Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, is planning a visit to India next month, coinciding with OpenAI's strategic expansion into the Indian market. This visit underscores OpenAI's commitment to India, marked by the upcoming launch of their first Indian office in New Delhi later in 2025.

Altman himself confirmed his upcoming trip on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the impressive growth of AI adoption in India. He noted that ChatGPT users in India have quadrupled in the past year, expressing his enthusiasm for increased investment in the country.

OpenAI's decision to establish a physical presence in India signals a deeper engagement with the local ecosystem. The New Delhi office will enable the company to work more closely with Indian users, develop solutions tailored to the Indian market, and foster collaborations with businesses, academic institutions, and the government. OpenAI has already registered a local entity and has begun to assemble a dedicated team to manage these partnerships.

To spearhead their efforts in India, OpenAI has appointed key leaders, including Sheeladitya Mohanty as marketing lead and Akash Iyer as social lead. Iyer previously held roles at Netflix India for nearly seven years. Pragya Misra currently serves as Head of Public Policy & Partnerships and also acts as an advisor at Yashoda AI, contributing to initiatives that support women and marginalized communities.

India has emerged as a crucial market for OpenAI. It is ChatGPT's second-largest market globally, trailing only the United States, and boasts one of the fastest-growing user bases. The country also has the largest community of students utilizing ChatGPT and ranks among the top five markets for OpenAI in terms of developer activity.

Recognizing the unique characteristics of the Indian market, OpenAI has launched a new, more affordable subscription plan called "ChatGPT Go," priced at 399 rupees (approximately $4.56 USD) per month. This plan, currently exclusive to India, offers extended access to GPT-5, image generation, file analysis, data tools, and a longer memory for more personalized conversations. Nick Turley, Vice President at OpenAI, has indicated that this plan will serve as an experiment, with feedback from Indian users guiding potential expansion to other countries.

OpenAI views India as a potential global AI leader, citing its substantial tech talent pool, thriving developer ecosystem, and strong governmental support through initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission. Experts suggest that OpenAI's moves reflect a strategic pivot toward emerging markets, with India poised to become a central hub for large-scale AI adoption across various sectors, including education, business, and public administration. Additional details about the new office and planned initiatives are expected to be shared in the coming months.