Airtel's Free Offer Pushes Perplexity Pro to No.1 on iOS in India, Surpassing ChatGPT

In a bold and strategic move, telecom giant Airtel has catapulted Perplexity AI to the top spot on the Apple App Store in India, overtaking ChatGPT and other leading apps. This surge in popularity comes on the heels of Airtel’s announcement offering a free one-year Perplexity Pro subscription to its vast base of users, spanning mobile, broadband, and DTH services.

Perplexity AI Takes the Lead in India’s AI Race

India’s growing fascination with AI tools saw a twist this week as Perplexity Pro claimed the #1 position on the iOS App Store. Its rise is significant given the intense competition in the AI app space, especially with global names like ChatGPT and Google Gemini in the fray.

Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, confirmed the development on X (formerly Twitter), celebrating the app’s surge in popularity. Independent checks further validated that Perplexity is now ranked above ChatGPT, which sits at number two, followed by popular apps like Meesho, Blinkit, and Amazon India in the top ten.

What’s Fueling the Surge? The Airtel Advantage
 

The biggest catalyst behind Perplexity’s meteoric rise is Airtel’s free one-year subscription offer for Perplexity Pro, a service otherwise valued at approximately ₹17,000 per year. The offer is available to all Airtel users—including mobile, broadband, and DTH customers—who can easily activate the subscription through the Airtel Thanks App.

This strategic move not only provides immense value to Airtel users but also introduces millions of Indians to a premium AI assistant at no cost.

What Does Perplexity Pro Include?
 

Perplexity Pro isn’t just another chatbot—it’s an advanced research assistant offering:

• Access to multiple top-tier AI models: Claude, Grok 4 by xAI, and OpenAI’s GPT-4.1
• File upload and analysis capabilities for documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs
• Image generation tools
• Deep research features, ideal for users who rely on AI for academic, corporate, or content creation purposes

This powerful combination of features positions Perplexity as a serious alternative to established AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini.

 

AI Apps Dominate India’s iOS Charts

The top ten free iOS apps in India reflect the growing dominance of AI tools:

• Perplexity
• ChatGPT
• Meesho
• Blinkit
• Google Gemini
• Threads
• Rapido
• Airtel Thanks
• District by Zomato
• Amazon India

The presence of three AI apps in the top five showcases India’s increasing adoption of artificial intelligence tools for personal and professional use. Perplexity’s ability to outpace even ChatGPT signals a shift in user preferences, driven by both accessibility and functionality.

Strategic Timing and Smart Distribution

Airtel’s timing couldn’t have been better. By rolling out this offer during a period of rising AI interest, it not only strengthens customer loyalty but also boosts the visibility of emerging AI platforms like Perplexity. The ease of claiming the subscription through the Airtel Thanks app ensures widespread adoption with minimal friction.
 

Conclusion: Perplexity’s Rise is Just the Beginning

While ChatGPT remains a global leader, Perplexity AI’s rise in India signals a dynamic shift in the AI space. With the backing of a telecom major like Airtel and a robust set of features, Perplexity is now firmly in the spotlight.

This milestone may also serve as a wake-up call to other tech giants: distribution and partnerships matter just as much as technology.