In a major push to engage India’s rapidly growing AI community, OpenAI announced on Tuesday, October 28, that it will provide one year of free access to ChatGPT Go for all Indian users signing up starting November 4. The offer coincides with the company’s first DevDay Exchange event in Bengaluru, aimed at bringing together developers, researchers, and AI enthusiasts from across the country.
ChatGPT Go, introduced in India in August, is a subscription plan priced at ₹399 per month, designed to give users affordable access to advanced ChatGPT features. It allows higher daily messaging limits, expanded file and image uploads, and access to OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-5, along with “limited” capabilities for advanced research tasks. Nick Turley, OpenAI’s vice president and head of ChatGPT, said, “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 Drives Surge in ChatGPT Go Users
The initiative reflects India’s importance to OpenAI, as the country has quickly become its second-largest market, with paid subscribers doubling within a month of ChatGPT Go’s launch. Millions of Indian users including students, professionals, and developers are leveraging the platform for productivity, creativity, and research purposes. Existing ChatGPT Go subscribers will also benefit from the 12-month free period, with redemption details expected to be shared soon.
OpenAI’s decision is part of its “India-first” strategy, aligned with the government-backed IndiaAI Mission, which promotes AI adoption and literacy across industries and educational sectors. The company has been strengthening its local presence, opening a Delhi office and hiring for education and sales roles, while also running awareness campaigns through billboards and online promotions.
OpenAI Expands AI Access Beyond Cities
The move is also in line with OpenAI’s broader goal of democratising AI, ensuring that access to advanced tools reaches beyond metropolitan cities. According to Turley, the offer aims to empower Indian users to “build, learn, and achieve” with AI technologies, capitalising on the creativity and engagement witnessed since ChatGPT Go’s rollout.
Since its launch in India, ChatGPT Go’s success has prompted OpenAI to expand the service to nearly 90 global markets, demonstrating both the high demand and adoption potential for accessible AI tools worldwide.
