OpenAI Introduces Free Study Mode for Students in India in 11 Languages

“When ChatGPT is prompted to teach or tutor, it can significantly improve academic performance. But when it is just used as an answer machine, it can hinder learning,” said Leah Belsky, Vice President of Education at OpenAI.

On July 29, 2025, OpenAI released Study Mode, a new feature in ChatGPT that helps students learn through guided explanations rather than direct answers. The feature is now available in India, with support for eleven Indian languages, and is accessible to all users at no cost.

India represents more than 13.5% of ChatGPT’s global user base. A recent study in Delhi found that nearly half of college students use AI tools every week, and over 68% use them to understand complex topics. At the same time, gaps in access to qualified educators and local language content continue to affect student learning, especially in rural areas.

In this article, we will examine how Study Mode works, how it compares with similar tools, and what it offers students in India.

What Is Study Mode?

Study Mode is a new feature in ChatGPT designed to support learning through step-by-step guidance. It helps students think through problems instead of just receiving answers. The model asks questions, provides hints, and adapts its responses based on the student’s level and subject. It uses a method similar to how a tutor would engage a learner—by encouraging reasoning and reflection.

This mode does not include web browsing, images, or third-party plugins. It focuses only on the student’s question and the conversation that follows. Students can choose their subject and class level, and the responses are shaped accordingly.

Study Mode supports eleven Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Urdu, and Odia. This makes it easier for students to engage in a language they understand well.

The feature is available to all ChatGPT users in India across Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans. OpenAI developed Study Mode with input from educators and learning scientists, including partners in India.

How It Compares to Other AI Learning Tools?

While several large language models offer educational support, Study Mode introduces features that are designed specifically for school-level learning. These include subject and grade selection, language flexibility, and a closed, distraction-free environment. To better understand how it stands apart, we can compare it with other widely used AI tools.

Feature	ChatGPT Study Mode	Google Gemini for Education	Claude by Anthropic	Khanmigo (Khan Academy)
Availability	Free for all users	Limited or paid access	Requires subscription	Available to schools only
Guided learning approach	Yes	No	No	Partial
Grade-level support	Yes	No	No	Yes
Indian language support	11 languages	2 to 3 languages	English only	English only
Web or real-time browsing	No	Yes	Yes	No
Distraction-free design	Yes	No	No	Yes
Privacy and data safety	No external content access	Mixed	Web-based	Monitored by schools
Usability	High	Moderate	Moderate	Moderated
Response Time	~1.2 seconds	~1.5 seconds	~1.3 seconds	~1.4 seconds
Typical Use Cases	Self-paced learning, homework support, concept reinforcement, multilingual exam prep	Research tasks, quick fact-checking, document generation, integration with Google tools	Deep-dive reasoning, essay review, line-by-line problem-solving, structured summaries	Classroom activities, interactive quizzes, math tutoring, and reading comprehension (teacher-monitored)

A recent case study evaluated how large language models support academic learning. This study found that students who used ChatGPT with guided prompting answered 80% of questions correctly, compared to 65% among those who used a standard internet search. 

The model also produced explanations that matched or exceeded expert-generated answers in 66% of cases. These results highlight the value of a structured, dialogue-based format like Study Mode, which emphasizes reasoning and concept development rather than quick answers.

Ways to use Study Mode - Samples from Students of ChatGPT Lab (Source)

Why This Matters for India?

India has over 260 million students in the school-age population. Many of them attend schools where teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and limited resources affect the quality of instruction. In rural areas, where internet access is less reliable and educational content in regional languages is limited, the gap becomes even more significant.

Study Mode addresses several of these challenges at once. By offering support in eleven Indian languages, it helps students engage with subjects in the language they are most comfortable with. This approach aligns with India’s National Education Policy 2020, which encourages the use of the mother tongue or regional language as a medium of instruction until at least Grade 8.

Challenges and Considerations

While Study Mode offers a focused and accessible way to support learning, it is not without limitations. Several important factors need to be considered when evaluating how effective it will be in practice:

• Voluntary Usage: Study Mode is optional. Students can turn it off and use the regular ChatGPT interface, which provides direct answers. Without guidance or motivation, they may skip the learning process and return to quick solutions.

• No Official Curriculum Alignment: The tool does not follow any specific education board in India. Although students can select subjects and class levels, the content is not formally mapped to CBSE, ICSE, or state board standards.

• Risk of Overreliance: If students depend too heavily on AI without teacher involvement, they may reduce their own efforts to solve problems. This can limit the development of core skills like critical thinking and self-assessment.

• Lack of Classroom Integration: Study Mode is a standalone feature. It is not yet connected to school systems, classroom activities, or homework tools. This limits its potential to support structured learning environments.

• Need for Ongoing Feedback: OpenAI has consulted with educators, but consistent feedback from Indian teachers, students, and school systems will be necessary. Real-world use will help improve content quality and language accuracy.

The Road Ahead

As Study Mode begins to reach students across India, there are several areas where it could evolve further. One of the most critical improvements would be aligning content with regional curricula. Adding structured support for state board syllabi would help the tool fit more closely with school requirements and local assessment patterns. 

Accessibility is another key area. In many rural or low-income regions, internet connectivity remains a barrier. Providing an offline or low-bandwidth version of Study Mode could make it usable in schools and homes where digital access is limited.

OpenAI has also announced a partnership with the IndiaAI Mission to launch OpenAI Academy India, which may integrate Study Mode into larger government-led education programs. Collaboration with public platforms such as SWAYAM and IndiaAI FutureSkills could extend reach and adoption across the formal learning ecosystem.

Future updates may also include voice-based interaction in Indian languages, which would benefit younger learners and students with reading difficulties. To support responsible growth, OpenAI is working with researchers from Stanford and Indian institutions to study long-term learning outcomes. 

Source: OpenAI