OpenAI has made its paid ChatGPT Go plan free for users in India for one year, starting Tuesday, November 4. Anyone who signs up during this limited-time offer will get complimentary access to the plan, which is normally subscription-based. ChatGPT Go was launched as an affordable version of ChatGPT, offering enhanced features like higher message limits, image generation, and file uploads. OpenAI said India has quickly become one of its fastest-growing markets and wants to acknowledge the enthusiasm and creativity of Indian users. The company noted that paid subscriptions in India doubled within a month of ChatGPT Go’s launch in August.

According to OpenAI, the decision to offer ChatGPT Go for free coincides with the DevDay Exchange event in Bengaluru, its first event in India. The company described the move as part of its broader strategy to expand in India, where the use of AI tools is rising rapidly across personal and professional sectors.

Previously priced at ₹399 per month, ChatGPT Go includes features such as higher chat limits, more daily image generations, larger file uploads, and longer memory. Under the new offer, these premium benefits, powered by the GPT-5 model, will be free for 12 months to users who sign up from November 4 onward. Existing subscribers will also receive an additional free year of access, though users must register during the promotional period to qualify.

To activate the free plan, users can visit the ChatGPT website or open the app, sign in, go to their account settings, select the ChatGPT Go option, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete activation. India has now become OpenAI’s second-largest market globally, reflecting the country’s growing interest in artificial intelligence. The offer also arrives as other AI companies like Perplexity AI and Google roll out similar free plans for Indian users, intensifying competition in the market.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation between India and Bahrain into new and emerging fields such as space, financial technology, and digital innovation. He also reaffirmed India’s strong backing for the Gaza Peace Plan, calling it essential for achieving a lasting resolution in the region.

During his opening remarks at the 5th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission (HJC) meeting with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, Jaishankar highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two nations, built on deep trade partnerships and close people-to-people connections. “Since our last GCC meeting, we’ve made notable progress in defence, security, trade, health, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Yet, there are newer areas like space, fintech, and technology that offer great potential for our future collaboration,” he said.

Jaishankar noted the steady rise in bilateral trade and investment, inviting Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in India. He said that the signing of a bilateral investment treaty and setting up a joint working group on trade and investment would further enhance economic ties. He also pointed to the growing cooperation in healthcare and the expanding partnership between the space agencies of both countries, along with strong cultural and interpersonal linkages.

Highlighting India’s dedication to regional stability, Jaishankar mentioned the visit of three Indian naval ships to Bahrain in September 2025 and thanked Bahraini authorities for ensuring the welfare of the Indian diaspora. He further spoke about progress in healthcare collaboration, space initiatives, and the recent introduction of India’s e-visa system to encourage Bahraini visitors.

Addressing regional issues, Jaishankar reiterated India’s continued support for the Gaza Peace Plan and underlined the importance of a durable and sustainable peace process. He also congratulated Bahrain on successfully hosting the 21st Manama Dialogue and extended good wishes for its upcoming presidency of the GCC Summit, expressing optimism for deepening India-GCC relations. Before the meeting, Jaishankar welcomed Minister Alzayani to New Delhi, noting on X that he looked forward to “productive discussions” during the 5th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a significant step toward advancing defence indigenisation by transferring 12 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LATOTs) covering eight cutting-edge products to industry partners. These agreements were formally handed over during the opening session of SAMANVAY 2025, a two-day industry synergy meet organized by DRDO’s Electronics and Communication Systems (ECS) Cluster in Bengaluru. The event drew participation from over 150 representatives, including start-ups, MSMEs, and leading defence manufacturers. Senior DRDO officials highlighted the government’s focus on enhancing the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and encouraged industry collaboration to expand domestic production for both defence and export needs.

The transferred technologies include advanced systems related to radar components, electronic warfare subsystems, communication modules, and power management systems, all developed by DRDO’s premier ECS laboratories. Each has been verified for production readiness, allowing for swift adoption by both private and public sector partners.

Emphasising the value of collaboration, DRDO noted that industry partnerships are vital for transforming laboratory innovations into deployable defence solutions. The LATOT initiative aims to build self-reliant supply chains, create high-tech employment opportunities, and reduce dependence on imports for critical subsystems.

At SAMANVAY 2025, DRDO leaders reaffirmed the vision of “Make in India, Make for the World” as the driving force behind India’s defence sector. The event served as an interactive platform connecting research institutions and industry to explore co-development opportunities in next-generation communication, electronic warfare, and sensor technologies.

The synergy meet reinforced DRDO’s commitment to strengthening its Technology Transfer (ToT) framework, fostering innovative collaborations, and accelerating the production cycle for indigenous systems. Through these LATOTs, DRDO aims to empower the domestic defence industry, ensure technological superiority for the armed forces, and drive long-term growth of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

SandboxAQ, a U.S.-based company specializing in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, has signed a deal with Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund to accelerate drug development and build biotech assets valued at $1 billion. Announced during Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, the partnership will allow Bahrain’s Mumtalakat to access SandboxAQ’s advanced quantitative models—which draw on physics, chemistry, and biology—to boost scientific research and drug discovery efforts.

According to a joint statement, the agreement aims to strengthen Bahrain’s role as a regional biotechnology center, with a three-year program guided by a joint research committee focused on developing innovative medicines. CEO Jack Hidary told Reuters that the collaboration will enable Bahrain to generate its own biotechnology intellectual property, including treatments for conditions widespread in the region like diabetes and certain genetic diseases.

Hidary noted that biotech IP is typically concentrated within a few nations, and this initiative gives Bahrain the opportunity to prioritize both regional and global health needs. The deal will leverage Bahrain’s digital health records and medical infrastructure to support therapy development, with clinical trials planned to begin in Bahrain and possibly expand to other locations. He also mentioned growing interest from other countries, including in the Gulf, for similar collaborations. Saudi Arabia’s Aramco partnered with SandboxAQ to apply its models for enhancing the value of downstream products.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company, is reportedly gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value it at as much as US$1 trillion, potentially ranking among the largest in history. The firm is expected to file with regulators by the second half of 2026, with a possible market debut in 2027. Hairianto Diman and Syahida Othman explore whether this trillion-dollar valuation is rooted in real fundamentals or driven by the growing hype surrounding AI’s future, alongside insights from Kyle Rodda, Senior Financial Market Analyst at Capital.com.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated and widespread, it is essential for businesses, government agencies, and individuals to stay informed about the latest trends, tactics, and strategies used by threat actors. Hairianto Diman and Syahida Othman explore how the private sector and government can enhance collaboration in cybersecurity with insights from Emil Tan, Director and Co-Founder of SINCON.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Recent revelations from current and former Meta employees claim that the company has concealed internal research highlighting significant risks to children on its virtual reality (VR) platforms. Meta rejects these claims, stating that it has conducted research on youth safety, implemented parental controls, set default privacy protections for teenagers, and that its legal actions were intended to ensure compliance with privacy regulations rather than to hide issues. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the difficulties of addressing crimes in the VR environment with Nasya Bahfen, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics, Media, and Philosophy at La Trobe University.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

LinkedIn is now requiring leaders, recruiters, and premium company members to verify their accounts, aiming to strengthen authenticity in professional interactions. But how exactly will this be implemented—and will it truly deliver on its promise? Andrea Heng sits down with Trisha Suresh, LinkedIn’s Head of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, to find out.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.