Nearly half of ChatGPT’s users in India are under the age of 24, and most of them are turning to the tool for academic purposes, OpenAI has revealed. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Leah Belsky, Vice President and General Manager for Education at OpenAI, noted that Indian students represent the largest student community on the platform globally. They are also the most enthusiastic adopters of the recently launched study mode.

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500,000 Licences for Schools and Institutes

In a significant step toward strengthening its role in India’s education sector, OpenAI announced the rollout of 500,000 paid ChatGPT licences. These licences will be distributed in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and will come with training support for both teachers and students.

The licences, valid for an initial six-month period, will equip teachers in government schools from Classes 1 to 12 with access to ChatGPT for lesson planning, classroom engagement, and student support. Technical institutions across the country will also be covered to build stronger digital skills, enhance employability, and promote real-world applications of AI.

Launch of the OpenAI Learning Accelerator

The initiative forms part of the OpenAI Learning Accelerator. The programme will also include secondary-level teachers in schools associated with the Association for Reinventing School Education (ARISE), thereby expanding its reach beyond government classrooms.

Research Collaboration with IIT Madras

Alongside the school initiative, OpenAI announced a new research partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, backed by $500,000 in funding. Under this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), IIT Madras will conduct long-term research on how artificial intelligence can improve learning outcomes. The studies will integrate insights from cognitive neuroscience to explore fresh approaches to teaching.

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India Becomes Strategic to OpenAI’s Growth

These announcements come shortly after OpenAI confirmed its plans to establish an office in New Delhi, highlighting India’s growing importance in the company’s global roadmap. With a massive base of young, tech-savvy students, India is fast emerging as a key to ChatGPT's adoption in education.