India's ChatGPT Conundrum: Explosive Growth, Limited Monetization

India has rapidly emerged as ChatGPT's fastest-growing market, showcasing an extraordinary appetite for AI-driven services. However, OpenAI is encountering significant challenges in translating this burgeoning popularity into substantial revenue. Despite the impressive adoption rates and user engagement, subscription income from India remains a fraction of what the company generates in the United States.

According to data from the app intelligence platform Appfigures, over 20% of ChatGPT's Android app downloads in 2025 have originated from India. This surge in adoption gained further momentum following the viral launch of a new image-generation tool that creates Ghibli-style art. This feature propelled the platform to gain one million users in a single hour, a milestone that initially took five days to achieve back in 2022. CEO Sam Altman described this event as one of the "craziest viral moments" he had witnessed.

Analytics firm SensorTower reports that Indian users have spent $8 million on ChatGPT subscriptions via in-app payments since 2023, excluding web-based payments. While this figure demonstrates a willingness to invest in the platform, it pales in comparison to the $330 million spent by users in the United States during the same period. ChatGPT's most affordable plan is priced at $20 per month (over Rs 1,700), a steep price for a digital service in the Indian market.

OpenAI's chief operating officer, Brad Lightcap, acknowledged India's rapid growth in a recent post on X. Sam Altman has also expressed enthusiasm about the adoption of AI in India, noting the "explosion of creativity" and the country's potential to lead the AI revolution. During a visit to New Delhi, Altman met with Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and emphasized India's growing tech ecosystem as a key factor in its AI leadership potential. He stated, "India is very important to us and we hope to have more to share soon. It's a market we want to do way more in, and are working on some large partnerships here. It'll be a core part of our future."

Despite the challenges in monetization, OpenAI remains committed to the Indian market and is actively exploring strategies to better cater to the needs and economic realities of Indian users.