Bulk SMS DLT Sample Template Guideline in India
A template refers to a Content Template registered by an entity to the DLT operator. These templates are used for sending communication, including multiple variables that need approval by the provider and registration on the DLT platform.
What is a DLT Content Template?
Definition: A DLT Content Template is a standardized message format containing static text and dynamic variables (`{#var#}`) that must be pre-approved on the Distributed Ledger Technology (Blockchain) platform before routing.
Answer: It prevents spam. Telecom operators scrub every outgoing SMS against these approved templates. If your message does not strictly match the registered template format, it will be blocked.
Benefit: Utilizing proper DLT variables ensures your Transactional SMS and OTPs are delivered instantly with 100% compliance through the SMSINDIAHUB Gateway.
Types of DLT Content Templates
Discover the four primary categories of DLT templates designed to regulate and secure commercial SMS communication across India seamlessly.
Transactional
Used purely for essential banking transaction-related SMS and banking OTPs ensuring absolute security and time-sensitive reliability.
Service Implicit
Messages arising from a customer’s action/transaction that are not promotional. Includes e-commerce OTPs, delivery statuses, and billing reminders.
Service Explicit
Service messages requiring explicit, verified consent from existing customers to recommend or promote other internal products or services.
Promotional
Intended for marketing or selling goods/services to non-customers. Sent only after preference scrubbing via numerical sender IDs.
DLT Template Format Examples
Review exact format examples for Transactional, Implicit, Explicit, and Promotional templates to ensure quick and error-free DLT approval.
🏦 Transactional DLT Templates
Used for sending transaction-related SMS, such as account alerts or order confirmations. Any SMS that includes an OTP and is necessary to complete a banking transaction initiated by a bank client falls under this category.
| Actual Message Example | Required Template Format for DLT |
|---|---|
| 123456 is the otp for Transaction of Rs 101.00 at ABC epayment services with your ABI Card xx3931. otp is valid for 10 mins. pls do not share with anyone | {#var#} is the otp for Transaction of Rs {#var#} at ABC epayment services with your ABI Card xx3931. otp is valid for 10 mins. pls do not share with anyone |
| 789012 is your OTP for fund transfer for Rs. 1001 to Ganesh. OTP valid for 10 minutes. Do not share this OTP with anyone | {#var#} is your OTP for fund transfer for Rs. {#var#} to {#var#}. OTP valid for 10 minutes. Do not share this OTP with anyone |
🔔 Service Implicit Templates
Any SMS arising out of a customer’s action against a transaction/relationship with the enterprise that is not promotional. Examples: E-comm OTPs, delivery statuses, hospital alerts, bill generation, and govt mandated messages.
| Actual Message Example | Required Template Format for DLT |
|---|---|
| Thank you for using EMI Facility on your ABD Bank Credit Card 4***3495 EMI request for Rs. 25000.00 executed on 01/07/2019 |
Thank you for using EMI Facility on your ABD Bank Credit Card {#var#} EMI request for {#var#} executed on {#var#} |
| account: 123456 is your SlipKart account verification code. | account: {#var#} is your SlipKart account verification code. |
🤝 Service Explicit Templates
Messages recommending or promoting other products to existing customers. Requires explicit consent recorded by a consent registrar.
| Actual Message Example | Required Template Format for DLT |
|---|---|
| Your Rs.500 exclusive voucher is UNUSED!! Redeem it on purchase of Rs.1,000 at Marks & Spencer. Use code 654321001 Valid till 31st Mar 2021! T&C. | Your Rs.{#var#} exclusive voucher is UNUSED!! Redeem it on purchase of Rs.{#var#} at Marks & Spencer. Use code {#var#} Valid till {#var#}! T&C. |
| Bajaj Finserv Personal Loan needs Minimal Documentation. Fulfil your financial needs in one click http://m.BajFin.in/Iphr8tFE . | Bajaj Finserv Personal Loan needs Minimal Documentation. Fulfil your financial needs in one click {#var#}. |
| swedish massage 60min(1): 1355.93,aroma massage 60min(1): 1525.42,s.total(2): 2881.35. | swedish massage {#var#},aroma massage {#var#},s.total{#var#} |
| Hi, In order to best serve you and others, could you click on mosl.co/ywq8FBJpAn to share your meeting experience with Motilal Oswal RM Raju Saha on 22. | Hi, In order to best serve you and others, could you click on {#var#} to share your meeting experience with {#var#} |
📢 Promotional Templates
Any SMS sent to non-customers intended for marketing, promoting, or selling products. Sent after performing preference and consent scrubbing. Must be sent via numerical headers.
| Actual Message Example | Required Template Format for DLT |
|---|---|
| Lifetime Free ICICI Bank Credit Card with Vouchers from LensKart, Pepperfry, Grabon worth Rs.3000. SMS "apply" to 5676766 TnC apply. | Lifetime Free ICICI Bank Credit Card with Vouchers from LensKart, Pepperfry, Grabon worth Rs.{#var#}. SMS "{#var#}" to 5676766. TnC apply. |
| Pay JUST Rs 640* pm & get Rs 83,333 for 120 months or payout of Rs 1,00,00,000 With LIC*(Life Insurance Cover) For Your Family. http://px2.in/pAD4Tls | Pay JUST Rs {#var#} pm & get Rs {#var#} for {#var#} months or payout of Rs {#var#} With LIC (Life Insurance Cover) For Your Family. {#var#} |
| YOU can win Rs 20,000 in Fantasy cricket use code 542321. Install Qureka Pro app now to WIN Click - https://abc.com | YOU can win Rs {#var#} in Fantasy cricket use code {#var#}. Install Qureka Pro app now to WIN Click - {#var#} |
Template Validations & Best Practices
Follow these strict content template validations, DOs, and DON'Ts to guarantee 100% compliance and avoid instant DLT rejections.
Content Validations
- ● Two or more spaces are not allowed between words.
- ● All special characters are allowed, except < and > symbols.
- ● Variable format is strictly {#var#} (case sensitive).
- ● Trans/Service messages must have at least one {#var#} mandatorily.
- ● Promo category can have fixed content or include variables.
- ● Values like amount, date, a/c no, OTP, and URL must be replaced with variables.
DOs for Templates
- ● Use Promotional category exclusively with numerical sender IDs.
- ● Transactional category is strictly for banking enterprises and financial OTPs.
- ● Choose relevant and recognizable names for your templates.
- ● Use "TEXT" for English & "Unicode" for regional languages.
- ● Always use Notepad/Notepad++ to construct templates to avoid hidden spacing characters.
- ● Minimum fixed characters required in pure OTP templates is 6 chars.
DON'Ts for Templates
- ● Do not map the exact same content template against multiple headers.
- ● Do not select irrelevant headers for templates.
- ● Do not select the “Transactional” category if you are a non-banking enterprise.
- ● Do not leave multiple spaces (double spacing leads to rejection).
- ● Do not create templates with just variables (e.g., Dear {#var#}{#var#}).
- ● Do not use external fonts or emojis not found on a standard keyboard.
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