ChatGPT most-used AI platform to find info in India; 31 pc willing to switch to DeepSeek: Survey
New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI): About half of Indian internet users surveyed said they are already using AI platforms, with OpenAI's ChatGPT leading the segment, an online survey said on Tuesday.
Google and other search engines are preferred mode for 40 per cent of respondents over AI platforms for finding information, online survey firm LocalCircles said.
The survey conducted between August 11, 2024, amd February 1, 2025, claims to have received over 92,000 responses from citizens located in 309 districts of India while the number of responses for each question varied.
In response to question on which AI platform is mostly used for finding information, 28 per cent of the 15,377 respondents said they use ChatGPT, 9 per cent Perplexity, 6 per cent Co-Pilot directly or via Bing, 3 per cent each uses "Gemini via Google" and Llama, while 6 per cent indicated "an AI platform not listed in the survey.
"To sum up, 1 in 2 Indian internet users are already using AI platforms, with ChatGPT being most widely used among those surveyed," LocalCircles said.
The survey found that 90 per cent Indian AI users surveyed use AI platforms primarily in text mode while 10 per cent use them in voice mode.
When asked about the new platform DeepSeek developed in China is provides advanced AI features free to consumers and if they will consider switching to such a platform from the existing ones, 8 per cent out of 15,753 AI platform users stated that they have already switched, 15 per cent stated that "yes, they will switch unless other platforms also offer advanced features free", 8 per cent stated that they will switch regardless and 38 per cent expressed unwillingness to switch.
"3 in 10 Indian users of AI platforms have switched to DeepSeek or will soon do so," the survey said.
The survey found that 3 in 10 Indian users of AI platforms surveyed have a paid or premium subscription.
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Some PG classes to be discontinued: Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor P.L. Dharma
Mangaluru: Mangalore University will discontinue some postgraduate (PG) classes in its constituent colleges from the next academic year, Vice-Chancellor Prof. P.L. Dharma has announced.
Speaking to the media, he stated that due to a shortage of experienced faculty, it has become difficult to continue certain PG classes. As a result, these classes will be discontinued, and students must directly apply to Mangalore University instead of its constituent colleges.
Challenges in managing constituent colleges
The university currently manages four constituent colleges—Sandhya College, Mangalagangotri, Bannadka, and Nelyadi. However, maintaining these colleges has become challenging due to a shortage of permanent lecturers. While guest lecturers have been handling classes efficiently, the need for experienced senior faculty remains. The university has requested the government to convert these constituent colleges into government colleges.
Plan to utilise unused international hostel building
The university is considering using the unused international hostel building within its campus through public-private partnerships. With several private medical and engineering colleges in the city, discussions are underway to explore the possibility of allocating the building for their use after obtaining government approval.
Pending contractor payments
The university owes approximately ₹40 crore to contractors for various construction projects, including the hostel building. Due to financial constraints, payments will be made in phases, the vice-chancellor said.
Dispute over panchayat tax
Responding to a query about unpaid taxes to the local gram panchayat, Prof. Dharma stated that the Vishwamangala Trust, located within the university campus, has also been taxed. Since the trust operates independently of the university, discussions are ongoing with panchayat officials to exempt the international hostel and another unused building from taxation. Once a resolution is reached, pending taxes will be paid in installments.
Mangalore University secures 13 patents
The university has obtained 13 patents and aims to enhance its focus on continuous education, examinations, and research, the vice-chancellor added.
