ChatGPT Gets Costlier in India: Plus and Pro Plans Now Priced in Rupees – Check Full Details
Image via RoutineHub Blog
New Delhi, August 17, 2025 –
Indian users of ChatGPT woke up to a surprise today. OpenAI has officially revised the subscription charges for its popular AI chatbot services in the country. From now on, ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro plans will be billed in Indian rupees instead of US dollars. But there’s a catch – the plans are now more expensive than before.
This new local pricing model means Indians will pay about 14 percent higher charges compared to earlier rates in dollars. The change affects not only ChatGPT Plus but also the premium Pro plan.
📌 What Has Changed?
Until yesterday, Indian users had to pay in US dollars for premium ChatGPT subscriptions.
- ChatGPT Plus was priced at $20 per month, which converted to around ₹1,750 (depending on exchange rates).
- ChatGPT Pro came at a hefty $200 per month, or about ₹17,500.
From August 17, 2025, the new India-only prices are:
- ChatGPT Plus: ₹1,999 per month (inclusive of GST)
- ChatGPT Pro: ₹19,900 per month
This marks a direct increase of roughly 14% for both plans. The adjustment also applies to ChatGPT Team and Business plans.
📈 Why Did OpenAI Make This Move?
OpenAI explained that India is one of its largest and fastest-growing markets. The company said it wanted to make billing simpler and reduce dependency on international payment gateways.
- Paying in US dollars was often a challenge for Indian users. Many had issues with card payments, conversion charges, and RBI rules on recurring subscriptions.
- By introducing local INR pricing, OpenAI hopes to expand its user base and make payments more seamless.
Interestingly, India has now become one of the few countries in the world with a special local pricing structure. This shows the importance of the Indian market for OpenAI’s future plans.
💰 How Much Higher Is It Really?
Here’s a quick comparison of old vs new prices in India:
| Plan | Old Price (USD) | Old Approx. INR | New Price (INR) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus | $20 | ~₹1,750 | ₹1,999 | +₹249 (~14%) |
| Pro | $200 | ~₹17,500 | ₹19,900 | +₹2,400 (~14%) |
For regular Plus users, the hike might look small – just ₹249 more each month. But for Pro users, the increase is ₹2,400 monthly, which adds up to almost ₹28,800 extra per year.
🚀 What About ChatGPT Go?
Alongside this price hike, OpenAI is also testing a new budget-friendly plan in India called ChatGPT Go.
- Expected price: ₹399 per month
- Target audience: students, casual users, and first-time subscribers
- Likely features: expanded messaging limits, image generation, longer memory, and limited access to research tools.
This plan is designed to compete with other free or low-cost AI tools already available in India.
🌍 India’s Role in ChatGPT’s Global Growth
India is OpenAI’s second-largest market after the US. Reports suggest that the country may soon overtake the US in terms of active ChatGPT users.
Reasons behind this rapid growth include:
- High student population using ChatGPT for learning, assignments, and test prep.
- Startups and professionals relying on AI for coding, marketing, and content.
- Digital-first economy, where affordable AI tools gain quick adoption.
So, while the prices have gone up, India remains a priority market for OpenAI.
⚔️ Competition Heating Up
The timing of this price hike is interesting. Several other AI platforms are targeting Indian users aggressively:
- Google Gemini offers free and paid versions with strong integration into Google services.
- Perplexity AI is gaining traction with its ad-supported free model.
- Anthropic’s Claude and other smaller AI chatbots are entering India with cheaper or free options.
This means OpenAI must balance profitability with accessibility. The upcoming ChatGPT Go plan might be the company’s strategy to win back budget-conscious users.
✅ What Users Should Do
If you’re a ChatGPT user in India, here are some points to keep in mind:
- Expect higher bills – Plus and Pro plans are now costlier by 14%.
- Local billing is simpler – You can now pay directly in rupees, no conversion hassles.
- Cheaper option coming soon – If Plus feels expensive, wait for ChatGPT Go.
- Evaluate alternatives – Compare with Google Gemini or Perplexity if budget is tight.
- Pro plan only for heavy users – At ₹19,900/month, it is meant for researchers, developers, and businesses.