India’s digital landscape is buzzing as Bharti Airtel and Perplexity announce an unprecedented partnership. Together, they are rolling out an offer that will see all of Airtel’s 360 million users across India get a complimentary 12-month subscription to Perplexity Pro.
This move comes hot on the heels of another landmark initiative for Indian users. Just days prior, Google unveiled free one-year access to its Gemini Pro plan for eligible students in the country—an otherwise premium subscription valued at ₹19,500. Now, Airtel’s collaboration with Perplexity promises to democratize access even further, taking generative AI capabilities from an exclusive paid feature to a digital staple available to all Airtel users at zero extra cost.
What is Perplexity Pro—and Why Does it Matter?
Perplexity, based in the United States, stands at the forefront of AI-driven search, offering fast, real-time, and deeply researched answers in conversational language. Its standard version is already praised for its capability and utility. But the Pro version—globally priced at ₹17,000 per year—takes things several steps ahead. Subscribers receive:
- Access to cutting-edge AI models (GPT 4.1, Claude 4, OpenAI’s o3, xAI’s Grok 4, and more)
- Deep research capabilities
- File uploads and analysis
- The Labs feature for managing complex projects (including reports, spreadsheets, dashboards, and even web apps)
- API access and priority support
Airtel’s rollout means that the sophisticated capabilities of Perplexity Pro are now free for all Airtel mobile, Wi-Fi, and DTH customers for a year. This is a win-win-win for Airtel, Perplexity, and Indian users turning to Gen AI in increasing numbers.
Unleashing the Power of Generative AI for Everyone
Explaining the vision behind this partnership, Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, shared, “We’re thrilled to announce a game-changing partnership with Perplexity, bringing their cutting-edge AI capabilities exclusively for Airtel customers. This collaboration will bring the powerful and real-time knowledge tool for millions of users at their fingertips, at no extra cost. This first of its kind Gen-AI partnership in India is focused on helping our customers navigate the emerging trends in the digital world with confidence and ease.”
For Perplexity, the move signals a major step forward in its mission to reach global audiences. Aravind Srinivas, Co-founder and CEO of Perplexity, commented, “This partnership is an exciting way to make accurate, trustworthy, and professional-grade AI accessible to more people in India—whether a student, working professional, or managing a household. With Perplexity Pro, users get a smarter, easier way to find information, learn, and get more done.”
Real-World Impact: From Students to Homemakers to Professionals
Perplexity Pro is designed for diverse everyday scenarios. Whether it’s a student in Rajkot finding legitimate research and structuring assignments, a homemaker in Kanyakumari swiftly organizing her daily activities and recipes, or a professional using AI to build a personalized vacation itinerary in seconds—the utility is tangible.
By making advanced AI tools such as file analysis, research assistants, and creative generators available to everyone, Airtel and Perplexity are setting the pace for the next digital revolution in India.
How Users Can Redeem the Offer
The process is simple and inclusive. Any Airtel subscriber—across mobile, Wi-Fi, or DTH—can log onto the Airtel Thanks App and follow these steps:
- Open ‘Rewards and OTTs’ from the homepage
- Locate the Perplexity Pro offer
- Redeem and activate the free subscription
Eligibility spans both prepaid and postpaid plans, ensuring maximum reach.
A New Era of Freebies—and Healthy Competition
India’s digital sphere is no stranger to fierce competition and innovation. The back-to-back AI subscription giveaways from global giants such as Google and now Perplexity (via Airtel) underscore a new trend: premium digital tools are being made universally accessible, nurturing a new generation of AI-literate users.
With OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Perplexity all eyeing Indian uptake, the country’s 1.4 billion population can expect more such initiatives as providers vie for mindshare and market share.
Closing Thoughts
Airtel and Perplexity’s partnership signals not just a marketing gambit, but an inflection point for Indian tech users. Premium AI is no longer the purview of large enterprises or well-heeled technophiles; it is now in the hands of the everyday Indian, from classrooms and kitchens to boardrooms.
It’s a digital moment worth celebrating—and one likely to be the first of many.
