OpenAI partners IIT-Madras, MoE, AICTE for India-first education initiative: offers 5 lakh free ChatGPT licences
OpenAI has launched its Learning Accelerator programme in India, giving away 5 lakh free ChatGPT licences to students and teachers in collaboration with IIT-Madras, the Ministry of Education, and AICTE. Backed by a ₹4.5 crore research grant, the initiative focuses on AI access, training, and studies into learning outcomes, with tools optimised for Indian languages and low-cost devices.
New Delhi: OpenAI is making one of its biggest bets on India’s education sector yet. The company announced an India-first Learning Accelerator programme that will give away 500,000 free ChatGPT licences to students and teachers, backed by research funding at IIT-Madras. The rollout is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
This comes at a time when India is OpenAI’s largest student user base globally on ChatGPT. Millions of learners across the country already turn to the tool for homework help, exam prep, and projects. Now, the company says it wants to ensure AI strengthens education rather than just offering shortcuts. The announcement was first reported at the India Education Summit and further detailed in OpenAI’s blog.
What OpenAI's initiative in India includes
The OpenAI Learning Accelerator is structured around three pillars: research, access, and training.
- Research partnership with IIT-Madras: A ₹4.5 crore (about $500,000) grant has been earmarked for long-term studies on how AI affects learning outcomes, teaching methods, and cognitive development. Findings will be made public to guide future policies and product design.
- Licences and tools: Over the next six months, half a million ChatGPT licences will be distributed to students and educators across India. Teachers will get tools for lesson planning and engagement, while students will benefit from features like Study Mode and interactive quizzes.
- Training and literacy: Programmes designed with IIT-Madras, AICTE, and the Ministry of Education will focus on AI literacy, ensuring educators and learners know how to use ChatGPT effectively and responsibly.
Designed for Indian classrooms
OpenAI said the initiative has been tailored for Indian needs. ChatGPT is being optimised for basic smartphones and supports 11 Indian languages. The company emphasised this move would help bridge the digital divide in classrooms that may not have access to expensive devices or high-speed internet.
AICTE chairman Prof. T.G. Sitharam highlighted that integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into technical institutes would boost hands-on training and employability. IIT-Madras director Dr. Kamakoti Veezhinathan said the collaboration would help push the boundaries of pedagogy and innovation.
Sama's push into India
The announcement adds to OpenAI’s growing footprint in India:
- The company plans to open its first India office in New Delhi later this year.
- It has launched an India-specific subscription plan at ₹399 per month with UPI payment support.
- The OpenAI Academy was rolled out in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to promote AI literacy.
- Raghav Gupta, formerly Coursera’s India and APAC head, has been appointed OpenAI’s Head of Education for India and Asia Pacific.
Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s vice president of education, called this one of the company’s most significant education investments in India, saying it aligns with their mission to ensure AI benefits humanity.
Why this matters
India has over 250 million school-going students and one of the fastest-growing higher education ecosystems. By distributing free licences and investing in research, OpenAI is positioning itself as a key player in shaping how AI will be embedded in classrooms. The partnership with IIT-Madras ensures local research expertise feeds into global AI design.
But there are also questions. How will educators adapt to AI in everyday teaching? Will students over-rely on ChatGPT instead of building problem-solving skills? The research outcomes from IIT-Madras will be crucial in answering these.