DLT registration for SMS: a step-by-step guide

Every business sending commercial SMS in India must be registered on DLT. Here is what you need, how the process works and how to avoid the most common rejections – and our team helps you with every step.

What is DLT and why is it required?

Under TRAI's Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR 2018), operators record every business sender, header, consent and message template on a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform. When you send an SMS, the operator checks it against these records. Messages that do not match are blocked – so a correct DLT setup is the first step to good delivery.

Documents you need

  • Business PAN and GST certificate (or another business registration proof)
  • Authorised signatory's ID proof and an authorisation letter on company letterhead
  • An official e-mail address and mobile number for OTP verification

Registration in 5 steps

  1. Entity (PE) registration. Register your business as a Principal Entity on any operator's DLT portal (for example Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea or BSNL) and pay the operator's one-time fee. After approval you receive your PE ID (Entity ID).
  2. Header (sender ID) registration. Apply for the name shown on the customer's phone. Transactional and service headers have 6 letters (for example DSFORU); promotional headers are 6 digits.
  3. Consent template (if needed). For service-explicit messages, register the consent text you use to collect the customer's permission.
  4. Content template registration. Register every message format, choose the category – Transactional, Service Implicit, Service Explicit or Promotional – and link it to your header. Use {#var#} for the parts that change.
  5. Telemarketer chain binding. Add your SMS provider's telemarketer (TM) to your delivery chain on the DLT portal. Our team shares the exact details during onboarding.

Template tips that avoid rejections

  • Keep the fixed text exactly as it will be sent – spaces and punctuation included.
  • Each {#var#} can hold up to 30 characters; use more variables for longer values.
  • Add your brand name in the text so the customer recognises the sender.
  • Links, phone numbers and app links in a message must be whitelisted on DLT.
  • Do not send promotional content in a transactional template – it is a common reason for blocking.

Template categories at a glance

CategoryUsed forReaches DND?
TransactionalOTPs for banking / paymentsYes, 24×7
Service ImplicitOrder, delivery, account and booking updatesYes, 24×7
Service ExplicitMessages that need the customer's recorded consentWith consent
PromotionalOffers and marketingNo – 10 AM to 9 PM only

FAQ

DLT questions

What is DLT in SMS?

DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) is the blockchain-based registration system TRAI made mandatory for commercial SMS in India. Businesses register their entity, sender IDs (headers), consent and message templates on it, and operators check every SMS against these records.

How long does DLT registration take?

Entity registration usually takes 1–3 working days after the documents are submitted. Headers and templates are normally approved within a few hours to two working days.

Which DLT platform should I choose?

You can register on any operator's DLT platform (for example Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea or BSNL) – a registration on one is shared with all operators.

Why was my SMS blocked even after DLT registration?

Common reasons: the text does not match the approved template, the variable part is too long, the header and template are not linked, the URL in the message is not whitelisted, or the telemarketer chain is not declared.

Do I need a new template for every message?

No. Use variables ({#var#}) for the parts that change – name, amount, date, OTP – and register one template for many messages.

Do you help with DLT registration?

Yes. Our team guides you step by step - entity registration, sender ID (header) and template approval - and checks your templates before you submit them.

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