Free ISRC & UPC Codes for Independent Artists in India 2026 — Everything You Need to Know

Before your song can go live on Spotify, JioSaavn, or Apple Music, it needs two things: an ISRC code and a UPC barcode. Here is what they are, why you need them, and how to get both completely free in India.

What is an ISRC Code?

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It is a unique 12-character alphanumeric code that identifies a specific sound recording or music video globally.

Think of it as a fingerprint for your song. No two songs have the same ISRC, and the same ISRC follows your song across every platform it appears on — Spotify, JioSaavn, Apple Music, Gaana, YouTube Music, and all others.

An ISRC code looks like this: IN-WB1-26-00001

• IN — Country code (India)
• WB1 — Registrant code (assigned to the distributor or label)
• 26 — Year of registration
• 00001 — Unique designation number

What is a UPC Code?

UPC stands for Universal Product Code. In music, it is a barcode (also called EAN-13 in some regions) assigned to an entire release — a single, EP, or album — as a product.

While ISRC identifies each track individually, UPC identifies the release as a whole. If you release a 10-track album, you will have one UPC for the album and 10 separate ISRC codes — one per track.

Why Do You Need ISRC and UPC Codes?

• Royalty tracking: Streaming platforms use ISRC codes to track exactly how many times your song is played and calculate your royalties accurately. Without an ISRC, streams may not be attributed to you correctly.
• Platform acceptance: JioSaavn, Spotify, Apple Music, and all major platforms require ISRC codes before accepting a song for distribution. No ISRC = no distribution.
• Content ID: YouTube uses ISRC codes to match your song when others upload it, enabling you to monetise covers and UGC (user-generated content) through YouTube Content ID.
• Publishing royalties: Collection societies like PPL India and IPRS use ISRC codes to track public performance royalties — radio plays, hotel use, restaurant use, etc.
• Permanent record: An ISRC code is yours permanently. Even if you move to a different distributor, the ISRC assigned to your recording stays with that recording forever.

How to Get a Free ISRC Code in India

There are two ways to get an ISRC code in India:

Option 1 — Through your distributor (easiest and free): When you distribute through Western Beats, free ISRC codes are assigned to every track automatically. You do not need to register anywhere or pay any fee. Western Beats handles it as part of the distribution process.

Option 2 — Register directly with IFPI India: As a label or registered entity, you can apply to IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) for your own ISRC registrant code. This costs money and requires company registration. It makes sense only if you are running a label distributing many artists.

For independent artists, Option 1 — getting free ISRC codes through Western Beats — is the correct and simplest path.

Do ISRC Codes Expire?

No. ISRC codes are permanent. Once assigned to a recording, they stay with that recording forever — across all platforms, all distributors, and all territories. Even if you change distributor or label years later, the ISRC code for that recording remains the same.

Can I Use One ISRC Code on Multiple Platforms?

Yes — and you must. The same ISRC code should be used on every platform where your song appears. Using different ISRC codes for the same song across platforms breaks royalty tracking and can lead to missed royalty payments.

Frequently Asked Questions