On Thursday, Microsoft launched its most highly-anticipated product, Windows 7, across the world. And for once, users in India have gotten a break.

According to Microsoft, the Windows 7 beta program had over eight million people signing up for it, making this the most widely-rested beta product in the company’s history. The different versions of Windows 7 are available in India at the following prices:
Windows 7 Home Basic – Rs. 5,899
Windows 7 Home Premium – Rs. 6,799
Windows 7 Professional – Rs. 11,199
Windows 7 Ultimate – Rs. 11,799

CNET has a great article with a handy chart talking about the differences between the various packages.

The prices are significantly lower than the product is retailing at in the US. So far, the cheapest way to get Windows 7 seems to be in Indonesia, where the Home Basic package costs Rp 9,00,000 (Rs. 4,400 approx).

There is more good news in store for those who bought Windows XP or Windows Vista after June 26, 2009. Microsoft India has a Windows 7 Upgrade Option program for consumers who bought a PC with Windows Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate – from a participating OEM or channel partner, after that date – to receive an upgrade to Windows 7, at no additional cost from Microsoft. The Windows Upgrade Option Program is available to Indian consumers and businesses with less than 25 PCs, through participating OEMs – Acer, Dell, HCL, HP, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba and Wipro – as well as channel partners for assembled PCs. The upgrade to Windows 7 is globally available from June 26, 2009 through January 31, 2010.

Also, contrary to reports of the Windows 7 launch being delayed in India, Mr. G. Ramesh (Director Windows Client Business Group, Microsoft India) told ThinkDigit that all its OEMs have started shipping new machines on Windows 7 beginning Thursday.