2. How to get a DLT Template ID on telecom operator portals?

To get a DLT Template ID, log into the DLT portal where your Principal Entity (PE) is registered (such as Jio TrueConnect, Airtel DLT, or Vi Vilpower). Navigate to the 'Content Template' section, click 'Add New Template', select your registered Header (Sender ID), choose the communication category, paste your template text with proper variable syntax ({#var#}), and submit. Once the telecom operator reviews and approves the template, your 19-digit Template ID is generated.

3. Which SMS platform is easiest for registering templates on DLT portals in India?

SMSINDIAHUB provides the smoothest platform experience for managing and syncing DLT templates in India. Once your templates are approved on your telecom operator portal, you can easily bind your 19-digit DLT Template ID into your SMSINDIAHUB dashboard under 'DLT Templates' in just a few clicks, enabling instant automated scrubbing compliance and zero-latency delivery across all Indian networks.

4. What is the character limit for dynamic variables in DLT templates?

According to TRAI guidelines, a single dynamic variable ({#var#}) has a maximum character limit of 30 characters, including spaces. If the value you need to insert (such as long customer names, detailed transaction remarks, or full URLs) exceeds 30 characters, you must place two variables back to back ({#var#}{#var#}) during DLT registration to accommodate up to 60 characters.

5. Can a DLT SMS content template end with a variable?

No. Under TRAI regulations and telecom operator compliance rules, an SMS content template must never conclude with a dynamic variable ({#var#}). Every template must terminate with fixed, approved text such as a company signature, brand name, support phone number, or formal sign-off (e.g., "- Team SMSINDIAHUB").

6. What are the different categories of DLT content templates?

TRAI classifies DLT content templates into four distinct categories: 1) Transactional (reserved exclusively for scheduled commercial banks for OTPs and core financial transactions); 2) Service Implicit (system alerts, order confirmations, login OTPs, account updates); 3) Service Explicit (promotional updates sent to existing opted-in customers); and 4) Promotional (marketing and discount offers sent to non-DND subscribers between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM).

7. Why do telecom operators reject DLT content templates?

Common reasons for DLT template rejection include: 1) Missing brand name in OTP messages; 2) Exceeding 30 characters in a single variable without back-to-back variables; 3) Ending templates with a variable; 4) Dynamic variables exceeding 40% of the total message body; 5) Including promotional discount copy under Service Implicit or Transactional categories; and 6) Using non-whitelisted domain links or shortened URLs.

8. How long does DLT template approval take on operator portals?

Telecom operator DLT desks typically review and approve content templates within 24 to 48 business hours. If you submit templates with compliant variable syntax, clear brand attribution, and matching header categorization, approvals on Jio TrueConnect, Airtel DLT, and Vi Vilpower often complete within a few hours.

9. How do I whitelist URLs and web links in DLT content templates?

Under recent TRAI security directives, all URLs, domain names, short links, and APK download links embedded inside SMS content must be pre-whitelisted on your telecom operator's DLT portal. Enter your exact canonical domain (e.g., https://yourbrand.com) and any dynamic query parameters in the portal's URL whitelisting section prior to template submission.

10. How do I link my approved DLT Template ID to my SMSINDIAHUB account?

After your template is approved on your telecom operator DLT platform, log into the SMSINDIAHUB panel, go to 'DLT Registration' > 'DLT Templates', click '+ Add New Template', select your approved 6-character Sender ID, input the exact approved template title and message text, enter your 19-digit DLT Template ID, and click 'Save'. Your template is immediately mapped for broadcast.

TRAI DLT DIRECTIVE • TEMPLATE SCRUBBING

Complete Guide to DLT Template Registration

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TRAI Regulatory Notice (2026 Mandate): Automated DLT template scrubbing and URL whitelisting are strictly mandatory across all Indian telecom operators. Every commercial message must carry an approved 19-digit DLT Template ID and compliant variable syntax ({#alphanumeric#}) to avoid automated carrier delivery failures.

Template Steps >> DLT Support >>

✓ Step 1: Operator DLT Portals ✓ Step 2: SMSINDIAHUB Binding ✓ 100% TRAI Compliant

Complete Guide to DLT Template Registration | TRAI DLT Guidelines SMSINDIAHUB

Standard Operating Procedure

DLT Template Registration Guide

Please review the detailed procedure to register templates in DLT platforms below, which is in accordance with TRAI directives. After your DLT templates have been accepted in the DLT platforms, please add these templates and their template IDs to your SMSINDIAHUB account (refer all Step 1 to Step 3 for the complete methodology).

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Best Practices for Template Creation (Prevent Traffic Disruption)

Ensure 100% match when operator template cleansing goes live

1. Message content and template ID must exactly match the templates approved in DLT platform:

Exact Content Match

The message content you have added should not have extra or missing spaces, tabs, or new lines compared to the DLT portal.

Template Name & ID

All templates added in SMSINDIAHUB panel must be added with the exact template name and unique DLT Template ID.

Post-Implementation Rule

All templates without/wrong/invalid template ID or content in your account will be rejected. Sending rejected templates causes gateway delivery errors.

You can access all your templates in your account. Please add DLT template IDs, message content, template category, or name for all templates you wish to use.

Dynamic Content Parameters

DLT Variables Specification

Rules for inserting dynamic values such as OTPs, customer names, dates, amounts, and URLs:

📏 RULE 1: Character Limit per Variable

The maximum character limit for a single DLT variable is 30 characters (as mandated by telecom operators) including spaces. If you wish to send more characters in variables, please request 2 DLT variables ({#alphanumeric#}{#alphanumeric#}) back to back on the DLT platform for up to 60 characters.

