New Delhi, August 25–26, 2025: OpenAI has unveiled its most ambitious education initiative yet—OpenAI Learning Accelerator—in India. Designed to empower educators and transform learning, the program promises to distribute 500,000 free ChatGPT Plus accounts to government and AICTE-regulated institutions over the next six months.
A Transformative Investment in AI Education
OpenAI has committed approximately ₹4.5 crore (USD 500,000) in a research grant to IIT Madras, aiming to conduct long-term studies on AI’s role in learning, teaching methods, and student outcomes—rooted in cognitive neuroscience.This initiative is not just about access—it’s about meaningful change in how AI supports education.
A Nationwide Rollout Through Key Partnerships
The distribution of these 5 lakh ChatGPT Plus accounts will unfold across three primary channels:
ARISE member schools will enable K–12 educators to integrate AI into daily teaching practices.
Ministry of Education will deliver access to teachers in government schools (Classes 1–12).
AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) will extend ChatGPT to technical colleges, supporting both faculty and students in building digital and research skills.
This ensures that even educators in rural or underserved areas—across Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities—can benefit from AI tools tailored to their needs.
Empowering Teachers and Students, Not Replacing Them
OpenAI emphasizes that this effort is meant to enrich learning—not short-circuit it. Study Mode, already available in ChatGPT, guides learners through problems step by step, encouraging critical thinking through Socratic questioning, scaffolding, personalized feedback, and quizzes.
Leadership and Local Commitment
To oversee this ambitious program, OpenAI has appointed Raghav Gupta—formerly Managing Director for India & APAC at Coursera—as its Head of Education for India and the Asia-Pacific region. Gupta brings deep edtech and educational leadership experience to spearhead this initiative.
A Strategic Bet on India
OpenAI is also expanding its physical presence in the country. A new office in New Delhi is set to open later this year, underlining India’s rising importance to the company. Meanwhile, it has launched the ChatGPT Go subscription plan in India at just ₹399/month, offering stronger usage limits and tailored features between Free and Plus tiers.
Why This Matters
- Scales AI access enormously—500,000 educators and students gain premium tools at no cost.
- Bridges the digital divide, especially for underserved and remote areas.
- Promotes AI literacy, through training and research-based learning tools.
- Deepens OpenAI’s commitment to India’s education ecosystem—both digitally and institutionally.