Mastercard forex prepaid cardholders get a free digital ISIC or IYTC (normally ₹1,180) by entering the card number as a voucher code on ISIC India's site.
Students and young travellers who hold an India-issued Mastercard forex prepaid card can get a digital International Student Identity Card (ISIC) or International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) for free. ISIC India's Mastercard campaign page says to enter the forex card number as the voucher code at checkout. That gives a 100% discount on the digital card. A plastic card costs ₹218 extra.
ISIC India sells the digital ISIC and IYTC for ₹1,180 each, so the saving is ₹1,180 if you only need the digital card. We read ISIC India's own campaign and card pages for this article.
Quick Verdict
If you are a student going abroad and already carry a Mastercard forex prepaid card, claim the free digital ISIC. It costs nothing and opens student discounts and an accident cover listed by ISIC. Do not switch to a Mastercard forex card only for this. A free ₹1,180 card is small next to the forex rate and load fees you will pay over a year abroad. Note that ISIC India's campaign page states no end date, so claim it soon if you want it.
Item | Detail |
|---|---|
Offer | Free digital ISIC or IYTC |
Who qualifies | Holders of a Mastercard forex prepaid card |
How | Enter the forex card number as the voucher code on ISIC India's site |
Normal price | ₹1,180 for the digital ISIC or IYTC |
Plastic card | ₹218 extra |
End date | Not stated on the campaign page |
ISIC or IYTC: Which One Do You Get?
Card | For | Age (as ISIC India lists it) |
|---|---|---|
ISIC | Students at a high school, college or university | No upper limit for the digital card |
IYTC | Young people who are not eligible for an ISIC | Up to 35 years |
ISIC India lists an accident insurance plan with the card, covering accidents, disability and accidental OPD reimbursement up to ₹1,10,000 in India. Read its terms before relying on it. It also lists student discounts in India and about 100 other countries, and a scholarship tie-up.
How Do You Claim It?
Go to the Mastercard campaign page on ISIC India's website and choose ISIC or IYTC.
Fill in your details and upload a passport-size photo.
Enter your Mastercard forex prepaid card number in the voucher code field to get the 100% discount.
Place the order and upload your documents. ISIC India's FAQ lists PAN and Aadhaar for KYC.
The card number arrives by email, and the digital card is available in ISIC's myValU app.
To use a discount, follow the merchant's verification step in the ISIC listing, then pay with your Mastercard forex card.
What Should You Watch Out For?
No stated end date. ISIC India's campaign page does not say when the offer ends. Offers like this are withdrawn without notice, so claim it while it is listed.
The card number is the voucher. Only enter your forex card number on ISIC India's own website. Never share your CVV or PIN for this.
Visa forex cards have separate deals. HDFC Bank, for example, lists a complimentary virtual ISIC for students on its Visa forex cards. Check your own bank's offers first.
The forex card costs matter more. Compare the card's load fee and exchange rate with a zero forex markup credit card before choosing what to carry. Our zero forex markup credit card guide and forex markup calculator help with that.
Loading an HDFC forex card before 31 December 2026? See our note on the HDFC forex card voucher offer.
FAQs
Is the ISIC card free with a Mastercard forex card?
Yes, the digital ISIC or IYTC is free when you enter your Mastercard forex prepaid card number as the voucher code on ISIC India's site. A plastic card costs ₹218.
How much does an ISIC normally cost in India?
ISIC India lists the digital-only ISIC and IYTC at ₹1,180 each.
Who should take the IYTC instead of the ISIC?
Young people up to 35 who are not eligible for an ISIC, per ISIC India.
Until when can I claim the free card?
ISIC India's campaign page does not state an end date. Check the page before you apply.
Official Sources and Editorial Note
Details are as of 15 November 2026 and can change; check ISIC India's current page before you apply. This article is written from official sources and does not rely on third-party wording.
