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"Understanding client perception and maintaining a strong market orientation are essential to delivering high-quality products and services. We are absolutely committed and dedicated to meeting the needs of students, as well as our key partners on the Indian market," said Matthew East, the CEO and Founder of the GTS Alive Group, the exclusive issuer of ISIC student cards in India and 15 other countries worldwide. In the fall of 2024, representatives from our local branch in India, alongside customer experience experts from the GTS Alive Group, conducted the qualitative phase of our research. This included focus groups, in-depth interviews and user testing with dozens of students from institutions like Gurugram University and KIIT World School, as well as discussions with representatives from educational institutions and commercial partners.
The quantitative phase followed in early 2025 in collaboration with the innovative research agency Behavio. This survey, conducted on a representative sample of 500 Indian students aged 16–26, provided crucial insights into the student experience and expectations.
Key Insights into Indian Student Life
The first part of the qualitative study focused on gaining a deeper understanding of student life, particularly in terms of finances, study plans, and student ID usage. The findings reveal significant variations in students' personal budgets. While 29% of students have less than 500 INR per month for personal expenses, 41% manage between 500 and 3,000 INR, and 29% have a monthly budget exceeding 3,000 INR.
When it comes to spending habits, students allocate their budgets strategically: 30% is typically spent on food, beverages, and dining out, while 29% goes toward education-related expenses, such as textbooks and courses. The remaining portion covers savings and investments, clothing and accessories, entertainment, electronics, social activities, and travel.
Over half of the students plan to study abroad in the future, and this ambition is even higher (65%) among those with a monthly budget exceeding 2,000 INR. Aspirations for international education are therefore linked to financial resources. However, around one-third of students remain undecided.
Additionally, 85% of students already possess some form of student ID, with the majority preferring a physical card.
Perception of the ISIC Student Card and Its Benefits Among Indian Students
The second part of the study focused on the perception of the ISIC student card and its benefits among students in India. An impressive 91% of students have a positive view of the ISIC card, with 59% expressing strong interest in obtaining one. The most valued benefits include the savings it offers on living expenses and access to numerous discounts.
The feedback from students participating in the research was overwhelmingly positive. One respondent shared, “It feels like an all-in-one, and I don’t need to carry multiple cards around. Plus, I don’t have the fear of missing out on anything.” Another student described the ISIC card as “a pretty cool thing. It's like a passport for students, but instead of letting us travel between countries, it lets us get awesome discounts on all sorts of stuff.” A third participant simply exclaimed, “an insane amount of features!”
Students identified several features as particularly important. 81% of students consider the recognition of the student ID in India essential, while 69% value its international recognition. 79% of students find access to educational, skills development, or career-oriented discounts within India crucial. Additionally, 65% of students consider accidental insurance coverage as an important benefit.
Moreover, 71% of students view the availability of the student ID in a mobile app as an important feature. Discounts in other categories, such as food and beverages or electronics, also attracted significant interest, further showcasing the broad appeal of the ISIC card and its benefits.
“As we continue to expand our presence and offerings in India, the results of this research reinforce our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of students,” said Vaarun Sharma, Head of ISIC India. “The positive feedback we’ve received from students demonstrates the real value the ISIC card provides in supporting their educational journeys and daily lives. We are excited to continue offering a product that empowers students with benefits that support their academic, career, and personal journeys toward a successful life.”
