India has 100 mn weekly ChatGPT users, says Sam Altman

Updated on 16-Feb-2026
HIGHLIGHTS

Sam Altman said India has 100 million weekly ChatGPT users, making it the second-largest market after the US.

Students and professionals across India are driving strong AI growth, with heavy daily use for learning and work.

OpenAI is expanding in India, highlighting the country’s rising importance at the India AI Impact Summit.

India has become one of the biggest growth stories for artificial intelligence, with 100 million people now using ChatGPT every week. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared the numbers ahead of the government’s India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. This makes India the second-largest market for ChatGPT after the United States and highlights how quickly AI tools are becoming part of daily life in the country. From students using it for homework to professionals seeking quick answers at work, ChatGPT is witnessing strong and steady demand across age groups and cities in the country.

Altman also noted that India’s growth has been steady for months and described the country as one of the most important markets globally. Out of roughly 800 million weekly users worldwide, India accounts for a significant share, underlining its rising influence in the AI ecosystem. According to Sam Altman, India now has the highest number of student users of ChatGPT in the world. Students use it to prepare for exams, practise coding, improve their writing, and learn new languages.

Also read: Nothing Phone 4a Pro and Phone 4a may launch next month: India price, camera, battery and more

OpenAI has also expanded in the country as a result of the adoption of the AI tool in India.  The AI firm opened an office in New Delhi in August 2025 and made its services more affordable for people in India. This shows the company wants to reach more people and be useful across the country.

OpenAI has tailored its offerings for India’s price‑sensitive market to fit India’s budget-friendly market. As the company introduced the ChatGPT Go plan, which costs less than five dollars, and later made it free for a year to encourage more people to use it. Altman further said that this approach is working well, as lots of students and professionals are now using ChatGPT in the country. He also added that the India market is an important part of OpenAI’s growth plans worldwide.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26 Plus, Galaxy S26 launch date, price, specs, pre-reservation benefits and other details

Even though the adoption of the AI tool is rapid in the country, experts say that to fully benefit from this growth, India needs better internet access, affordable technology, and strong government support. Even so, India’s large population, skilled people, and enthusiasm are helping shape how artificial intelligence is used around the world.

Altman also wrote that OpenAI plans to deepen cooperation with the Indian government. He said new partnerships will be announced soon to expand access to AI tools, though he did not share further details. The India AI Impact Summit brings together leaders from global technology and politics, underscoring India’s growing influence in shaping the future of AI.

Also read: India AI Impact Summit 2026: PM Modi welcomes world leaders, says AI is transforming healthcare, education and beyond

OpenAI is not the only company focusing on India. Other tech companies are also doing everything to attract the Indian users, whether it be providing discounted AI tools to students or offering them for free in collaboration with telecom companies. Tech leaders like Sundar Pichai and Dario Amodei will be attending the AI Impact summit in India; this further solidifies how important the Indian market is for the tech giants.

Bhaskar Sharma

Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers.

Connect On :