YouTube Premium India prices

In a significant pricing update announced on August 28, 2024, Google implemented substantial increases across its YouTube Premium subscription plans in India. The changes, which took effect in September 2024, marked the first major price revision since the service launched in the country in 2019.

The individual plan now costs ₹149 per month, representing a 15.5% increase from the previous rate of ₹129. The student plan increased by 12.7% to ₹89 monthly from its earlier price of ₹79.

The most dramatic change impacts the family plan, which allows up to 5 members from the same household to share a subscription. The Times of India reports this tier saw a 58.2% surge, rising to ₹299 per month from ₹189 previously.

For users seeking longer commitments, the prepaid options also underwent revisions. The quarterly individual prepaid plan increased to ₹459 from ₹399, while the annual prepaid subscription rose to ₹1,490 from ₹1,290.

In communication to existing subscribers, YouTube stated: "We don't make these decisions lightly, and this update will allow us to continue improving Premium and supporting the creators and artists you watch on YouTube."

The pricing modifications extend beyond the core Premium service. YouTube Music Premium, the platform's dedicated music streaming offering, now starts at ₹119 per month for individual plans, increased from the previous ₹99 monthly rate.

Market analysts note these changes align with broader industry trends of streaming services adjusting their pricing structures. The increases reflect both inflationary pressures and the platform's investments in content and features.

Premium subscribers retain access to all existing benefits, including ad-free viewing across devices, background play capabilities, and offline downloads. The service continues to provide access to YouTube Music Premium as part of the subscription.

For existing subscribers, the new rates took effect at their first billing cycle after September 2024. Users were required to accept the revised pricing to maintain their subscriptions. Those who did not accept the new terms saw their subscriptions terminate before the price changes went into effect in October.

A detailed examination of the updated pricing structure reveals:

• Individual Plan (Monthly): ₹149 (Previously ₹129)
• Family Plan (Monthly): ₹299 (Previously ₹189)
• Student Plan (Monthly): ₹89 (Previously ₹79)
• Individual Prepaid Monthly: ₹159 (Previously ₹139)
• Individual Prepaid Quarterly: ₹459 (Previously ₹399)
• Individual Prepaid Annual: ₹1,490 (Previously ₹1,290)

The platform maintains its one-month free trial offer for new Premium subscribers across all plan tiers. This trial period allows users to evaluate the service's features before committing to a paid subscription.

Industry data indicates YouTube Premium's subscriber base in India has grown steadily since its 2019 launch. The service competes in an increasingly crowded streaming market, alongside platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and domestic services.

Looking at regional comparisons, even with these increases, India's YouTube Premium pricing remains lower than in many international markets. For example, the family plan in Canada costs approximately ₹2,158 ($26) per month.

Technical aspects of the Premium service continue unchanged, including support for high-bitrate streaming up to 1080p, background playback functionality, and cross-platform synchronization. The platform's infrastructure allows seamless transitions between devices while maintaining user preferences and playlists.

As streaming services evolve, pricing structures reflect both operational costs and market dynamics. The challenge for platforms lies in balancing revenue requirements with user accessibility, particularly in price-sensitive markets like India.