February 19, 2026
Tata Group, the legendary Indian conglomerate known for building everything from salt to software, is teaming up with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, to transform India into a global artificial intelligence powerhouse.
Announced at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the Tata OpenAI Partnership aims to build massive digital infrastructure and provide AI tools to millions of people across the country.
Building India’s Sovereign AI Infrastructure
A major part of the OpenAI Tata deal focuses on “sovereign AI,” which means keeping Indian data within the country’s borders.
As part of a global project called Stargate, OpenAI and Tata Group will develop local data centers designed for high security and domestic capability.
OpenAI will be the first major customer for HyperVault, a specialized data center business launched by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in 2025. Here are the key technical details of the infrastructure:
- Initial Capacity: The project starts with 100 megawatts (MW) of power.
- Scaling Up: There is a clear plan to scale this capacity to 1 gigawatt (GW) over time.
- Advanced Features: These data centers use green energy and liquid-cooling technology to handle the heavy processing needs of modern AI.
- Security: This local setup ensures OpenAI’s most advanced models run with lower latency while meeting strict government compliance and data residency rules.
Transforming Global Enterprises
The Tata OpenAI Partnership includes a strategic plan to accelerate AI adoption at a global scale.
Tata Group plans to deploy ChatGPT Enterprise to hundreds of thousands of TCS employees, creating one of the largest enterprise AI deployments in history.
Beyond internal use, TCS and OpenAI are launching joint go-to-market initiatives to help other businesses. This includes building Agentic AI solutions, where OpenAI’s models and TCS’s industry knowledge combine to create autonomous tools for complex business tasks.
This builds on OpenAI’s existing momentum with Indian leaders like:
- JioHotstar, PhonePe, and Paytm
- Pine Labs, HCLTech, and Cars24
- CRED, Eternal, and MakeMyTrip
Upskilling Millions of Indian Citizens
With over 100 million weekly ChatGPT users in India, education is a top priority. The partners are launching several programs to prepare the workforce for an AI-driven economy.
- Professional Certifications: TCS will be the first organization outside the United States to offer OpenAI Certifications, helping professionals build practical AI skills.
- Academic Licenses: More than 100,000 “ChatGPT Edu” licenses will be provided to top institutions like IIM Ahmedabad, AIIMS New Delhi, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, and Pearl Academy.
- Youth Impact: The OpenAI Foundation and TCS aim to improve the livelihoods of at least one million Indian youth by providing AI training and toolkits for NGOs.
Leadership Perspectives
The leaders of both organizations believe this move is a turning point for the region.
CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, said, “India is already leading the way in AI adoption… we’re working together to build the infrastructure, skills, and local partnerships needed to build AI with India, for India, and in India.”
Moreover, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, added, “This strategic collaboration… marks a major milestone in India’s vision to become a global leader in AI. Together we will skill India’s youth and empower them to succeed in the AI era.”
Expanding Local Presence
To support this growth, OpenAI is increasing its physical footprint in the country.
In addition to their current office in New Delhi, they plan to open new offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru later this year.
The Tata OpenAI Partnership represents a massive leap forward for India’s digital economy.
By combining Tata’s industrial scale with OpenAI’s cutting-edge technology, this Tata OpenAI collaboration ensures that India does not just use AI, but helps build its future.
Maria Isabel Rodrigues
