Airtel has announced a new offer for its customers across India, giving them complimentary access to the Perplexity Pro subscription plan for one year. The subscription, which usually costs Rs 17,000 annually, is now being offered at no cost to all Airtel users, including those on mobile, broadband, and DTH services. Customers can claim the subscription through the Airtel Thanks app.
This move comes as part of Airtel’s partnership with Perplexity, an AI-powered search and answer engine. Perplexity offers a conversational approach to web search, giving users direct and well-researched responses instead of just listing search results. The platform is designed to handle follow-up queries and deliver context-rich information in real time. While the basic version of Perplexity is free for all, the Pro version brings advanced features meant for heavy users, professionals, and those who rely on AI for deeper research and productivity.
With Perplexity Pro, users get unlimited daily Pro searches, access to advanced AI models such as GPT-4.1 and Claude, the option to upload files for analysis, tools for image generation, and access to Perplexity Labs, a space where users can test and build new ideas using AI. To activate the free subscription, Airtel users can simply log in to the Airtel Thanks app and follow the instructions provided.
Airtel has confirmed that the offer is open to all its existing customers. This is the first time Perplexity has tied up with a telecom operator in India. Perplexity has previously partnered with companies like SoftBank and T-Mobile in other countries. The partnership is seen as part of a larger push to bring high-end AI tools into the hands of everyday users in India, one of the world’s biggest internet markets.
“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,” said Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Bharti Airtel in a statement.
Perplexity’s Co-founder and CEO, Aravind Srinivas, also spoke on the partnership, saying, “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.”
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