New Delhi– OpenAI on Monday announced the launch of the “OpenAI Learning Accelerator,” a new India-first initiative designed to equip teachers and students with artificial intelligence tools to enhance education.
The program, unveiled ahead of the India AI Action Summit 2026, will focus on accelerating research, expanding access, and providing AI training in classrooms nationwide.
India, home to the world’s largest student population using ChatGPT, is seen as uniquely positioned to lead in AI-enabled learning. Millions of students already rely on ChatGPT for exam preparation, homework assistance, and creative exploration, according to the company.
Through the initiative, OpenAI will collaborate with institutions such as IIT Madras and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). IIT Madras has signed a research agreement with OpenAI, supported by $500,000 in funding, to study how AI can improve learning outcomes and teaching methods.
On the access side, OpenAI said it plans to distribute about 500,000 ChatGPT licenses over the next six months to educators and students across India, working in partnership with the Ministry of Education, AICTE, and ARISE schools. Training programs will also be introduced to build AI literacy and confidence among teachers and learners.
A key feature of the Accelerator will be ChatGPT’s new “study mode,” designed to function as a personalized tutor, offering step-by-step guidance with interactive responses and structured instruction.
“This effort represents one of OpenAI’s most significant investments in India’s education ecosystem to date,” said Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s Vice President of Education. “We believe AI can empower educators and learners, but it must be done responsibly and in partnership with institutions.”
To drive the initiative, OpenAI has appointed Raghav Gupta, former Managing Director of Coursera for Asia Pacific, as its Head of Education for India and the region. Gupta will lead efforts to broaden access and work with schools, universities, and government bodies to integrate AI into teaching and learning.
The launch comes as OpenAI deepens its presence in India, with plans to open a New Delhi office, roll out a ChatGPT Go subscription priced at Rs 399 per month, expand Indic language support in GPT-5, and partner with the Ministry of Electronics and IT on nationwide AI literacy campaigns.
Welcoming the collaboration, IIT Madras Director Dr. Kamakoti Veezhinathan and AICTE Chairman Prof. T.G. Sitharam said the initiative would strengthen India’s AI-powered education system and better prepare the next generation of students and teachers. (Source: IANS)
