OpenAI is set to open its first India office in New Delhi later this year and has already begun hiring, marking its official entry into the country. With India emerging as ChatGPT’s second-largest market globally after the US, CEO Sam Altman said the move supports the IndiaAI Mission and will help strengthen partnerships with the government, developers, businesses, and academic institutions.
The Indian government welcomed the decision, highlighting the country’s growing leadership in AI adoption. OpenAI also introduced India-focused initiatives like ChatGPT Go (₹399/month with UPI), OpenAI Academy, and enhanced Indic language support in GPT-5, as it prepares to host its first Education Summit and Developer Day in India.
OpenAI has officially announced plans to open its first India office in New Delhi later this year, marking its formal entry into one of its fastest-growing markets. The company has already begun hiring for local positions and established a registered entity in the country. Currently, Pragya Mishra is the only OpenAI employee in India, but the new office will enable the company to build a strong on-ground presence.
This expansion highlights India’s growing importance for OpenAI as ChatGPT’s second-largest market globally, after the United States.
According to CEO Sam Altman, the new office aligns with the IndiaAI Mission, a national initiative designed to foster innovation, adoption, and governance of artificial intelligence in India. The New Delhi office will allow OpenAI to work closely with the government, businesses, developers, and academic institutions.
Altman said, “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 setting up the office represents a commitment to building AI for India, with India—ensuring that advanced AI becomes more accessible and tailored to Indian users.
The Indian government has welcomed OpenAI’s decision. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, stated that this development reflects India’s growing leadership in digital innovation and AI adoption.
Vaishnaw said, “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.”
He further highlighted that India is building an ecosystem for trusted and inclusive AI under the IndiaAI Mission, and OpenAI’s partnership will help ensure that AI benefits reach citizens across all sections of society.
New data shared by OpenAI underlines India’s growing momentum in AI adoption:
Second-largest market for ChatGPT globally.
Weekly active users have quadrupled in the past year.
Ranks among the top five developer markets on OpenAI’s platform.
Hosts the largest student population using ChatGPT worldwide.
These numbers highlight the increasing relevance of India not just as a consumer of AI but also as a hub for innovation and development.
The announcement comes after several India-specific rollouts by OpenAI. Recently, the company launched:
ChatGPT Go: A low-cost subscription plan priced at ₹399 per month, available via UPI payments.
OpenAI Academy: An AI literacy program launched in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
GPT-5 model upgrades: Enhanced support for Indic languages, improving accessibility for Indian users.
Study Mode: A personalized feature designed to guide learners step by step, already gaining traction among Indian students.
Looking ahead, OpenAI plans to host its first Education Summit in India later this month, bringing together educators, policymakers, and students. The company will also organize Developer Day by the end of the year to engage with India’s growing developer community.
OpenAI reiterated its commitment to making advanced AI affordable, accessible, and impactful for the Indian population. With its first office in New Delhi, the company aims to strengthen its partnerships while supporting India’s ambitions to become a global AI powerhouse.
Conclusion
OpenAI’s decision to open its first India office in New Delhi marks a landmark moment in the country’s AI journey. With India now emerging as one of the largest and fastest-growing AI markets in the world, this move strengthens collaboration between OpenAI and the Indian government, businesses, and communities. The focus will be on developing solutions tailored to local needs while ensuring AI benefits are inclusive and widespread.