OpenAI is set to offer its ChatGPT Go subscription for free to all users in India for one year, starting November 4, 2025. This significant move aims to strengthen the company's presence in India, which it recognizes as its second-largest and fastest-growing global market. The offer coincides with OpenAI's first DevDay Exchange event in Bengaluru.
ChatGPT Go, initially launched in India in August at a monthly price of ₹399, was designed as an intermediate option between the free tier and the more comprehensive ChatGPT Plus subscription. The complimentary access to ChatGPT Go is a direct response to similar user acquisition strategies employed by competitors like Google and Perplexity, who have also waived fees for their premium AI features to attract the vast Indian consumer base. Google, for instance, has made its AI Pro membership, valued at ₹19,500, free for students for a year, while Perplexity has partnered with Airtel to provide free access to its premium plan.
The free ChatGPT Go tier will provide Indian users with several benefits:
- Higher message limits: Allowing for more extensive conversations and interactions with the AI.
- Increased daily image generation and uploads: Enabling users to create and utilize more images within their chats.
- Longer memory for more personalized and context-aware responses: Improving the AI's ability to remember previous interactions and provide more relevant and tailored responses.
According to Nick Turley, Vice President and Head of ChatGPT, the adoption and creativity demonstrated by Indian users since the launch of ChatGPT Go has been inspiring. He stated that making ChatGPT Go freely available for a year will help more people across India easily access and benefit from advanced AI.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has previously highlighted India's importance as OpenAI's second-largest and fastest-growing market. This promotional offer aligns with OpenAI's "India-first" approach and supports the IndiaAI Mission, a national initiative focused on building AI capacity and infrastructure. OpenAI is also collaborating with civil society groups, educational platforms, and government programs to democratize access to AI technologies and promote AI awareness.
Existing ChatGPT Go subscribers in India will also benefit from this offer, receiving an additional 12 months of free access. Details regarding the redemption process will be shared at a later date. The company noted that within the first month of launching ChatGPT Go, the number of paid subscribers in India more than doubled, which prompted OpenAI to expand the plan to approximately 90 markets globally. India stands out as a key market with millions of daily users, including students, professionals, and developers, who are increasingly utilizing AI for various purposes such as creativity, research, and productivity.
