Airtel India’s Game-Changing Offer: Free Perplexity Pro for 12 Months!

Unlock ₹17,000 Worth of AI Power with the Airtel Thanks App

Hold onto your smartphones, Airtel users, because Bharti Airtel just dropped a bombshell that’s got India’s tech scene buzzing! As of July 17, 2025, all 360 million Airtel customers—whether you’re on prepaid, postpaid, broadband, or DTH—can score a free 12-month subscription to Perplexity Pro, the AI-powered search and answer engine that’s taking on the likes of ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

Valued at ₹17,000 ($200) annually, this premium AI tool is now yours at zero cost, exclusively through the Airtel Thanks app. From students to professionals, this offer is sparking excitement across the board, but is it as epic as it sounds? Let’s dive into the details and see what the internet’s saying about this groundbreaking deal!

What’s Perplexity Pro, and Why Should You Care?

Perplexity isn’t your average search engine; it’s an AI-powered “answer engine” that delivers real-time, conversational, and deeply researched responses, cutting through the noise of traditional web searches. Founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas and backed by heavyweights like Nvidia and Jeff Bezos, Perplexity is making waves globally, answering over 150 million queries weekly. The Pro version is the real deal, offering:

• Unlimited Pro Searches: Run thousands of searches with access to advanced AI models like GPT-4.1, Claude, and xAI’s Grok 4.
• Deep Research Tools: Perfect for students, professionals, or anyone diving into complex topics.
• File Uploads and Analysis: Upload documents for AI-driven summaries and insights.
• Image Generation: Create visuals to bring your ideas to life.
• Perplexity Labs: A playground for testing and building with AI, including tables, spreadsheets, and web apps.

Whether you’re a student in Rajkot researching for a project, a homemaker in Kanyakumari planning daily tasks, or a busy professional crafting a travel itinerary, Perplexity Pro promises to boost productivity and make life easier. And now, Airtel’s handing it to you for free, no strings attached!

How to Claim Your Free Perplexity Pro Subscription

Grabbing this offer is a breeze, but you’ll need a Perplexity account ready to go. Here’s the step-by-step guide to unlock your free year of AI awesomeness:

• Download the Airtel Thanks App: Available on Android (via Google Play: com.myairtelapp) and iOS.
• Log In: Use your Airtel mobile, broadband, or DTH number to sign in.
• Head to Rewards: Scroll to the “Rewards” or “OTT Benefits” section on the app’s homepage. Look for the Perplexity Pro banner.
• Claim It: Tap “Claim Now,” then “Proceed.” You’ll be redirected to Perplexity’s website.
• Sign In or Sign Up: Log in with your Google ID, Apple ID, or existing Perplexity account. If you don’t have one, create an account on the spot.
• Activate and Enjoy: Once linked, your 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription should activate automatically. Check your profile in the Perplexity app to confirm.

The offer is live from July 17, 2025, to January 17, 2026, so don’t sleep on it! Existing Perplexity Pro subscribers can also claim it, but if you’re paying via Apple or Google in-app purchases, disable auto-renewal to avoid double-billing. After the free year, your account will revert to Perplexity’s free tier unless you opt for a paid plan.

Why This Partnership Is a Big Deal

This isn’t just another freebie. Airtel’s partnership with Perplexity is India’s first telecom tie-up with a global AI platform, a bold move to bring cutting-edge tech to the masses. Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, called it a “game-changing partnership” that puts “powerful, real-time knowledge tools” at users’ fingertips. Perplexity’s CEO, Aravind Srinivas, echoed the hype, saying it’s about making “accurate, trustworthy, and professional-grade AI accessible” to everyone, students, professionals, homemakers, you name it.

Unlike Airtel’s usual OTT perks (think Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+ bundled with plans), Perplexity Pro shifts the focus from entertainment to productivity. It’s a nod to India’s growing appetite for AI tools, with the country already among Perplexity’s top four markets for daily traffic and top ten for revenue. This move could set a new standard for telecom rewards, especially as rivals like Google offer free Gemini AI Pro subscriptions to Indian students.

What’s Included in Airtel’s Other OTT Benefits?

Airtel’s no stranger to sweetening the deal for its customers. Through the Airtel Thanks app, eligible users (especially on postpaid, broadband, or select prepaid plans like ₹489 or ₹649) can access a slew of OTT and digital perks under the “Rewards and OTT” section. These include:

• Amazon Prime: Free subscriptions with select postpaid and broadband plans.
• Disney+ Hotstar: Bundled with premium plans for streaming movies, shows, and live sports.
• Apple TV+: Included in some postpaid and broadband bundles at no extra cost.
• Google One: A 6-month free cloud storage subscription, with an option to add to your bill at ₹125/month post-trial (cancel anytime).

The Perplexity Pro offer stands out as a productivity powerhouse, joining Airtel’s entertainment-heavy lineup. Unlike Apple TV+ (a default inclusion in some plans), Perplexity requires a one-time claim via the app and is available to all active Airtel users; no specific plan is required.

Public Reaction: Hype, Confusion, and a Whole Lot of Excitement

The internet’s buzzing with reactions to Airtel’s Perplexity Pro offer, and it’s a wild mix of hype and head-scratching. On social media, users are calling it a “loot deal,” with posts raving about the ₹17,000 value for zero cost. One Reddit user gushed, “Just claimed it on my ₹649 prepaid plan, Perplexity Pro is a game-changer for research!” Another said, “This is huge for students like me. GPT-4.1 and Claude for free? Sign me up!” The offer’s availability across prepaid, postpaid, and Wi-Fi plans has sparked joy, with some users noting they claimed it even on expired plans.

But not everyone’s on board yet. Some Redditors reported issues syncing the offer with their Perplexity accounts, with one saying, “Got the SMS, but it’s not reflecting in my app. What’s the deal?” Others are confused about what Perplexity Pro does, with a user asking, “Is this just another ChatGPT, or is it worth the hype?” There’s also chatter about the lack of auto-renewal clarity, with one user hoping, “Better not sneak-charge me after a year!” Airtel has confirmed that the subscription reverts to free post-12 months, but users are advised to double-check settings.

The Catch? Not Much, but Here’s What to Know

This offer is as close to a free lunch as it gets, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Eligibility: Open to all 360 million Airtel mobile, broadband, and DTH users, but the rollout is staggered, so the banner might not show up immediately.
• Deadline: Claim by January 17, 2026, or miss out.
• Existing Subscribers: If you’re already a Perplexity Pro user via Apple or Google, cancel auto-renewal to avoid overlap billing.
• Post-Offer: No auto-renewal worries—your account switches to the free version after 12 months unless you upgrade.

Some users on Reddit noted the offer’s absence on certain plans or regions, suggesting Airtel might be tweaking eligibility behind the scenes. If you don’t see it, try updating the app or checking back later.