPTs. However, API usage, legacy models, and Sora are not part of the Go plan. OpenAI stated that in the first month after launch, paid ChatGPT subscriptions in India more than doubled, highlighting strong demand for accessible AI tools. Following this growth, the Go plan has expanded to nearly 90 countries worldwide. OpenAI's move mirrors a growing trend among AI companies targeting India's expanding user base. Google recently offered its AI Pro membership free for students, while Perplexity partnered with Airtel to provide free Perplexity Pro subscriptions to over 360 million users. On the announcement, Nick Turley, Vice President and Head of ChatGPT, said:

OpenAI is offering free ChatGPT Go subscription to Indian users: All we know

The offer comes as rivals like Perplexity and Google expand their own AI plans in India. After introducing its new affordable ChatGPT Go subscription, OpenAI is now making it available for free to users in India. Starting on November 4, users will be able to claim the ChatGPT Go plan for free for a year as part of a limited-time promotional offer. With this, the company hopes to grow its user base in one of its fastest-growing markets. The company confirmed the rollout on Tuesday, but did not specify how long the promotion would last. Existing ChatGPT Go subscribers in India will also receive free 12-month access, according to OpenAI. For those unfamiliar, OpenAI introduced the ChatGPT Go plan in India in August as the most affordable subscription tier, costing less than $5 per month. The plan provides a slew of advantages, including increased usage limits for generating responses, creating images, and uploading files, as well as improved memory for more personalised interactions. The service was later made available in Indonesia, and more recently, in 16 other Asian countries. This appears to be an excellent strategic move, as India is a strategic market for OpenAI, with over 700 million smartphone users and more than a billion internet subscribers. The company even established its first India office in New Delhi earlier this year and is currently building a local team. However, monetisation is still a challenge. Despite over 29 million app downloads between May and August, ChatGPT only generated $3.6 million in in-app purchases, according to Appfigures data cited by TechCrunch. Additionally, OpenAI is gearing up for its DevDay Exchange conference in Bengaluru on November 4, where it plans to make India-specific announcements for developers and enterprises. According to the company, India is one of the largest and fastest-growing ChatGPT markets, with millions of users engaged on a daily basis across education, business, and creativity. On the other hand, competitors such as Perplexity have recently partnered with Airtel to provide free Perplexity Pro access to its 360 million users. While Google has begun offering a free one-year AI Pro subscription to students in the country.