New Delhi, August 22, 2025 — In a landmark move that signals India’s rising prominence in the global AI landscape, OpenAI has officially announced the opening of its first office in New Delhi. The Microsoft-backed AI powerhouse behind ChatGPT is planting roots in the world’s second-largest internet market, aiming to build “AI for India, with India.”
Why This Matters
India has rapidly emerged as a global hub for digital innovation, and OpenAI’s expansion is a strategic leap to tap into:
- 1.4 billion citizens, including the largest student population using ChatGPT worldwide
- A booming developer ecosystem, ranking among the top five globally on OpenAI’s platform
- Strong government backing through the IndiaAI Mission, a $1.2 billion initiative to foster inclusive and trusted AI
“AI for India, With India” — A Vision Unfolds
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the company’s commitment:
“India has all the ingredients to become a global AI leader—amazing tech talent, a world-class developer ecosystem, and strong government support. Opening our first office and building a local team is an important first step in our commitment to make advanced AI more accessible across the country.”
The New Delhi office will serve as a hub for:
- Strengthening ties with local partners, government agencies, and academic institutions
- Building India-specific features, including enhanced support for Indic languages
- Hosting flagship events like the OpenAI Education Summit and Developer Day later this year
Tailored for India: ChatGPT Go & More
To make AI more accessible, OpenAI recently launched ChatGPT Go, a budget-friendly plan priced at ₹399/month. This move directly addresses India’s price-sensitive market and aims to convert millions of free users into subscribers.
Other India-focused initiatives include:
- OpenAI Academy for AI literacy
- Study Mode for personalized learning
- UPI integration for seamless payments
Challenges Ahead
Despite the excitement, OpenAI faces hurdles:
- Legal scrutiny over alleged unauthorized use of Indian media content
- Fierce competition from Google’s Gemini and Perplexity, both offering low-cost AI solutions
- The complexity of monetizing AI in a diverse and regulation-heavy market
India’s AI Moment
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed the move, stating:
“OpenAI’s decision reflects India’s growing leadership in digital innovation. With strong investments in public infrastructure and AI talent, India is uniquely positioned to drive the next wave of AI-led transformation.”