OpenAI is exploring partnerships to establish a large-scale 1 gigawatt data centre in India, according to Bloomberg News. This infrastructure would support OpenAI’s Stargate AI initiative, a private-sector mega project backed by SoftBank, Oracle, and Microsoft with planned investments of up to $500 billion.
While the exact location and timeline of the Indian data centre are not confirmed, the move highlights the country’s importance as OpenAI’s second-largest user market. CEO Sam Altman is expected to reveal more details during his scheduled visit to India in September 2025.
Local Office and Hiring in New Delhi
Backed by Microsoft, OpenAI has registered as a legal entity in India and is building a local team. The company’s first India office will open in New Delhi later this year, strengthening its regional presence and enabling closer collaboration with government and educational partners.
500,000 Free ChatGPT Licences for Indian Students & Teachers
In a landmark initiative, OpenAI announced it will provide 500,000 free ChatGPT licences for six months to students and educators across India.
The OpenAI Learning Accelerator, an India-first programme, will cover:
- Government schools from Classes 1 to 12
- Engineering and technical institutes
- K-12 educators and teaching professionals
Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s Vice President of Education, said the goal is to make AI a personal tutor and teaching assistant, helping educators save time and improve learning outcomes.
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Partnership with Indian Education Bodies
The rollout will be carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and schools affiliated with the Association for Reinventing School Education (ARISE).
By enabling teachers and students to experiment with AI in classrooms, OpenAI aims to create a community of 500,000 early adopters whose feedback will help refine future AI-powered learning tools.
Why This Matters
India is rapidly emerging as a global hub for AI adoption, with a massive student population and rising digital infrastructure. OpenAI’s decision to invest in a data centre, local office, and education initiatives demonstrates the country’s central role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.