NEW DELHI— OpenAI has unveiled the ‘OpenAI Learning Accelerator,’ a flagship initiative designed to bring artificial intelligence into classrooms across India by training teachers, expanding access to AI tools, and driving research in education.
Launched as part of the run-up to the India AI Action Summit 2026, the programme positions India — home to the world’s largest student population using ChatGPT — as a testbed for AI-powered learning. Millions of Indian students already rely on ChatGPT for exam preparation, homework assistance, and creative exploration, according to the company.
As part of the initiative, OpenAI will collaborate with IIT Madras and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). IIT Madras has signed a $500,000 research partnership with OpenAI to study how AI can boost learning outcomes and improve teaching methods.
On the access front, about 500,000 ChatGPT licenses will be distributed to educators and students over the next six months in partnership with the Ministry of Education, AICTE, and ARISE schools. The programme will also introduce training modules to help teachers build confidence in using AI.
The initiative will scale up new features like ChatGPT’s “study mode,” a personalised tutor designed to walk students through concepts step by step with interactive responses.
“This effort represents one of OpenAI’s most significant investments in India’s education ecosystem to date,” said Leah Belsky, Vice President of Education at OpenAI. “We believe AI can empower educators and learners, but it must be done responsibly and in partnership with institutions.”
To drive the expansion, OpenAI has appointed Raghav Gupta, former Managing Director of Coursera for India and Asia Pacific, as its new Head of Education for the region. Gupta will work with schools, universities, and government bodies to bring AI-enabled learning to scale.
The move follows a broader expansion push in India, where OpenAI is preparing to open its first New Delhi office. Other steps include the rollout of ChatGPT Go at Rs 399 per month for Indian users, expanded Indic language support in GPT-5, and a nationwide AI literacy programme with the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
IIT Madras Director Dr. Kamakoti Veezhinathan and AICTE Chairman Prof. T.G. Sitharam hailed the collaboration, calling it a step toward building an AI-driven education ecosystem that prepares India’s next generation of students and teachers. (Source: IANS)
