OpenAI confirms plans to open first office in Delhi; Sam Altman says ‘India…’

In a significant move, OpenAI has announced its plans to establish its first office in India, marking a pivotal step in enhancing its services for users across the nation. Set to be located in Delhi, this new office will be complemented by the recruitment of a dedicated local team. This team will focus on fostering relationships with local partners, government entities, businesses, developers, and academic institutions. OpenAI highlighted that India stands as the second-largest market for ChatGPT globally, with the number of weekly active users in the country having surged fourfold over the past year. Additionally, OpenAI ranks India among the top five developer markets worldwide and notes that it has the highest population of students utilizing ChatGPT globally. The recent introduction of the Study Mode feature with GPT-5 has also gained substantial popularity in India, although specific usage figures were not disclosed. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities in India, stating, “The level of excitement and opportunity for AI in India is incredible. India has all the ingredients to become a global AI leader—amazing tech talent, a world-class developer ecosystem, and strong government support through the IndiaAI Mission.” He emphasized that opening the new office and building a local team is a crucial step towards making advanced AI more accessible and tailored for India. Just prior to this announcement, OpenAI introduced a new India-specific ChatGPT subscription plan priced at ₹399, offering users an economical option for increased usage without the high costs associated with the ChatGPT Plus or Pro subscriptions. India's IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed OpenAI's decision, underscoring it as a testament to the country's rising leadership in AI and digital innovation. He stated, “OpenAI’s decision to establish a presence in India reflects the country’s growing leadership in digital innovation and AI adoption. With strong investments in digital public infrastructure, AI talent, and enterprise-scale solutions, India is uniquely positioned to drive the next wave of AI-led transformation. As part of the IndiaAI Mission, we are building the ecosystem for trusted and inclusive AI, and we welcome OpenAI’s partnership in advancing this vision to ensure the benefits of AI reach every citizen.”