By Vicky News Desk November 4, 2025
NEW DELHI — In a bold move to supercharge AI adoption in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies, OpenAI announced today that it is making its mid-tier ChatGPT Go subscription completely free for all Indian users for one year, starting immediately. The limited-time promotion, which kicks off on November 4, coincides with the company’s inaugural DevDay Exchange developer conference in Bengaluru and is designed to empower students, professionals, developers, and everyday innovators across the country with unrestricted access to cutting-edge AI tools.
The offer, revealed last week but now live on the ChatGPT website and Android app (with iOS support rolling out next week), allows new sign-ups during the promotional window to enjoy 12 months of premium features at no cost. Existing ChatGPT Go subscribers in India will also receive an additional free year automatically, reflecting OpenAI’s gratitude for the market’s explosive growth. “Ahead of our first DevDay Exchange event in India, we’re making ChatGPT Go freely available for a year to help more people across India easily access and benefit from advanced AI,” said Nick Turley, OpenAI’s Vice President and Head of ChatGPT.
Launched in India just three months ago at an affordable ₹399 monthly fee, ChatGPT Go serves as a bridge between the basic free tier and the pricier ChatGPT Plus plan. Powered by OpenAI’s flagship GPT-5 model, the plan delivers 10 times the usage limits of the free version, including higher daily message caps, expanded image generation capabilities, seamless file and image uploads for analysis, and enhanced memory for more personalized, context-aware conversations. These upgrades enable users to tackle complex tasks—from coding and creative writing to data analysis and visual design—without the frustrations of throttling or wait times.
India’s ascent as OpenAI’s second-largest market globally, trailing only the United States, has been meteoric. With millions of daily active users spanning education, business, and entertainment, the country boasts the fastest subscription growth for ChatGPT worldwide. Since ChatGPT Go’s debut in August, paid users in India doubled within the first month, fueled by local demand for budget-friendly premium access. CEO Sam Altman has repeatedly hailed India’s potential, noting earlier this year that it could soon eclipse the U.S. as the company’s top market.
This free-for-a-year initiative arrives amid fierce competition in India’s AI arena. Rivals are pulling out all stops to capture the nation’s 1.4 billion-strong population: Google recently waived fees for its Gemini AI Pro plan for students, offering a year of free access, while Perplexity AI partnered with telecom giant Bharti Airtel to bundle premium features with mobile plans. OpenAI’s strategy not only counters these plays but also aligns with broader government efforts to regulate AI responsibly—new rules proposed earlier this month mandate clear labeling of AI-generated content to combat deepfakes and misinformation.
For users eager to dive in, activation is straightforward. Log into your ChatGPT account via the website or Android app, click the profile icon, select “Upgrade Plan,” and choose “Try Go.” A pop-up may appear prompting the free upgrade—no credit card or commitment required. The promotion’s duration remains unspecified, so early sign-up is advised to lock in the deal.
As Bengaluru buzzes with AI enthusiasts at DevDay Exchange, where India-specific announcements for developers and enterprises are expected, this giveaway underscores OpenAI’s long-term bet on the subcontinent. By democratizing GPT-5’s power, the company isn’t just handing out free trials—it’s igniting a wave of innovation that could redefine how Indians learn, work, and create. With rivals nipping at its heels, OpenAI’s gambit could solidify ChatGPT’s dominance, turning casual users into lifelong advocates once the year wraps up.
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