In a game-changing move that’s sending ripples across India’s tech landscape, OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT Go is free for 12 months to all users in the country. For more insights on AI and chatbot developments, visit ChatCharcha.in.
Starting November 4, 2025, anyone in India who signs up during this limited-time promotional period will receive 12 months of free access to the otherwise paid plan. This unprecedented offer comes as OpenAI hosts its first-ever DevDay Exchange event in Bengaluru, marking a significant milestone in the company’s India journey.
Why India? Why Now?
India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets for ChatGPT, with the country being OpenAI’s second-largest market after the United States. The company noted that paid subscriptions in the country doubled within just a month of ChatGPT Go’s launch in August.
The timing couldn’t be more strategic. With over 700 million smartphone users and more than a billion internet subscribers, India represents a massive opportunity for AI services. OpenAI is clearly betting big on the subcontinent—the company even opened a New Delhi office in August and is actively building a local team.
“Since initially launching ChatGPT Go in India a few months ago, the adoption and creativity we’ve seen from our users has been inspiring,” said Nick Turley, Vice President and Head of ChatGPT at OpenAI.
What’s ChatGPT Go and What Do You Get?
Originally priced at less than $5 per month (approximately ₹399), ChatGPT Go was designed as OpenAI’s most affordable paid subscription plan. It sits perfectly between the free tier and the premium ChatGPT Plus subscription.
Here’s what makes ChatGPT Go worth grabbing:
Access to GPT-5 Model: The Go plan is powered by GPT-5, delivering enhanced reasoning and more creative responses
Significantly Higher Limits: Users get up to 10× higher message limits, more image generation, and expanded file uploads compared to the free tier
Extended Memory: The plan offers 2× longer memory, meaning ChatGPT can better retain context across sessions and understand long conversations
File Upload Capability: Chat with documents, spreadsheets, and images—upload files and interact with them directly
Image Generation and Editing: Create and modify visuals directly within your chat conversations
Faster Performance: Experience reduced lag for quicker, more natural conversation flow with faster response times
Custom GPTs and Projects: Access personalized and professional use cases tailored to your needs
How to Claim Your Free ChatGPT Go Subscription
The process is surprisingly straightforward. The promotion is available now for redemption from ChatGPT web or the Google Play store, and will be available next week from the Apple App Store.
For New Users and Free Tier Users:
Step 1: Visit chat.openai.com or open the ChatGPT mobile app
Step 2: Log in or create a new account using your Indian mobile number or email ID
Step 3: Click on “Try ChatGPT Go” or go to Settings → Account → Try ChatGPT Go
Step 4: Select the ChatGPT Go plan when prompted (it should show as free)
Step 5: During checkout, add a payment method—you will not be charged immediately. This is just for verification and future billing after the free period ends
Step 6: Once activated, start enjoying ChatGPT Go’s premium features free of charge for 12 months
For Existing ChatGPT Go Subscribers:
Great news—if you’re already a ChatGPT Go subscriber on web or Android via Google Play Store, OpenAI may automatically redeem the promotion for you. Your next billing date will be moved back by 12 months within the upcoming week. No action required on your part!
Important Things to Know
Eligibility: You must be located in India and must be new to ChatGPT, a current free user, or an existing ChatGPT Go subscriber with your account in good standing
Payment Method Required: While the first 12 months are free, you must provide a payment method (Credit Card or UPI) to enroll in the promotion
Auto-Renewal: At the end of the 12-month period, your payment method will automatically be charged the current monthly ChatGPT Go fee unless you cancel in advance
One-Time Redemption: You can redeem the promotion one time per account during the promotion redemption period. If you cancel your subscription after redemption, it will no longer be available for you to redeem
Limited Time: This is a promotional offer with a limited redemption period, so claim it while you can!
The Bigger Picture: AI Wars Heat Up in India
OpenAI isn’t the only player making aggressive moves in India. Perplexity recently partnered with Airtel to offer free Perplexity Pro subscriptions to the telecom operator’s 360 million subscribers. Similarly, Google introduced a free one-year AI Pro plan for students in India.
This competitive landscape underscores India’s strategic importance in the global AI race. The country’s tech-savvy population, relatively low data costs, and massive scale make it an ideal testing ground for AI products.
However, monetization remains challenging. While ChatGPT saw over 29 million downloads in the 90 days leading up to August, it generated just $3.6 million in in-app purchases during that period. This free promotion could be OpenAI’s way of building user loyalty and demonstrating value before converting free users to paying customers down the line.
What Happens After One Year?
Once the 12-month free period ends, users can either continue with the free ChatGPT plan or upgrade to ChatGPT Go or Plus for uninterrupted premium access. The key is that you’re not locked in—you can cancel anytime before the free period ends if you don’t want to continue with a paid subscription.
Bottom Line
This is arguably one of the most generous AI subscription offers we’ve seen in India. Whether you’re a student working on assignments, a professional looking to boost productivity, a developer experimenting with AI, or simply curious about what premium AI can do—there’s literally no reason not to grab this offer.
With a full year to explore ChatGPT Go’s capabilities at no cost, Indian users have an unprecedented opportunity to experience cutting-edge AI technology. Just remember to set a reminder before the year ends if you don’t want to be automatically charged!
Ready to claim your free subscription? Head over to chat.openai.com or download the ChatGPT app and get started today!
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