In a major push to strengthen its presence in one of the fastest-growing AI markets, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has confirmed it will set up its first India office in the capital, New Delhi. This marks a milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy, as India already stands as OpenAI’s second-largest market by users—and could soon become its largest.
The office is expected to open later this year, with OpenAI actively hiring a local team to support its operations in the country. “Opening our first office and building a local team is an important first step in our commitment to make advanced AI more accessible across the country and to build AI for India, and with India,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Why New Delhi, Not Bengaluru or Mumbai?
While Bengaluru is often seen as India’s “Silicon Valley” and Mumbai as its financial hub, OpenAI’s decision to begin in the capital underscores the importance of policy engagement, regulatory discussions, and access to government stakeholders—critical for the future of artificial intelligence in India.
AI in India: Rising Demand & Local Challenges
India has witnessed a fourfold rise in weekly active ChatGPT users in just one year, reflecting the massive adoption of AI tools among students, professionals, and businesses. Recently, OpenAI rolled out ChatGPT Go, its most affordable subscription plan at $4.60 per month in India, tailored for the country’s nearly one billion internet users.
However, the company also faces challenges: several news outlets and publishers in India have accused OpenAI of using their content without permission to train ChatGPT. OpenAI has denied the allegations but continues to face legal scrutiny.
The Bigger Picture
Altman has repeatedly emphasized India’s significance, calling it a potential global leader in AI adoption. With competitors like Google’s Gemini and Perplexity AI aggressively expanding in India, OpenAI’s move signals a commitment to not just capture, but shape, the Indian AI market.
As Altman noted during GPT-5’s global launch: “India is our second-largest market after the US, and it may well become our largest market. What citizens of India are doing with AI is really quite remarkable.”
With its New Delhi office, OpenAI is not just entering India—it’s betting big on its future here.
