OpenAI Expands Its Footprint in India with New Offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru
OpenAI has announced a major expansion of its operations in India, revealing plans to open new offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru during 2026. The announcement was made at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in Delhi, where the company also launched its ‘OpenAI for India’ initiative. Currently, OpenAI operates a single office in New Delhi, and these new locations are intended to strengthen collaboration with businesses, developers, and academic institutions across the country.
Building on the Delhi Foundation
OpenAI opened its first official office in India in New Delhi back in August 2025. The capital was chosen as a strategic base to work closely with government bodies and policymakers to help shape the future of artificial intelligence in the country. Now, with the addition of offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru, the company aims to deepen its engagement with India’s thriving tech and business communities. CEO Sam Altman confirmed the expansion, though specific timelines for opening or hiring details have not yet been shared. The Indian operations are currently led by Praggya Mishra, who serves as the Head of Public Policy, while Raghav Gupta has been appointed to lead the education vertical for India and the broader APAC region.
India: A Key Market for OpenAI
India has rapidly become OpenAI’s second-largest market globally, trailing only the United States. The company reports that ChatGPT now has over 100 million weekly active users in the country, a clear sign of the growing appetite for AI tools. Sam Altman noted that India is at the forefront of AI adoption and emphasized the company’s commitment to building the necessary infrastructure and partnerships to support this growth. The expansion into new cities signals a long-term investment strategy aimed at establishing a strong and lasting presence in the region.
Strategic Partnership with Tata Group for AI Infrastructure
Alongside the office expansion, OpenAI has announced a significant partnership with the Tata Group to develop AI-ready data center infrastructure in India. Under this collaboration, OpenAI will become the first customer of Tata Consultancy Services’ (TCS) HyperVault data center. The project is set to begin with a capacity of 100 megawatts, with plans to scale it up to 1 gigawatt in the future. This data center will enable OpenAI to run its advanced AI models locally within India, ensuring better data security, compliance with local regulations, and improved data residency.
Enterprise Adoption of ChatGPT and Codex
As part of the same partnership, the Tata Group will roll out ChatGPT Enterprise for its employees over the coming years, starting with TCS staff. Additionally, TCS plans to integrate OpenAI’s Codex tools into its software development workflows. This move is expected to accelerate coding processes, boost efficiency, and enhance overall productivity across the organization.
Focus on Education and Skill Development
OpenAI is also expanding its educational initiatives in India. TCS is set to become the first organization outside the United States to adopt OpenAI’s certification programs. Furthermore, the company has announced educational partnerships with several leading institutions, including the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. These collaborations are designed to promote AI skills among students and professionals, preparing the next generation for an AI-driven economy.
Strengthening India’s AI Ecosystem
This multi-pronged expansion by OpenAI is widely seen as a significant step toward strengthening India’s AI ecosystem. With new offices, dedicated data center infrastructure, enterprise deployments, and educational partnerships, the initiative is expected to give a substantial boost to AI research, startups, and digital innovation in the country. These efforts could further position India as a global AI hub, enabling it to play a pivotal role in the emerging AI economy.