🔡 RULE 2: Variable Syntax Compatibility

The syntax of variables is identical in operator DLT portals and SMSINDIAHUB template management (##var##). Please use the exact same syntax when adding templates in each platform or simply copy-paste from DLT.

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Note: The DLT portals are maintained and supported independently by respective telecom operators (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL, Videocon). SMSINDIAHUB staff do not have direct access to your operator DLT account and private credentials like template content, template ID, or Entity ID.

Compliance Guidelines

Important : Dos & Don'ts for Content Template Registration

Important guidelines for registering Content Templates on telecom operator portals to prevent rejection:

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Mandatory Dos

● Fixed and Variable Structure: Transactional / Service Templates should have both fixed and variable sections.
● Back-to-Back Variables: If your dynamic variable exceeds 30 characters, use 2 variables back to back ({#var#}{#var#}) for a maximum of 60 characters including spaces.
● Brand Name Mandatory for OTP: Brand Name is mandatory for OTP related messages. In case the Brand & Entity names differ, upload proof establishing the legal relationship between them.
● 6-Digit Numeric Headers for Promotional: Promotional content should be created under 6-digit Numeric Promotional Headers only. Template category is mandatory for Service Explicit & Promotional templates.

Critical Don'ts

● Do not exceed 750 characters limit (including variable & fixed sections) while registering Content Templates.
● Do not use more than 30 characters (including spaces) in a single variable, otherwise the message will not be delivered.
● Variable limit ratio: The total length of variable fields should not be more than 40% of the entire SMS text.
● Never end with variable: The message should not end with a variable. Always conclude with brand signature or text.
● No Promotional Mixing: Promotional content should not be a part of / should not be used with Transaction / Service templates or Headers.

Step 1 of 3

Step 1 – Template Registration Process in the DLT Platforms

DLT registration implemented by TRAI prevents customers from Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC). It will restrict businesses from sending spontaneous spam messages and fraud calls to customers.

STEP 1: Entity/Enterprise

STEP 2: Header Registration

STEP 3: Content Template

Submit message text with variables for operator approval.

STEP 4: Template Approved

Receive unique 19-digit DLT Template ID from the platform.

Know more here >>

Step 2 of 3

Step 2 – Sender ID Registration Process in the SMSINDIAHUB Portal

Follow these steps to map your telecom operator-approved 6-character Sender ID (Header) and Principal Entity ID into your SMSINDIAHUB dashboard before binding templates:

STEP 1

Open DLT Registration Menu

STEP 2

Select 'DLT Sender ID'

Under the DLT Registration sub-menu, select ‘DLT Sender ID’ to open your Header management panel.

STEP 3

Click 'Add New SenderId'

Click the ‘Add New SenderId’ button on the dashboard to open the Sender ID configuration modal.

STEP 4

Enter 6-Alphabet Sender ID

In the ‘SenderId’ field, enter your exact 6-alphabet Header (e.g., brand name) approved on your operator DLT portal.

STEP 5

Select Type & Purpose

Choose Transactional (or Promotional) and specify the purpose in the text area (e.g., OTP, Account Alerts, Verification).

STEP 6

Enter DLT Entity ID & Save

Paste your 19-digit Principal Entity (PE) ID (found on your DLT home page) and click ‘Save’ to complete setup.

Sender ID Configured: Once saved, your Sender ID is immediately mapped to your SMSINDIAHUB messaging profile. You can now proceed to Step 3 below to register and bind your operator-approved Content Templates.

Step 3 of 3

Step 3 – Template Registration Process in the SMSINDIAHUB Portal

Creating templates in the SMSINDIAHUB portal to bind your operator-approved template ID for immediate broadcast:

STEP 1

Log in to SMSINDIAHUB

Access the SMSINDIAHUB portal using your client login credentials.

STEP 2

DLT Templates Tab

Navigate under the DLT Registration menu and click on 'DLT templates'.

STEP 3

Add New Template

Click the 'Add new template' button on the dashboard.

STEP 4

Template Modal Popup

Review the message template modal popup fields and guidelines.

STEP 5

Select Sender ID

Select your approved 6-character sender ID from the dropdown list.

STEP 6

Add Template Name

Enter the exact template title as approved on your DLT portal.

STEP 7

Paste Message Content

Copy the DLT approved content into the 'Message' text box (no space mismatch), replace {#alphanumeric#} with ##var##.

STEP 8

Add DLT Template ID

Paste the 19-digit numerical DLT Template ID generated by the operator.

STEP 9

Save & Confirm

Click ‘Save’ to confirm creation and bind template with your account.

Approval & Go-Live: On approval, the template can be used to send messages from SMSINDIAHUB. You can check the approval status of the template created in SMSINDIAHUB platform under ‘Manage template’.

Template Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions About DLT Templates

Comprehensive answers to common queries regarding DLT template registration, variable formatting, template IDs, and operator approval.

A DLT Template ID is a unique 19-digit numerical identifier assigned to an approved SMS content template by telecom operators upon successful registration on DLT platforms (Airtel, Jio, Vi, BSNL, Tata, Videocon). Under TRAI TCCCPR 2018 regulations, every commercial SMS submitted through an API or web gateway must pass this exact 19-digit Template ID during carrier scrubbing, otherwise messages are rejected.