Bulk SMS DLT Sample Template Guideline

Content template creation guidelines

1. Transactional: Any message that contain OTP and requires to complete a banking transaction initiated by a bank or financial institution will only be considered as transactional messages. This is applicable to all banks (national/scheduled/private/govt or MNCs)

Illustration :

OTP message required for completing a net-banking transaction.
OTP message required for completing credit/debit card transaction at a merchant location.

Examples for templates :

Actual message	Required template format
824926 is the otp for trxn of inr 57.75 at zaak epayment services pv with your sbi card xx3931. otp is valid for 10 mins. pls do not share with anyone 032456 is your OTP for fund transfer for amount Rs.3,000 to Ravi. OTP valid for 8 minutes. Do not share this OTP with anyone.	{#var#} is the otp for trxn of inr {#var#} at {#var#} with your sbi card{#var#}. otp is valid for {#var#}. pls do not share with anyone {#var#} is your OTP for fund transfer for amount {#var#} to {#var#}. OTP valid for 8 minutes. Do not share this OTP with anyone.
428684 is OTP for your eComm Txn for amount Rs.15,000 OTP valid for 8 minutes. Do not share this OTP with anyone.	{#var#} is OTP for your eComm Txn for amount {#var#} OTP valid for 8 minutes. Do not share this OTP with anyone.
369147 is OTP for your premium payment for amount Rs.34,000. OTP valid for 8 minutes. Do not share this OTP with anyone.	{#var#} is OTP for your premium payment for amount {#var#}. OTP valid for 8 minutes. Do not share this OTP with anyone.
852456 is your OTP for BillDesk Payment in NetBanking. OTP is valid for 8 minutes.	{#var#} is your OTP for BillDesk Payment in NetBanking. OTP is valid for 8 minutes.

2. Service Implicit : Any message arising out of customer’s action typically against a transaction/relationship with the enterprise that is not promotional, will be considered as Service-Implicit message.

Illustration :

Confirmation messages of a Net-banking and credit/debit card transactions.
Product purchase confirmation, delivery status etc. from e-comm websites.
Customer making payments through Payment Wallet over E-Commerce website/mobile app and an OTP is sent to complete the transaction.
OTPs required for e-comm website, app logins, social media apps, authentication/verification links, securities trading, demat account operations, KYC, e-wallet registration, etc.
Messages from TSP/ISP.
Periodic balance info, bill generation, bill dispatch, due date reminders, recharge confirmation (DTH, cable, prepaid electricity recharge, etc.)
Delivery notifications, updates and periodic upgrades.
Messages from retail stores related to bill, warranty.
Messages from schools-attendance/transport alerts.
Messages from hospitals/clinics/pharmacies/radiologists/pathologists about registration, appointment, discharge, reports.
Confirmatory messages from app-based services.
Govt/DOT/TRAI mandated messages.
Service updates from car workshops, repair shops, gadgets service centers.
Directory services like Justdial, yellow pages.
Day-end/month-end settlement alerts to securities/demat account holders.

Examples for templates :

Actual message	Required template format
Thank you for using EMI Facility on your IDBI Bank Credit Card 4***3495 EMI request for Rs. 25000.00 executed on 01/07/2019.	Thank you for using EMI Facility on your IDBI Bank Credit Card {#var#} EMI request for {#var#} executed on {#var#}.
YES BANK - Your new bill for BESCOM Bangalore - account 0842948000 for Rs 4339.00 could not get scheduled because auto pay limit is less than the bill amount.	YES BANK - Your new bill for {#var#} - account {#var#} for Rs {#var#} could not get scheduled because auto pay limit is less than the bill amount.
account: 674508 is your samsung account verification code.	account: {#var#} is your samsung account verification code.
transaction alert: 49.0 was used from your flipkart gift card 6000172013334850 for order od117666705985700000 on flipkart.balance remaining in the card: 0.0.if you dont recognise this transaction, please reach out to http://fkrt.it/q0rbconnnn immediately.	transaction alert: {#var#} was used from your {#var#} gift card {#var#} for order {#var#} on flipkart.balance remaining in the card: {#var#}.if you dont recognise this transaction, please reach out to {#var#} immediately.
Kindly note that the free look period for your insurance cancellation is 15 days from date of receipt of insurance policy. Regards, ABC Finance Ltd.	Kindly note that the free look period for your insurance cancellation is {#var#} from date of receipt of insurance policy. Regards, ABC Finance Ltd.
dear k, otp is 2568 for order id #101794788 at dailyorders phone case maker mobile app, kindly enter it to confirm your order. thank you!	dear {#var#}, otp is {#var#} for order id {#var#} at dailyorders phone case maker mobile app, kindly enter it to confirm your order. thank you!

