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In a major boost for AI adoption in India, Airtel has partnered with Perplexity AI to offer its users a free 1-year subscription to Perplexity Pro, which usually costs around ₹17,000. This offer is available to all Airtel postpaid, broadband, and DTH customers and can be claimed through the Airtel Thanks app. It marks a big move to make advanced AI tools accessible to everyday users — from students and working professionals to researchers and business owners.
Perplexity Pro is not just another AI chatbot. It combines the power of multiple AI models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 and Anthropic’s Claude, in a clean, easy-to-use interface. Users can ask anything — from academic questions to business research — and receive quick, well-referenced, and up-to-date answers. What makes Perplexity unique is its “Pro Search” feature, which not only generates AI responses but also links to real sources, giving users the confidence to rely on its answers. It also allows file uploads, image generation, and multi-model conversations, all in one place.
Airtel users can activate this premium plan by opening the “Rewards & OTT” section in the Airtel Thanks app. Once activated, they will have full access to premium tools for one year, completely free of cost. No recharge or add-on is needed at this stage. This move is part of Airtel’s broader push to integrate cutting-edge technology and offer more value-added digital experiences for its users.
In addition to this, Perplexity AI recently launched a new premium tier called “Perplexity Max” for power users like researchers and developers. This tier, priced at $200/month (around ₹17,000/month), includes unlimited usage, early access to Perplexity’s upcoming AI browser called “Comet”, and priority support. While this tier targets professionals, the free Pro plan offered by Airtel still provides more than enough features for everyday and professional use.
This partnership signals a larger trend — as AI becomes more central to daily tasks, telecom providers like Airtel are moving quickly to bundle smart AI tools with data and network services. For Indian users, this is a golden opportunity to experience next-generation AI at no cost.
