New Delhi | November 4, 2025 — The global AI race just got a lot more interesting in India. OpenAI has officially announced that all new and existing users will receive its ChatGPT Go plan for free for one full year starting today. It gives access to the powerful GPT-5 model, along with tools like image generation, file uploads, and longer memory — all without paying a single rupee until November 2026. Users have to claim it to activate it.
This move comes even though OpenAI’s ChatGPT consumer business has not yet become profitable in 2025. But it’s easy to see why the company is ready to play the long game because India is the fastest-growing AI market in the world.
What Is ChatGPT Go?
ChatGPT Go is OpenAI’s mid-tier subscription that sits between the free plan and the premium ChatGPT Plus. It is usually designed for indian regions, to provide an affordable cost per user to use premium features without being capped. The pricing after 12 months is around ₹399 per month.
The plan gives Indian users access to GPT-5, OpenAI’s latest and most capable model, offering quicker replies and better context understanding.
How to Claim the Free ChatGPT Go Plan
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Log in to your ChatGPT account and make sure your region is set to India. | Eligibility depends on location. |
| 2 | Go to “Settings → Upgrade Plan” on the app or website. | You’ll see the free 12-month option. |
| 3 | Select “ChatGPT Go – Free for 12 Months” and confirm. | Existing Go users are auto-extended. |
| 4 | Add a payment method (₹0 for now). | Needed for verification only. |
| 5 | Enjoy GPT-5 access, image generation, and longer memory until Nov 2026. | Cancel anytime before |
India: One of the Biggest AI Markets and a big consumer base
India has the highest rate of Gen Z in the world, with most mobile users in the 18 to 25 age range. India has quietly become OpenAI’s second-largest market, behind the U.S. As per the Exploding Topics portal, 8.71% the ChatGPT users are from India, the second biggest. Share of global ChatGPT traffic makes it too big to ignore. Here’s why India is where the real fight is unfolding:
| Key Metric | Number | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT users in India | ~95 million monthly (2025) | Second only to the U.S. |
| Internet users in India | 750 million + | Massive digital reach. |
| AI software market in India | $0.28 B (2024) → Goes Projected to $3.55 B (2030) | Huge room to grow. |
| Avg. subscription spend | ₹250–₹400/month | Low cost = price-sensitive market. |
| Free AI usage rate | Over 82% of users prefer free tiers | Explains why “free” is strategic. |
Competition Heats Up: Gemini × Jio, Perplexity × Airtel
OpenAI isn’t alone in handing out freebies. India’s telecom giants have jumped into AI partnerships of their own:
| Player | Partnership | Offer | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Gemini | Reliance Jio | Free Gemini Advanced for Jio Fiber and Jio AirFiber users | 18 months |
| Perplexity AI | Airtel India | Free “Perplexity Pro” for all mobile, broadband, and DTH users | 12 months |
| OpenAI ChatGPT Go | Direct to consumer | Free GPT-5-powered plan with image tools and memory | 12 months |
In just the last 2 months, this wave of AI-telco tie-ups shows how fiercely companies are fighting for Indian mindshare. While Gemini and Perplexity are bundling through telecom deals, OpenAI’s approach is simpler and direct — it goes straight to the people.
India’s market runs on the principle of “try first, pay later.” From Reliance Jio’s free 4G and 5G rollouts to streaming apps offering free trials before monetising, most of the subscription-based businesses failed in india. The strategy has a proven track record. OpenAI’s move follows that same playbook — hook users, build loyalty, and then convert a fraction into paying customers once the value is proven and a daily habit is begun.
As digital researcher Nanne Parmar notes,
“India doesn’t pay for potential — it pays for proof. The companies that offer free access today will own the market tomorrow.”
Is ChatGPT making a Profit in 2025?
Not really, OpenAI earns revenue from ChatGPT Plus, GO, which goes through a subscription model, and most of the income comes from enterprise API Usage. The B2B model may be profitable, but the subscription is still not profitable yet; operational costs remain high due to expensive model training and computing power. Offering a free year adds to costs — but OpenAI sees it as an investment in long-term growth, not a loss.
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue (1st half 2025) | US$4.3 billion | About 16% more than full-year 2024. |
| Annualised revenue (mid-2025 estimate) | ~US$12-13 billion | Estimated by July 2025. |
| Net loss (1st half 2025) | ~US$13.5 billion | Despite growing revenue. |
| Cash burn (2025 projected) | ~US$8 billion | High infrastructure & R&D costs. |
With this launch, OpenAI is not just giving away a subscription for free — it’s buying trust and making a space for revenue in the world’s most dynamic digital market. And for Indian users, the AI revolution just got a lot more affordable. They got ChatGPT, GEMINI, Perplexity, 5G Internet, and everything for free for years.
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