AI for All: Google and Perplexity Dial Up India’s Digital IQ for Free

India's AI adoption curve has just received a turbo boost. In a shrewd bid to win market share and user loyalty, Google and Perplexity have introduced free access to their premium AI plans costing almost ₹20,000 per unit for a select few Indian users. The freebies signal a new paradigm in the AI race, where openness is the currency.

Major points of the rollout

- Google is offering its Gemini 2.5 Pro plan free for a year to eligible Indian students aged 18+, in accredited colleges
- The system includes Gemini Live, Veo 3 video recording, DeepMind software, and NotebookLM with expanded utilization ability
- Airtel has joined hands with Perplexity to provide its ₹17,000 Pro subscription for 12 months free of cost to all mobile, broadband, and DTH subscribers
- Perplexity Pro unlocks high-end AI models like GPT-4o, Claude 3.5, Sonnet, and Gemini 2.5, and image generation, file scanning, and API credits.

Strategic implications

1. Both of them are interested in building long-term user habits by offering top-quality tools free of charge
2. The shift is founded on India's gigantic internet base, with Airtel alone crossing 360 million consumers
3. These deals are expected to accelerate AI uptake among students, professionals, and consumers.

Why it matters

With technology being at the forefront of productivity and learning, these free plans unlock access and make Google and Perplexity household names in India's digital future.

 Sources: Republic World, OfficeChai, India Today, Times of India, Trak.in