OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is set to establish its first office in India, choosing New Delhi as its entry point later this year. This strategic move follows the company’s recent formal registration in India and the beginning of local hiring efforts.
The decision comes as India emerges as OpenAI’s second-largest user base, and one of the fastest-growing markets worldwide. Weekly ChatGPT active users in the country have quadrupled in the past year, while India now hosts the platform’s largest student user population and ranks among the top five global developer markets.
CEO Sam Altman emphasized that opening the New Delhi office is a pivotal step in OpenAI’s ambition to “make advanced AI more accessible across the country” and to contribute to India’s burgeoning AI ecosystem. The new presence aims to support localized innovation through partnerships with developers, businesses, academic institutions, and government initiatives such as the IndiaAI Mission .
OpenAI has also tailored its offerings for the Indian market, including launching an affordable ChatGPT plan priced at $4.60 per month (or ₹399), integrated with UPI payments. Additionally, initiatives like OpenAI Academy, enhanced Indic language support, and upcoming Education Summit and Developer Day hint at OpenAI’s long-term goals of fostering growth in AI literacy and application among Indian users.
Despite the enthusiasm, OpenAI faces legal hurdles in India. Some publishers have raised accusations of unauthorized use of their content for AI training purposes, charges which OpenAI has denied. Moreover, competitors such as Google’s Gemini and AI startup Perplexity are aggressively targeting the Indian market, offering services that may rival or undercut OpenAI’s offerings.
Overall, OpenAI’s establishment of a local office signals its serious commitment to the Indian market, not just as a user base, but as a partner in shaping the future of AI in the region.
