OpenAI is planning to set up a large-scale data centre in India with at least 1 gigawatt of capacity, according to Bloomberg. The project will form part of the company’s global AI infrastructure expansion and could power localized services for Indian users.
Details on the location and commissioning timeline are yet to be disclosed. CEO Sam Altman is expected to share updates during his visit to India in September.
Stargate Project Links
The India data centre is tied to Stargate, a private AI infrastructure initiative launched earlier this year, backed by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. Stargate plans to invest up to $500 billion globally, with projects totaling 4.5 GW already underway in the U.S. and additional ventures in Norway and the UAE. The Indian facility would mark Stargate’s first major data centre in Asia.
Expanding Local Presence
OpenAI has registered as a legal entity in India and is building a local team. Its first office in New Delhi is expected to open later this year. India is already OpenAI’s second-largest market by users, and the company has rolled out a ₹399/month ChatGPT Go plan designed specifically for Indian consumers.
Education Programme Rollout
Alongside infrastructure and business expansion, OpenAI has introduced the Learning Accelerator programme, offering 500,000 free ChatGPT licences for six months to students and educators. The initiative spans schools, engineering institutes, and K-12 teachers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, AICTE, and ARISE schools. The programme aims to democratize access to AI tools and support skill development.
India’s Growing Role
India has witnessed a 4x surge in ChatGPT adoption over the past year, underlining its importance to OpenAI’s global strategy. The combination of infrastructure investment, education initiatives, and tailored subscription models reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the Indian market.
Summary
OpenAI is preparing to build a 1 GW data centre in India, its first of this scale in Asia, as part of the Stargate AI infrastructure project. Alongside setting up a New Delhi office and launching a low-cost subscription plan, OpenAI has rolled out an education initiative providing 500,000 free ChatGPT licences. With usage in India growing fourfold in the past year, the country is emerging as a core hub in OpenAI’s global expansion strategy.
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