OpenAI’s decision to step into Indian college campuses comes at a time when the fight for the country’s students is quietly intensifying. After years of building a huge consumer base through ChatGPIT, the US-based AI company is now turning its focus to institutions that shape the way Indians study, work and build careers. Also, Google is getting closer to preparing for the IIT entrance exam, the most stressful point in an Indian student’s life. Overall, these moves show how India has become more than just a fast-growing user base for global AI firms. Now it is proof of how artificial intelligence can be incorporated into education on a large scale.

OpenAI expanding in India, now focusing on institutions

This week, OpenAI announced partnerships with six public and private higher-education institutions in India spanning engineering, management, medicine and design. The first set of campuses includes the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi. The company said the initiative is expected to reach more than 100,000 students, faculty members and staff over the next year.

Unlike previous waves of AI adoption driven by individual users experimenting with chatbots, OpenAI’s push in India is designed to sit deeply inside academic systems. Campuses will have access to ChatGPIT edu tools, faculty training, and a framework focused on responsible use. Rather than treating AI as a standalone productivity tool, the emphasis has shifted to using AI for everyday academic tasks, from coding and research to analysis and case discussions.

The move is notable as India is already one of OpenAI’s largest markets. Chief executive Sam Altman has said that there are more than 100 million monthly ChatGate users in the country, making it the company’s second-largest user base after the US. Still, consumer scale alone does not guarantee long-term impact. By working directly with colleges, OpenAI is bringing itself closer to how AI skills are taught and normalized among future engineers, managers, doctors, and designers.

Two partner institutes, IIM Ahmedabad and Manipal Academy of Higher Education, will also offer OpenAI-supported certificates. Beyond campus, the company plans to work with Indian ed-tech platforms including Physics Wala, UpGrad and HCL GUVI to offer structured AI courses for students and early career professionals.

Raghav Gupta, head of education at OpenAI India, described it as a “crucial path” for educational institutions to bridge the gap between rapidly advancing AI tools and how people actually use them as skill demands change.

Google is also targeting students to help them crack IIT

While OpenAI is incorporating AI inside degree programs, Google is targeting a much earlier and more emotional stage of the student journey. In January 2026, the company announced free mock JEE preparation tests on Google Gemini, which was unveiled during the India AI Summit 2026.

Created in collaboration with Careers360 and Physics Wala, this feature allows students to take full-length mock JEE tests by entering a simple prompt. The AI ​​generates questions designed to match the structure and difficulty of the actual exam, then breaks down mistakes, explains concepts step by step, and highlights areas that need improvement. The tests are available in multiple languages, expanding reach beyond English-speaking students.

The launch comes just days after Google introduced an SAT preparation tool for students planning to study in the US, pointing to a strategy around education-based AI use. Google has said that India has recorded the highest usage of Gemini globally for learning, including exam preparation and real-world problem-solving.

For millions of Indian students, competitive exams like JEE are not just academic milestones but life-defining events, often accompanied by expensive coaching and years of pressure. Free AI-based practice tools, even if imperfect, have the potential to change how students prepare and who gets access to high-quality feedback.