OpenAI is doubling down on one of the fastest-growing tech markets in the world: India. It's where the company has just launched ChatGPT Go, a new subscription tier that gives users access to GPT-5 for just ₹399 a month (about $5).
It’s cheaper, faster and built to reach millions of people who might never have paid for the standard Plus plan.
So why India, and why now? Here are five reasons this launch matters.
1. India is already obsessed with ChatGPT
India has quickly become ChatGPT’s second-biggest market after the U.S.; students are using it to prep for exams, professionals are leaning on it at work, and creators are experimenting with it in everything from scripts to small businesses.
In other words, the audience is already there and hungry.
2. A mobile-first nation
More than 700 million people in India access the internet mainly through their phones. That makes the country a perfect testing ground for AI tools designed for mobile.
If ChatGPT can thrive in a location where it's mostly used on the mobile app, it proves the app can scale to billions of mobile-first users worldwide.
3. Price matters
The $20 ChatGPT Plus plan is pricey in India, where average income levels are lower than in the U.S. or Europe.
At just ₹399 (roughly $5 USD), ChatGPT Go feels like a much more affordable option for students, teachers and small businesses. The move is about making sure a much wider slice of the population can actually use it.
4. Building more than subscriptions
OpenAI has been investing in India’s AI ecosystem, from funding research at IIT-Madras to providing free licenses for students.
By funding research and offering free licenses, OpenAI is making a tangible push to embed itself within India’s educational and innovation ecosystem.
5. Staying ahead of the competition
India isn’t waiting around for Silicon Valley to deliver. Startups like BharatGPT and Sarvam AI are building large language models tuned to Indian languages and contexts. By rolling out GPT-5 early and affordably, OpenAI is ensuring that ChatGPT remains at the center of the conversation, even as local rivals gain traction.
The takeaway
On the surface, this might appear to be just another pricing tier. However, OpenAI’s approach to India highlights the country's growing centrality in the global AI race.
With a young, mobile-savvy population and rising local competitors, India is poised to become one of the most significant markets to target for the future of AI.
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