In a move that’s set to expand AI accessibility, OpenAI has announced that its premium ChatGPT Plus subscription will be available for free to a select group of users for a limited time. Normally priced at $20 per month (approx. ₹1,700), this subscription unlocks advanced features such as enhanced model access, unlimited messaging, and file uploads.
Let’s break down what this offer includes, who’s eligible, and what makes ChatGPT Plus a significant upgrade from the free version.
What is ChatGPT Plus?
ChatGPT Plus is OpenAI’s premium-tier subscription plan designed to give users enhanced access to the latest AI capabilities, including newer and more powerful models, priority access, and early previews of experimental features. With this plan, users go beyond the basic GPT-3.5 model to utilize GPT-4.5 previews, o1, o3-mini, and o3-mini-high, which offer improved performance in reasoning, creativity, and complex problem-solving.
Free ChatGPT Plus Access for Select Users
Who’s Eligible?
According to OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, students in the United States and Canada are among the first to receive two months of free ChatGPT Plus access. This promotional campaign, announced via X (formerly Twitter), is aimed at encouraging academic use of AI tools in learning, research, and productivity.
To qualify, students need to verify their academic status using SheerID, a secure verification platform that validates student credentials.
How Long Will the Free Access Last?
- Duration: The free subscription will be available until the end of May 2025.
- Verification Deadline: Students must complete their verification process before the end of the promotional period.
- Existing Subscribers: Students who are already paying for ChatGPT Plus can also claim the benefit and enjoy two free months of the service.
Key Features of ChatGPT Plus
Access to Advanced Models
Unlike the free tier that offers limited access to GPT-4o mini and GPT-3.5, ChatGPT Plus subscribers can use:
- GPT-4.5 (Preview)
- o1 model
- o3-mini
- o3-mini-high
These models offer deeper reasoning, more accurate answers, and significantly better contextual understanding.
Enhanced Reasoning and Research
The Plus plan includes deep research features, making it ideal for academic users, developers, and researchers. These include multi-step reasoning, document summarization, and advanced prompt handling.
Unlimited File Uploads
Free-tier users face file upload restrictions, but ChatGPT Plus users enjoy unlimited uploads, which is useful for data analysis, coding projects, and collaborative documents.
Image Creation & Ghibli-Style Art
The subscription also unlocks image generation, including support for Ghibli-style AI art, a viral feature that significantly boosted ChatGPT’s usage in recent months. These whimsical animations are inspired by Studio Ghibli’s iconic art style and have become a huge hit among creative users.
Sora Video Generation (Limited Access)
ChatGPT Plus also includes limited access to OpenAI’s Sora video generation, allowing users to create short, AI-generated videos — a feature still in early testing phases.
Advanced Voice Mode & Screensharing
Voice interactions are enhanced with the Plus plan. Users can:
- Engage in voice chats with AI
- Use screensharing features
- Collaborate with AI in real-time
These tools are perfect for virtual learning, presentations, and customer service training.
How Students Can Claim Free ChatGPT Plus
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Visit the OpenAI support website or ChatGPT app.
- Click on the promotional banner for ChatGPT Plus for Students.
- Verify your identity through SheerID by uploading academic credentials.
- If successful, two months of ChatGPT Plus will be activated.
- Already a subscriber? The two months will be credited to your existing account.
The Ghibli Effect and Record Usage Surge
The launch of Ghibli-style image creation in ChatGPT’s free tier sparked a massive surge in usage. This unique feature, which lets users generate fantasy-like animated scenes, made the AI chatbot a favorite among artists and social media users.
This viral adoption has contributed to record-high engagement levels for OpenAI, prompting the company to explore offering more advanced features to non-paying users in the future.
OpenAI’s Continued Push for AI Accessibility
OpenAI’s move to offer free ChatGPT Plus access isn’t just about promotion — it’s a signal that the company wants to make cutting-edge AI tools more accessible. With educational users being the first to benefit, we may see similar rollouts for teachers, non-profits, or developing markets soon.
The platform has also announced upcoming support for Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol, which will improve contextual memory and performance even further.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. Who is eligible for free ChatGPT Plus access?
A: Currently, students in the U.S. and Canada can claim two months of free ChatGPT Plus access by verifying their status through SheerID.
Q2. How long is the free ChatGPT Plus offer valid?
A: The free subscription is valid until the end of May 2025. Users must verify their student credentials before the deadline to claim it.
Q3. What models are included in ChatGPT Plus?
A: ChatGPT Plus gives access to GPT-4.5 preview, o1, o3-mini, and o3-mini-high, offering better reasoning and more powerful capabilities than GPT-3.5.
Q4. Can current ChatGPT Plus subscribers get the offer?
A: Yes, existing subscribers who qualify can receive two free months of access as a credit to their account.
Q5. What is the Ghibli Effect in ChatGPT?
A: It refers to a popular image generation feature that allows users to create art in the style of Studio Ghibli, contributing to a spike in user engagement.
