AI Adoption Reaches New Milestone as India Becomes One of ChatGPT’s Largest Markets
India has crossed a major technology milestone, with ChatGPT reaching 100 million weekly active users in the country as of February 2026. The figure was shared by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman ahead of a major AI summit in New Delhi.
The number makes India one of the largest ChatGPT markets globally, reflecting the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence tools across schools, colleges, startups, and businesses.
The milestone matters because it shows how AI is moving from niche tech circles into everyday life, especially among young users and working professionals.
100 Million Weekly Users: A Major AI Milestone
OpenAI’s latest data shows that 10 crore people in India now use ChatGPT every week, making the country one of the platform’s fastest-growing markets.
The growth has been driven mainly by students using AI for learning and assignments, developers and startups using it for coding and research, and businesses using it for content, support, and automation.
India also has one of the largest student user bases on ChatGPT, highlighting how deeply AI tools are entering the education system.
Globally, ChatGPT already has hundreds of millions of weekly users, and India is a major contributor to that growth.
Why ChatGPT Is Growing So Fast in India
Several factors have helped ChatGPT grow quickly in India.
1. Large Youth Population
India has one of the world’s youngest populations. Millions of students and early-career professionals are eager to learn new digital tools. This group has quickly adopted AI for studies, coding, and job preparation.
2. Affordable Internet and Smartphones
Low-cost data plans and widespread smartphone use have made AI tools accessible even in smaller cities and towns. This has allowed ChatGPT to reach users beyond major metro areas.
3. Low-Cost and Free AI Plans
Affordable subscription options and limited-time free access offers have helped attract millions of new users, especially students and young professionals.
4. Growing AI Education Initiatives
India has also seen a rise in AI-focused education programmes. Government and private initiatives are training teachers, students, and professionals to use generative AI tools.
What the Surge Means for Students
AI Becomes a Daily Learning Tool
For many students, ChatGPT has become part of daily academic life. It is used for explaining difficult concepts, summarising notes and textbooks, preparing presentations, and practising coding or language skills.
The platform’s popularity among students shows a shift toward AI-assisted learning, especially in engineering, management, and design courses.
Skill Development and Career Preparation
Students are also using AI to prepare for job interviews, build resumes, learn programming languages, and explore business ideas. This trend is helping many young users build practical skills faster.
New Challenges in Education
However, the rise of AI tools also raises concerns such as over-dependence on AI for assignments, difficulty in checking originality, and the need for new exam and evaluation methods.
Educational institutions are now working on guidelines to ensure responsible and ethical AI use.
Impact on Businesses and Startups
Automation of Routine Tasks
Small businesses and startups are using ChatGPT to automate everyday work. This includes writing emails and marketing content, creating product descriptions, handling customer queries, and generating reports.
These uses help companies save time and reduce costs.
Boost for India’s Startup Ecosystem
AI tools are lowering the entry barrier for startups. Founders can build prototypes faster, create apps without large teams, and launch marketing campaigns quickly. This is especially useful for early-stage startups with limited budgets.
Growth in AI-Based Services
The rise of ChatGPT usage is also pushing demand for AI-powered customer support, content automation tools, voice assistants in regional languages, and AI-driven analytics solutions.
Several Indian companies are now building their own AI models and tools to serve local needs.
India’s Growing Role in the Global AI Race
With 100 million weekly users, India has become one of the most important markets for AI platforms.
Global tech companies are focusing more on India because of its large digital population, rapid AI adoption, strong startup ecosystem, and growing government support for AI.
The milestone comes at a time when global tech leaders and policymakers are discussing the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on economies and jobs.
Government and Industry Push for AI Skills
India is investing heavily in AI education and training.
Recent initiatives include national AI missions and funding programmes, training for teachers and civil servants in AI tools, and AI courses for students and startups.
Some programmes aim to train millions of people in AI skills across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. These efforts are expected to increase AI adoption further in the coming years.
Competition in the AI Market
ChatGPT’s growth is happening alongside rising competition.
Global and Indian AI players are launching their own tools, including large language models in Indian languages, AI chatbots for businesses, and voice-based assistants for mobile users.
Indian startups are focusing on regional language AI models, which could play a big role in reaching rural and non-English-speaking users.
Opportunities and Risks Ahead
Opportunities
AI adoption brings several opportunities, including faster learning and skill development, lower costs for startups and small businesses, new AI-based job roles, and growth in India’s digital economy.
Risks
At the same time, there are risks such as job displacement in routine tasks, misinformation or incorrect AI outputs, privacy and data concerns, and over-reliance on AI tools.
Experts say the focus should remain on responsible AI use and skill development.
What to Expect Next
With AI adoption rising quickly, the next phase could include more AI tools in regional languages, AI features built into everyday apps, wider use of AI in schools and offices, and stronger regulations around AI use.
Industry analysts expect India’s AI user base to grow further in 2026 and beyond.
Bottom Line
ChatGPT reaching 100 million weekly users in India marks a major shift in how technology is used across the country.
The surge shows that students are using AI for learning and skills, businesses are adopting AI for daily tasks, and India is becoming a key player in the global AI ecosystem.
As artificial intelligence becomes more common in classrooms and workplaces, the next phase of India’s digital growth is likely to be driven by AI-powered tools and services.
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Last Updated on: Monday, February 16, 2026 12:58 pm by Digital Herald Team | Published by: Digital Herald Team on Monday, February 16, 2026 12:58 pm | News Categories: Technology