OpenAI to Open First India Office in New Delhi, Begins AI Hiring Drive

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is officially setting up its first India office in New Delhi later this year. With India now emerging as its second-largest market globally, the AI powerhouse is accelerating efforts to expand its presence, strengthen partnerships, and tap into India’s growing pool of artificial intelligence talent.

The company has already registered a legal entity in India and started building a local AI team to work closely with developers, businesses, government bodies, and educational institutions. OpenAI’s move highlights the country’s rapid adoption of AI technologies and its potential to become a global hub for artificial intelligence innovation.

“India has all the ingredients to lead the world in AI—top-tier tech talent, a vibrant developer ecosystem, and strong government support through the IndiaAI Mission,” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. “Opening our first office here is a key step in our commitment to build AI for India, and with India.”

Why India is Crucial for OpenAI

Massive user growth: ChatGPT’s weekly active users in India have quadrupled in the last year.
Strong student base: India now has the largest student user base for ChatGPT worldwide.
Developer hub: India ranks among the top five developer markets globally.

To further boost adoption, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Go, an India-specific subscription priced at just ₹399/month with UPI payment support, making it the most affordable ChatGPT plan globally.

Tailored AI Programs for India

• OpenAI has rolled out several India-focused initiatives, including:
• OpenAI Academy, an AI literacy program in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
• Indic language support in GPT-5, enabling more regional language capabilities.
• Study Mode, designed for interactive student learning.
• The upcoming OpenAI Education Summit this month and Developer Day later this year.

The Indian government has welcomed OpenAI’s entry. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “This reflects India’s leadership in digital innovation and AI adoption. With OpenAI’s support, we aim to ensure the benefits of AI reach every citizen.”

Despite the positive momentum, OpenAI faces challenges in India. Copyright disputes with publishers and growing competition from Google Gemini and Perplexity AI could impact its market expansion. However, India’s young, digital-first population and supportive policy environment make it a crucial test market for OpenAI’s global ambitions.