OpenAI has introduced a more affordable version of its AI chatbot subscription called ChatGPT GO, starting at ₹399 per month, exclusively for Indian users.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- OpenAI launches ChatGPT GO in India for ₹399 per month, roughly $4.60
- The plan offers 10 times more usage than the free tier, including image generation and file uploads
- Indian users can now pay via UPI for better local access
- India is OpenAI’s second-largest market, prompting this tailored offering
What Happened?
OpenAI has launched a new subscription plan named ChatGPT GO in India, priced at ₹399 per month. This plan offers a significant discount compared to the existing ₹1,999 Plus Plan and comes with expanded features for Indian users. It also allows UPI payments, a first for OpenAI, enhancing ease of access for local users.
A Strategic Bet on India
With India becoming a major hub for AI adoption, OpenAI’s move is clearly aimed at boosting its footprint in the region. The GO plan, at just $4.60 monthly, makes powerful AI tools more accessible to a broader Indian audience. This comes as a direct response to user feedback requesting lower-cost options and easier local payment support.
OpenAI’s Nick Turley, Vice President and Head of ChatGPT, emphasized that the company is “rolling out Go in India first and will learn from feedback before expanding to other countries.” According to Turley, this plan boosts message limits, image generation, and file uploads by 10 times over the free version and includes better memory retention for more personalized responses.
We just launched ChatGPT Go in India, a new subscription tier that gives users in India more access to our most popular features: 10x higher message limits, 10x more image generations, 10x more file uploads, and 2x longer memory compared with our free tier. All for Rs. 399. 🇮🇳
— Nick Turley (@nickaturley) August 19, 2025
Why India First?
There’s strong reasoning behind OpenAI’s India-first approach:
- India is now OpenAI’s second-biggest market globally, as revealed by CEO Sam Altman.
- The ChatGPT app has seen over 29 million downloads in India over the past 90 days, more than any other country.
- Despite these numbers, revenue in India was just $3.6 million during the same period, suggesting room for growth with better pricing.
- The move aligns with a broader trend among AI companies offering incentives to grow in India. Google recently launched a free AI Pro plan for Indian students, and Perplexity partnered with Airtel to provide free subscriptions to users.
Localized Features to Drive Adoption
Besides the competitive price point, OpenAI’s addition of UPI payment support aligns perfectly with how most Indians handle digital payments. This step not only simplifies the purchase process but also reflects OpenAI’s understanding of local user preferences.
By pricing in Indian rupees and incorporating familiar payment methods, OpenAI is reducing friction in the buying process. This could significantly improve conversion rates from free to paid users.
More Than Just Cost Cutting
What makes this launch particularly impactful is that ChatGPT GO still retains powerful features:
- 10x increase in message, image, and file processing limits
- Memory retention that enables the bot to better understand and remember user preferences
- Full access to advanced image generation, previously locked behind more expensive tiers
This makes the GO plan not just a budget version, but a robust offering for users looking for serious AI capabilities at a fraction of the price.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
Honestly, I think this is a brilliant move by OpenAI. Pricing was the biggest barrier for millions of curious users in India, and this ₹399 plan finally levels the field. The fact that they’re starting in India and using it as a test market also shows just how important Indian users are to the future of AI tools. It’s refreshing to see a global tech company not just talk about inclusion, but actually design for it. As someone who keeps a close eye on the AI space, I can say this could dramatically increase ChatGPT’s paid adoption in the country.
