YouTube has launched its Premium Lite plan in India at Rs 89 per month. The new low-cost subscription offers ad-free viewing on most videos but excludes features like YouTube Music, downloads, and background play. The rollout is set to reach all users in the coming weeks.
A Cheaper Way to Watch Ad-Free Videos
Google-owned YouTube has launched its Premium Lite subscription in India. The new plan costs Rs 89 per month and gives users ad-free viewing on most videos. It works across devices, including smartphones, laptops, and smart TVs.
While the service removes ads from videos in categories like gaming, comedy, cooking, beauty, and learning, ads may still appear on music content, Shorts, and during browsing or searching. Unlike the full Premium plan, Premium Lite does not include YouTube Music, offline downloads, or background play.
The rollout is currently underway and will be available across the country in the coming weeks, YouTube said in a blog post.
How Premium Lite Compares to YouTube Premium
The standard YouTube Premium plan in India is priced at Rs 149 per month, while the student plan is Rs 89, the family plan Rs 299, and the two-person plan Rs 219. The yearly subscription costs Rs 1,490. Premium includes YouTube Music, ad-free playback across all videos, background play, and offline downloads.
In comparison, Premium Lite is more affordable but limited. It is designed for users who mainly want to watch ad-free videos without extra features like music streaming or offline access.
The launch highlights YouTube’s effort to provide flexible options to suit different viewers’ budgets and preferences.
| Feature | YouTube Premium Lite | YouTube Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Price (India) | INR 89/month | INR 49/month (Individual) INR 219/month (Two-person) INR 299/month (Family) INR 1,490/year |
| Ad-free Videos | Yes, for most videos (except Shorts & some music content) | Yes, for all videos |
| YouTube Music | Not included | Included |
| Background Play | Not available | Available |
| Downloads (Offline Viewing) | Not available | Available |
| Supported Devices | Mobile, Laptop, TV | Mobile, Laptop, TV |
| Target Users | Budget-friendly users who want ad-free viewing only | Power users & families who want complete features |
Why YouTube Launched Premium Lite
YouTube first introduced Premium Lite as a pilot in March 2025 in select markets, including the US, where it was priced at $7.99 (around Rs 709) per month. Bringing the plan to India shows the company’s intent to expand its subscriber base in one of its largest and fastest-growing markets.
Subscriptions have become a key growth driver for YouTube. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in April that Alphabet now has over 270 million paid subscriptions across services like YouTube and Google One. YouTube alone has more than 125 million global subscribers for Music and Premium.
India is an important market for YouTube, with millions of daily users watching videos across entertainment, education, and lifestyle categories. Offering a low-cost option like Premium Lite could help convert more users into paying subscribers.
The Bigger Picture
YouTube continues to experiment with new subscription models. Recently, it tested a two-person Premium plan in India at Rs 219 per month. Music Premium plans start at Rs 59 for students and Rs 119 for individuals.
The company also raised prices for all plans in India in August 2024, by 12% to 58%, making Premium Lite a timely and attractive alternative for cost-conscious users.
As YouTube expands Premium Lite in India, it reflects a broader strategy: giving users affordable, flexible choices while boosting long-term subscription revenue.
Adepu Bindu
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