OpenAI has announced a one-year free access offer for Indian users to its ChatGPT Go subscription, beginning November 4. The move comes just ahead of the company’s first-ever developer conference in India, the Bengaluru DevDay Exchange, signaling a renewed focus on expanding its user base and developer ecosystem in one of the fastest-growing AI markets globally.
The initiative allows all users across India to experience the premium features of ChatGPT Go, which include faster response times, early access to new capabilities, and priority use of OpenAI’s latest model updates. The offer is being positioned as a way to make advanced AI tools more accessible, particularly as India continues to emerge as a major hub for artificial intelligence development and adoption.
A company spokesperson stated that India has been one of the top five markets for ChatGPT usage since its launch. By extending this free access plan, OpenAI aims to engage a broader segment of users — from professionals and creators to students and startups — while encouraging experimentation with its conversational AI capabilities.
ChatGPT Go, a lighter version of ChatGPT Plus, runs on OpenAI’s GPT-4-turbo model and offers near-instantaneous responses. It is designed to be more efficient for everyday use cases such as drafting, summarizing, coding assistance, and creative ideation. The free annual access also provides users with enhanced customization features and integration support for GPTs (customized AI assistants) within the ChatGPT app.
This development comes at a time when AI companies are competing to build strong footholds in India’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. The country’s tech-savvy population and growing startup culture have positioned it as a priority market for global AI firms. OpenAI’s move follows similar efforts by Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic, all of which have been strengthening their presence in India through research collaborations, data partnerships, and accessibility initiatives.
Industry observers view this as a strategic move by OpenAI to boost its brand visibility and strengthen local engagement before the Bengaluru DevDay. The event, expected to attract developers, researchers, and tech leaders, will feature demonstrations of new tools and APIs, with a focus on how Indian developers can leverage AI to build applications for diverse sectors including education, healthcare, and business automation.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, had earlier emphasized India’s importance to the global AI ecosystem. During his visit to New Delhi last year, he remarked that Indian developers would play a “key role” in shaping how AI is implemented and localized worldwide. The latest initiative aligns with that vision, offering a practical entry point for users to explore the technology before deeper integrations are introduced.
Experts note that offering free access to ChatGPT Go could also serve as a large-scale data and adoption test for OpenAI. By observing usage patterns and feedback from Indian users, the company can refine its tools for a more diverse audience. Given the linguistic and cultural diversity of India, this could also help improve AI performance across regional languages and contexts.
The rollout of free access coincides with OpenAI’s continued efforts to make AI tools more affordable and widely available. The company recently expanded its enterprise offerings and introduced “Company Knowledge,” a new feature for businesses that allows AI to access and use proprietary organizational data securely. These advancements point to a broader strategy of integrating AI into everyday workflows while maintaining user trust and privacy.
The Bengaluru DevDay is expected to showcase OpenAI’s latest updates in multimodal capabilities, custom GPT building, and enterprise integration. Industry insiders anticipate new announcements that may further enhance the accessibility and localization of OpenAI products for Indian users.
While the free ChatGPT Go offer has been widely welcomed by users, experts caution that the company’s long-term challenge will be sustaining engagement once the promotional period ends. Competing platforms, including Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude, are also offering advanced features and localized tools that cater to similar audiences.
Still, OpenAI’s timing appears deliberate. The company’s leadership is aware that India’s AI adoption curve is accelerating — with government initiatives, corporate investments, and startup innovation driving growth across the sector. By removing the cost barrier, OpenAI is effectively betting on widespread experimentation that could convert casual users into long-term subscribers.
The offer will go live for all Indian users starting November 4, accessible through both the ChatGPT web interface and mobile app. Existing users will automatically be upgraded to ChatGPT Go features for a one-year period, while new users can sign up through the company’s official platform.
The Bengaluru event is likely to serve as a key moment for OpenAI’s engagement strategy in India, combining product exposure with developer community building. As the global race for AI adoption intensifies, India’s inclusion at the center of OpenAI’s roadmap reinforces the nation’s growing role as both a user base and an innovation driver in the world’s AI landscape.