India has emerged as one of OpenAI’s largest and fastest-growing markets, boasting 100 million weekly active ChatGPT users. This milestone, revealed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman ahead of the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, highlights the country’s increasing significance in the global AI landscape.
Rapid Expansion and Strategic Adjustments
OpenAI has strategically tailored its approach to India’s price-sensitive market, including the rollout of a sub-$5 ChatGPT Go tier and a year-long free trial for Indian users. This move, alongside the opening of a New Delhi office in August 2025, reflects the company’s commitment to capturing a substantial share of India’s over one billion internet users.
The growth in India places the nation second only to the United States in terms of ChatGPT usage, with the platform reaching 800 million weekly active users globally as of October 2025.
Student Adoption Driving Growth
Indian students are a key demographic driving this expansion, representing the largest student user base worldwide for ChatGPT. Competitors like Google have also targeted this segment, offering free AI Pro subscriptions to Indian students, demonstrating the broader trend of AI companies focusing on educational markets.
Broader Implications for AI in India
This surge in adoption also presents challenges for AI companies in India: translating usage into meaningful economic impact. India’s infrastructure limitations and price sensitivity make monetization and large-scale deployment complex. However, government initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission aim to bridge these gaps by expanding computing capacity and supporting AI startups.
“With its focus on access, practical AI literacy, and the infrastructure that supports widespread adoption, India is well positioned to broaden who benefits from the technology…” – Sam Altman.
Global Leaders Converge at India AI Summit
The India AI Impact Summit, beginning Monday, will host global tech leaders including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Google’s Sundar Pichai, and industry giants like Mukesh Ambani and Nandan Nilekani. The presence of political leaders like Emmanuel Macron and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underscores India’s ambition to become a central player in global AI debates.
Altman signaled OpenAI’s intention to deepen its engagement with the Indian government, promising new partnerships to expand AI access across the country. The summit underscores how India’s vast user base is translating into growing influence over the evolution of AI technology.
India’s rapid adoption of AI underscores its growing importance as a major global market, presenting both opportunities and challenges for AI companies seeking sustainable growth. This expansion requires strategic adjustments to cater to local needs and infrastructure, while ensuring equitable access to maximize the technology’s potential economic and social impact.
