OpenAI is set to open its first-ever office in India later in 2025, with New Delhi chosen as the launch location. CEO Sam Altman announced the move, highlighting India’s rapid AI adoption and the exponential growth of ChatGPT’s user base in the country. He also confirmed his visit to India in September 2025 as part of the rollout.

After making OpenAI work for you, now you can work for OpenAI.

They just opened an office in New Delhi and have begun hiring! pic.twitter.com/QW8SgXufqU
— Ishan Tanna IN (@IshanTanna1) August 23, 2025

India has become one of the largest markets for AI applications, making this decision both strategic and timely. The government has been increasingly vocal about responsible and inclusive AI at scale.

OpenAI also recently introduced an India-focused paid plan for ChatGPT, which reflects its long-term view of the country not only as a consumer base but also as a development and partnership hub.

What We Know So Far: Timeline, Location, Hiring

The office is expected to open later this year, with Sam Altman visiting New Delhi in September to meet developers, policymakers, and industry leaders. The company has already begun setting up its local team and posting jobs focused on account management and enterprise partnerships.

This signals OpenAI’s immediate focus on engaging businesses, developers, and ecosystem partners. In addition, OpenAI is expected to organize events such as an Education Summit and a Developer Day to build grassroots momentum and strengthen its community presence.

Government Signals And Policy Alignment

The Indian government has welcomed OpenAI’s decision to enter the market, aligning it with national initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission. India’s strong digital infrastructure—from Aadhaar to UPI—creates a unique foundation for deploying AI at scale in sectors such as education, healthcare, financial services, and public administration.

Having a local office enables OpenAI to work more closely with policymakers to ensure responsible AI adoption, while also providing an opportunity to participate in national projects and frameworks for safe, inclusive AI.

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What This Means For Developers, Startups, And Enterprises

For developers and startups, OpenAI’s local presence could mean greater access to technical support, workshops, and collaborative opportunities. Startups working on multilingual AI applications, agri-tech solutions, education technology, and telemedicine can benefit from closer engagement with OpenAI’s expertise and tools.

Large enterprises will likely gain from localized support in deploying AI at scale—whether through customer service automation, knowledge management systems, or sector-specific copilots.

India-specific pricing strategies could also make enterprise adoption smoother and more cost-effective. Over time, this presence may drive innovations in Indic language support, low-bandwidth AI models, and solutions for compliance-heavy industries.

The Strategic Picture: Why A Delhi Beachhead Matters

Choosing New Delhi for its first office places OpenAI at the center of India’s policymaking and regulatory landscape. This proximity will allow the company to actively participate in shaping frameworks for AI governance while accelerating public-sector pilots and industry partnerships.

The move signals that OpenAI is positioning itself as more than just a global AI provider—it wants to be a long-term partner for India’s digital transformation. While questions remain about whether the India office will expand into research and development or deeper academic partnerships, the intent is clear: India is no longer just a market for OpenAI, but a strategic hub for its global ambitions.

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