OpenAI has launched a landmark programme to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in India’s education sector. As part of this initiative, the company will distribute 500,000 paid ChatGPT licenses to schools, universities, and technical institutes across the country. The rollout will be accompanied by specialised teacher training modules, ensuring educators can effectively integrate AI tools into lesson planning, assignments, and classroom engagement.
At the launch of the OpenAI Learning Accelerator in New Delhi, Leah Belsky, Vice President of Education at OpenAI, stressed that India is at the heart of the company’s long-term educational vision. She introduced ChatGPT’s new “Study Mode,” a feature designed specifically for the Indian curriculum, covering CBSE boards and competitive exams like IIT-JEE. Unlike simple answer generation, Study Mode aims to enhance active learning and personalised tutoring experiences for students.
A cornerstone of this initiative is OpenAI’s research partnership with IIT Madras, backed by a $500,000 research fund. The collaboration will focus on evaluating how AI-driven tools can improve learning outcomes and foster innovative teaching methodologies informed by cognitive neuroscience.
Over the next six months, OpenAI will work closely with the Ministry of Education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and ARISE to distribute licenses and deliver comprehensive teacher training programmes. The goal is to empower educators with AI support, enabling them to devote more time to mentorship, creativity, and human connection in the classroom.
Recognising India’s diverse educational landscape—from top-tier universities to rural schools, OpenAI has appointed Raghav Gupta as Head of Education for India and Asia Pacific. His mandate will focus on scaling AI accessibility for students, teachers, and researchers, while also strengthening government and institutional partnerships.
India’s youth have already shown a remarkable affinity for AI, with more than 50% of ChatGPT’s Indian users under the age of 24. This underscores the platform’s role in shaping future-ready learning environments.
Through this initiative, OpenAI envisions classrooms where AI enhances personalised tutoring, automates routine tasks for educators, and equips institutions for a technology-driven future. The India-first rollout demonstrates the company’s belief that artificial intelligence will be a transformative force in global education, with India positioned as a central hub for innovation and large-scale adoption.
