India’s second-largest telecom operator, Bharti Airtel, has announced an exclusive partnership with AI-powered answer engine Perplexity, offering all its users free access to Perplexity Pro, a premium tool worth ₹17,000 annually. This initiative marks a significant step towards democratizing access to cutting-edge AI tools in India.
Let’s break down what this means for Airtel users, how you can claim it, and why this move matters in the evolving AI landscape.
Perplexity is an AI-powered search and answer engine, designed to deliver real-time, conversational, and deeply researched responses. It acts like a more advanced version of traditional search engines, providing users with accurate and easy-to-read answers instead of a list of web pages.
Founded in 2022, the platform has quickly risen to prominence and is often compared with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. It supports advanced research, summarization, document analysis, and more.
| Features | Free Plan | Perplexity Pro Plan (₹17,000/year) |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Searches | 3 per day | Unlimited |
| AI Models | Basic models only | Access to advanced models (GPT-4.1, Claude) |
| File Uploads | Limited | Unlimited with analysis support |
| Image Generation | Not available | Available |
| Research Features | 3/day | Unlimited |
| Support | Basic | Priority support via Discord & Intercom |
| Developer Tools | Not available | $5 monthly API credits included |
Airtel is offering 360 million+ customers (across mobile, broadband, and DTH) 12 months of Perplexity Pro for free, with no auto-renewal. This offer is valid until January 17, 2026, and will be accessible via the Airtel Thanks app.
Airtel users can claim the offer by following these simple steps:
1. Open the Airtel Thanks app (available on Android and iOS)
2. Tap on the Perplexity Pro offer
3. Click “Claim Now” and then Proceed
4. Click on Proceed
5. Enter your email ID and verify with OTP or Use Sign in with Google
6. Done! You can now use Perplexity Pro on both app and web.
Note: Users must remain an active Airtel subscriber during the 12-month period to retain access.
This is Perplexity’s first-ever partnership with an Indian telecom operator and signals its deeper push into the Indian market. In the past, it has partnered with global giants like SoftBank and T-Mobile.
Aravind Srinivas, Co-founder & CEO of Perplexity, emphasized the importance of this partnership:
“This is an exciting way to bring trustworthy, professional-grade AI to more people — whether students, professionals, or homemakers.”
Apart from this Airtel partnership, Perplexity has made notable moves in India:
The startup has already raised $500 million at a $9 billion valuation, with backing from major players like NVIDIA and Jeff Bezos. Reports suggest it may soon raise funds at a $14 billion valuation.
Content Strategist & Career Researcher
Haris is a Content Strategist and Career Researcher at Talentd, specializing in job market trends, career development, and placement preparation. With years of experience guiding students and professionals from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, he crafts practical, research-backed content that helps users succeed in competitive hiring landscapes.
