For years, global tech giants have turned to India’s massive and rapidly growing internet population as a cornerstone of their international expansion strategies. OpenAI, the artificial intelligence powerhouse behind ChatGPT, is no exception. The company has seen explosive growth in India in terms of user adoption, with the country quickly emerging as one of its most active markets.
Yet, despite this surge in popularity, monetizing that momentum remains a challenge.
Skyrocketing Growth, Modest Revenue
According to data from analytics firm SensorTower, Indian users have spent approximately $8 million on ChatGPT subscriptions via in-app purchases since 2023. While that may sound impressive at first glance, it pales in comparison to the $330 million reportedly spent by U.S. users in the same period.
It’s worth noting that this figure doesn’t account for purchases made via the ChatGPT web platform, where subscription behavior might differ. Even so, the contrast highlights a key issue: while India is using ChatGPT in large numbers, it’s not yet contributing significantly to OpenAI’s revenue.
The Pricing Barrier
A major obstacle appears to be the pricing model. OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus plan costs $20 per month—equivalent to over ₹1,700—which is considered steep for a digital subscription in the Indian market, especially when compared to local pricing norms for entertainment or productivity apps.
Despite increasing demand for premium AI services, this price tag may be preventing wider subscription uptake in a country where digital spending habits are still evolving.
India: A Critical Piece in OpenAI’s Global Puzzle
Though OpenAI declined to provide detailed numbers regarding its Indian user base, the company’s COO Brad Lightcap recently shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that India is ChatGPT’s fastest-growing market. This aligns with broader trends: India boasts more than 950 million internet users, and that number is only expected to grow. For OpenAI, tapping into even a fraction of that market could help realize CEO Sam Altman’s ambition of building a multi-billion-user platform.
Recognizing this potential, OpenAI is reportedly exploring strategic partnerships in the country. One such move could involve teaming up with Reliance Jio, one of India’s largest and most influential telecom providers. An alliance like this could help ChatGPT reach deeper into India’s mobile-first ecosystem and potentially offer more localized, accessible pricing models.
Organic Momentum Fuels App Growth
Despite the monetization hurdles, ChatGPT’s user base in India continues to expand rapidly. According to mobile analytics platform Appfigures, over 20% of all ChatGPT Android app downloads in 2025 (so far) have come from India alone. This is a staggering share, especially given ChatGPT’s global user base of more than 500 million weekly users.
Part of this growth has been driven by the app’s evolving feature set. A recent viral hit was ChatGPT’s revamped image generation tool, which gained traction online for its uncanny ability to create Studio Ghibli-style visuals. The feature, widely shared on social media, resonated strongly with Indian users, contributing to a wave of downloads.
The Road Ahead: Local Strategy May Hold the Key
India’s role in OpenAI’s global journey is clear: it’s not just a big market—it’s a critical growth frontier. But to truly capitalize on that potential, OpenAI may need to rethink its approach to pricing and accessibility. Localization, affordability, and strategic partnerships could play a pivotal role in unlocking the next chapter of growth.
The company seems to be aware of this. Whether through alliances with Indian telecoms, introducing local payment options, or developing more affordable pricing tiers, there are signs that OpenAI is laying the groundwork for deeper integration into the Indian digital ecosystem.
Until then, ChatGPT’s popularity in India is likely to continue rising—driven by curiosity, innovation, and the sheer scale of the country’s digital transformation. The real question is: how long until that growth starts translating into serious revenue?
