OpenAI API Local Processing in India: GPT-6 Luna Rules

OpenAI API local processing in India is now live, so eligible businesses can run supported GPT-6 Luna requests on servers in the country, but OpenAI’s documentation limits it to organisations with active Zero Data Retention.

OpenAI API local processing in India: what is covered

Announced on 12 November 2026, it covers the direct API, not ChatGPT.
Model: GPT-6 Luna only at launch, through the Responses and Chat Completions APIs, with text and image input and text output.
Setup: create a new API project, select India for both data storage and processing, and use the India regional endpoint.
Billing mode: Standard pay-as-you-go only. OpenAI’s documentation says other processing modes are not supported there.
India joins Australia and Japan, where the same GPT-6 Luna regional processing is offered.

Limits to check before you build

Zero Data Retention is required, and OpenAI approves it case by case, so a new customer cannot switch it on alone.
OpenAI-hosted tools are unavailable for regional processing in India.
DQ India reports that billing details, usage statistics and some metadata may still be processed or stored outside the selected region; confirm this with OpenAI before relying on it for compliance.
No India price is stated. Check the API pricing page for GPT-6 Luna.

What this means for you

Banks, insurers and other regulated firms that held back from OpenAI over data localisation now have an in-country option for one model. It is narrower than the headline suggests, so read the Zero Data Retention and hosted-tools limits first. Teams on other OpenAI models still process outside India.