OpenAI to Distribute 5 Lakh Free ChatGPT Licenses to Educators and Students in India

In a first for India's education industry, OpenAI has stated that it will provide 5 lakh licenses for its ChatGPT across India in the next six months. The news was announced by the company on August 25, emphasizing that these licenses will be distributed in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the ARISE school network. This marks one of OpenAI’s biggest initiatives globally to integrate artificial intelligence into mainstream education.

ChatGPT Distribution Through Multiple Channels

The free ChatGPT licenses will be distributed strategically through different education bodies.

• Government schools (Classes 1–12): Through the Ministry of Education, ChatGPT access will be provided to teachers across public schools, helping them integrate AI into daily learning activities and classroom practices.

• Technical institutes across the country: Joining hands with AICTE, OpenAI will provide ChatGPT access to technical universities and colleges, enhancing digital competencies, AI adoption, and research capacities for millions of students.

• ARISE schools (K-12 level): Teachers at ARISE member schools will also receive ChatGPT access to try out AI-driven teaching techniques and improve the overall education experience for students.

This universal spread guarantees that AI-driven learning will be extended to students at both school and higher education levels, building a solid foundation for future digital change.

OpenAI Learning Accelerator

The program is under the newly introduced OpenAI Learning Accelerator, an India-first initiative that is meant to encourage AI as an instrument of deeper learning and not a shortcut. Rather than providing students with rapid responses, the program hopes to educate them in research, critical thinking, and digital skills with the help of ChatGPT as a mentor.

By prioritizing India as the initial country for this initiative, OpenAI is emphatically asserting the significance of AI in one of the world's most rapidly expanding education markets.

Leadership Appointment

In addition to the launch of free licenses, OpenAI has also hired Raghav Gupta as its new Head of Education for India and Asia Pacific. Gupta, former Managing Director of Coursera for India and APAC, comes with extensive experience in online education and edtech partnerships.

In his new assignment, Gupta will work on creating robust partnerships with universities, schools, and government agencies. His guidance should expedite the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT in the classroom so that teachers and students derive maximum advantage from artificial intelligence.

The Biggest Market for ChatGPT in Education

India already has the record as the world's largest student base for ChatGPT, with millions of students utilizing the service for homework, test prep, assignment work, and project work. By providing free licenses at such a massive scale, OpenAI is setting out to make its presence felt and make ChatGPT an integral part of educational life for students nationwide.

New India Office and Subscription Plan

OpenAI is also strengthening its physical presence in the country. The company has confirmed that it will open its first India office in New Delhi later this year. This move reflects OpenAI’s commitment to long-term growth and deeper engagement with the Indian ecosystem.

Moreover, OpenAI has introduced an India-focused subscription plan that costs only ₹399 per month. The plan is bundled with in-built UPI payment support, so students and professionals can use premium features of ChatGPT more conveniently and inexpensively.

Partnership for AI Literacy

In addition to these initiatives, OpenAI has also joined forces with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to launch the OpenAI Academy, an AI literacy program. The aim of this academy is to make students, teachers, and even parents capable and knowledgeable enough to adopt AI responsibly and efficiently.

With the Academy, India's education system will not only embrace AI tools but also gain a better insight into the workings of artificial intelligence and how it can influence future professions.

With 5 lakh ChatGPT licenses distributed, the introduction of the OpenAI Learning Accelerator, and the soon-to-be-opened office in India, OpenAI is betting big on India's future in AI-driven education. The project can change the way students learn, teachers teach, and institutions educate the next generation for a world that is increasingly digital.

By collaborating with government institutions and emphasizing both access and literacy, OpenAI is not only launching a tool—it is setting the stage for a new age when AI is at the center of India's classrooms.