DLT Template Registration Process: How to Register Consent and Content Templates

Every commercial SMS in India must match a template approved on a DLT portal. Follow these steps to register transactional, service and promotional templates correctly the first time.

TRAI TCCCPR 2018Consent + content templates{#var#} variable rulesFree template registration

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2Template types: consent and content

30Max characters per variable

160 / 70Chars per SMS: Text / Unicode

₹0Operator fee for content templates

Quick Answer

DLT template registration is the mandatory TRAI process of registering every commercial SMS format on a telecom operator's DLT portal before sending it. It has two parts: consent templates (opt-in messages) and content templates (OTP, transactional, service or promotional text with {#var#} variables of up to 30 characters each). Operators approve templates free of charge, and SMSGatewayHub maps approved template IDs to your sender IDs.

What are the two parts of DLT template registration?

The template registration process involves two parts.

Consent registration

Collecting the end customer's consent to send future communication about the services they enrol for. It works like an opt-in message and is required for promotional and service explicit communication.

Content registration

The template for the messages you intend to send to your customers – OTP, transactional or marketing, depending on the content. See real examples in our DLT sample templates.

Which template type should I select?

Depending on the content of the message, select the type of template at the time of uploading.

Template type	Use it for	Consent template needed?
Transactional	OTPs that complete a banking transaction initiated by a bank or financial institution	No
Service Implicit	Messages arising from a customer's action or relationship, such as order updates, OTP logins and reminders	No
Service Explicit	Service messages that need the customer's explicit, verifiable consent	Yes – link an approved consent template
Promotional	Offers and marketing messages to non-customers, sent after preference and consent scrubbing	Optional

Unsure between the two service categories? Read service explicit vs service implicit SMS.

How do I upload Transactional / Service Implicit templates?

Log in to the DLT portal
Sign in to your operator's DLT portal with your Principal Entity credentials.
Select the template type
Open the template section and choose Transactional or Service Implicit.
Link sender IDs
Select all the sender IDs (headers) you want to link with this template.
Name and message type
Give each template a unique name for your reference and choose the message type: Text or Unicode.
Add content and variables
Enter the template content and use the "Insert Variable" button to place variables. One variable holds up to 30 characters, so choose the number of variables required.
Save and submit
Save the template to send it for approval to the DLT registrar.

How do I upload Promotional / Service Explicit templates?

Register a consent template
Log in, open the consent template section, provide the details, upload the consent template and save. Wait until the DLT registrar approves it.
Select the template type
In the template section, choose Promotional or Service Explicit.
Link sender IDs and consent
Select all sender IDs to link, then select the approved consent template to link with the message content.
Name and message type
Provide a unique template name and choose Text or Unicode.
Add content and variables
Enter the content and use "Insert Variable" to place variables (1 variable = up to 30 characters).
Save and submit
Save the template to send it for approval to the DLT registrar.

Do I need to include my brand name in the template?

Yes. While creating template content – whether through the copy-paste option or the create-new-message option – it is mandatory to mention the entity's brand name (complete business name, brand name or trademark) in the content field. Ideally a business should only use brand names it is officially registered for.

Sample content: Congratulations! You have received shopping voucher worth Rs. {#var#}. Valid till {#var#}. - <Brand Name>

The detailed procedure differs slightly between operator portals. If you want experts to do it for you, our DLT priority support plans cover entity, header and template registration, and our template approval guidelines blog explains common rejection reasons.

DLT template rules at a glance

Topic	Rule
Template format	No fixed format; may contain fixed text and variable parts depending on category and purpose
Template name	Usually signifies the purpose or subject of the SMS; no character limit currently defined
Text vs Unicode	English messages are TEXT; all other languages are UNICODE
Message length	160 characters per SMS for Text; 70 characters for Unicode
Variables	No limit on number of variables; each variable is 1 to 30 characters
Variable optional?	Yes, templates can be created without variables
Header linking	Only active headers linked to a template can send that template
Editing	Templates can be edited only while in Pending status
Fees	No charges currently for registering content templates
Default template	Not available at present
Content category	Templates can be created in all TRAI 2018 content categories, subject to registrar approval

What happens if a template is not registered or gets blacklisted?

If an enterprise sends commercial communication with an unregistered template, the access provider will not deliver the message and the sender may face legal action for not adhering to TRAI regulations. When delivery fails, the operator error code usually points to a template or header mismatch – our DLT error codes and solutions page lists the fixes, and the blog DLT SMS not delivered walks through troubleshooting.

An operator can blacklist a template if there is a complaint against it. Headers already associated with a blacklisted template remain linked, and whitelisting it again is subject to the operator's approval. Keeping content accurate and consent records clean is the best protection, which is why SMSGatewayHub publishes its compliance practices in the Trust Center.

Useful options on the DLT template screen

Copy paste

Paste content from another source; to convert a fixed word into a variable, select it and click Add Variable.

Create new

Write a new message from scratch to match your specific commercial communication.

Registered with other TSP

Already registered a template with another operator? Enrol the same template through this option instead of re-creating it.

Header association

Link only active, relevant headers; a template sent from an unlinked header will be rejected.

Related Services & Guides

DLT Registration →

DLT Sample Templates →

Actual messages vs required template formats.

DLT Priority Support →

Let our team register templates for you.

DLT Error Codes and Solutions →

Fix template and header failures.

SMS Sender ID →

Header categories and suffix rules.

DLT FAQs →

Blog: answers to common DLT questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DLT template?

A DLT template is a content format registered by an enterprise with a DLT registrar (telecom operator) for sending commercial communication. It may contain only fixed text or a combination of fixed and variable parts approved by the operator.

Why is template registration mandatory?

Template registration is required under TRAI's 2018 regulation to curb spam messages and calls. Operators will not deliver commercial SMS that do not match a registered template, and non-compliance can attract legal action.

How many variables can I use in a DLT template?

There is no limit on the number of variables in a template, but each {#var#} variable can hold between 1 and 30 characters. Variables are optional, so you can also register a template with only fixed text.

Can I edit a template after submitting it?

A template can be edited only while its status is Pending. Once approved or rejected, create a new template with the corrected content and link it to your headers in SMSGatewayHub.

Is there a fee for registering content templates?

No, operators currently charge nothing for registering content templates. Entity registration has an operator fee, and SMSGatewayHub's optional DLT priority support plans are separate service charges.

I registered templates with another operator. Do I need to register again?

No. Use the 'Registered with other TSP' option in the template section to enrol the same templates. SMSGatewayHub can then map those template IDs to your account.

Who can help me with DLT template registration?

SMSGatewayHub's DLT support desk helps Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Contact Mr. Himanshu (DLT spoke) at +91 99778 90004 or DLT.support@stripl.in.

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