In a move set to shake up the AI landscape in India, OpenAI has announced free, one-year access to ChatGPT Go for all Indian users beginning November 4, the same day the company hosts its first-ever DevDay Exchange in Bengaluru.
The announcement underscores India’s growing influence in the global AI ecosystem, as the country has rapidly become one of ChatGPT’s largest and fastest-growing markets.
ChatGPT Go, introduced earlier this year, sits between the free and Plus tiers offering advanced tools like GPT-5 access, higher message limits, image creation, file uploads, and longer conversation memory for a more personalized experience.
Originally launched in India in August at Rs 399 per month, the plan quickly gained traction among users seeking premium features at an affordable rate. Now, with OpenAI waiving the fee entirely for one year, millions of Indian users will gain premium-level access for free.
The move is seen as part of OpenAI’s strategy to strengthen its presence in India while countering competition from rivals like Google and Perplexity.
Google recently made its AI Pro membership free for students, while Perplexity partnered with Airtel to offer free premium access fueling what’s becoming a heated AI adoption race in the country.
Nick Turley, Vice President and Head of ChatGPT, said the company’s decision reflects the creativity and enthusiasm of Indian users. “Since launching ChatGPT Go in India, the adoption and innovation we’ve witnessed have been incredible. Ahead of our first DevDay Exchange, we’re making ChatGPT Go freely available for a year to help more people across India experience the benefits of advanced AI,” he said.
With this bold move, OpenAI seems ready to make India the heart of its next big AI chapter.