Perplexity AI is opening the doors wide for Indian users. The company’s much-anticipated Comet browser, built around artificial intelligence (AI), which has been on a waitlist since its global launch earlier this year, will be available for its Pro subscribers in India starting September 22.
The update was confirmed by CEO Aravind Srinivas on X earlier this week, and early adopters have already spotted the Windows and Mac versions, which can be readily downloaded from its official website on both Mac and Windows PC. Android users can already pre-register on the Google Play Store, while an iOS release is expected soon.
Free For Airtel Users
Perplexity Pro is the company’s premium AI chatbot plan and comes with a major boost in the form of a partnership with Airtel. As part of the deal, Airtel broadband, mobile, and DTH subscribers can claim a free year of Perplexity Pro — normally priced at around ?17,000 — between July 17, 2025, and January 17, 2026. This means a massive number of Airtel customers in India can now have instant access to Comet as part of their bundle.
“Comet is now available to all Pro subscribers in India — no waitlist necessary — whether they have subscribed to Perplexity Pro directly or through an Airtel subscription,” Perplexity said in a statement.
Perplexity’s Comet: Key Features
Comet is Perplexity AI’s new web browser built with AI at its core. It acts as a personal assistant and thinking partner. Let’s have a look at its key features:
- Transforms browsing from passive consumption to active, intelligent engagement.
- Offers a unified interface, reducing the need to juggle multiple tabs and apps.
- Can handle entire browsing sessions, streamlining workflows and minimizing distractions.
- Useful for product comparisons, research, and solving complex problems.
- Includes a sidebar assistant that can:
- Summarize web pages
- Answer queries about the page you are viewing
- Perform actions like booking hotels, sending emails, or shopping online
- Pull in context from your browsing history to give a smarter response
- Delivers contextual answers based on what’s currently visible on your screen.
Challenging Google’s Dominance
Launching a new browser in India is no small task. With over 90% of India’s search market dominated by Google, and Safari and Edge fighting for the scraps, Perplexity’s move is a bold one. The company is clearly banking on a new vision of browsing — moving beyond merely displaying search results to actively helping users complete tasks.
By combining AI assistance with traditional browsing, Perplexity aims to define a whole new category altogether. With Airtel’s massive user base, Perplexity could expand fast in one of the world’s biggest internet markets.
What’s Next?
At the moment, Comet is restricted to Pro and Max subscribers, though the company has hinted that a free tier will eventually be available for everyone. If its Airtel partnership is any indication, the browser could reach an even wider audience in India, setting a new standard for intelligent, task-oriented browsing.