3.Service-Explicit : These are the messages which require explicit consent from customer, that has been verified directly from the recipient in robust and verifiable manner and recorded by consent registrar. Any service message which does not fall under service-implicit category.
Note : Additionally, consent template can be linked while creating a service explicit content template.

Illustration :

Messages to the existing customers recommending or promoting their other products or services.

Examples for templates :

Actual message	Required template format
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#}

4.Promotional : Any message (sent to non-customers) with an intention to promote or sell a product, goods or service. Service content mixed with promotional content is also treated as promotional. These messages will be sent to customers after performing the preferences and consent scrubbing function. Consent overrides preferences.
Note : Additionally, customer consent template can be linked while creating a service explicit content template.

Examples for templates :

Actual message	Required template format
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#}

Content template validations :

2 or more spaces are not supposed to use between 2 words, before word or after word.
All special characters (found on keyboard) are allowed, except < and > symbols.
Variable format is {#var#} which is case sensitive.
Or variable can be inserted by clicking the radio button (insert variable) above text box
Trans/Service category messages should have variable mandatorily.
Promo category can have complete fixed content or with variable part
There is no limitation in no.of variable per message.
Values like amount, date, a/c no, merchant names, OTP, codes, URL, customer names, card type, etc. needs to be replaced with variables.
In case trying to upload same template, portal would show an error as "Template Message already registered (Template Name - ****)"

DOs for Content Templates :

Use promotional category for communications intended to send from numerical sender id only.
Transactional category to be used by banking enterprises only & for OTP messages during fund transfer; online payment; merchant txn only.
Service – explicit category needs to link consent template as well, without which the template gets rejected.
Choose a relevant/recognizable name for templates
Use message type as “TEXT” for all general messages & “Unicode” for regional messages.
Variable {#var#} insertion to be required against values like date; amount; a/c no; OTP; names; etc.
Always use notepad or notepad ++ to create template, to avoid additional spaces and invalid characters
Min fixed char required in templates is 6 char (applicable in pure OTP messages only)
Linking of consent templates for content template categories “promotional” & “service – explicit” is optional (not mandatory)

DON’Ts for Content Templates :

Same content template against multiple headers.
Header selection against irrelevant templates
Selecting “Transactional” category by non-banking enterprises.
No or invalid variable format in templates.
Using double spaces in templates (this can be pre-checked by verifying the template on notepad++ before template submission)
Templates with less than 6 char or variable insertion alone as template using multiple templates (eg: Dear customer {#var#}{#var#}{#var#}.)
Do not use external fonts or characters other than those appear on keyboard.

Consent template creation guidelines

Consent Template : Standard message that is sent to consumers seeking their consent to receive promotional/marketing communication from a particular brand for a given scope.
While creating consent template, following details needs to be filled :

Template Name : Name as per their choice.
Brand Name : Their product/trade name or if they have multiple brand names
Example : Enterprise “ABC Food Works” owns 3 brand portfolios “Pizzahut Pizza; Dunkin’ Donuts & Hatims Kitchen”
Scope of consent : Type of communications they want to send to end users (We would like to send communication regarding all marketing offers and events to our registered customers. {opt-out procedure can also be given}). It should not contain any actual message contents.
Examples : 1. Would Like to Send Communication Regarding All Marketing Offers and Events to Our Registered Customers.
2. “ABC Solutions” needs Your Consent in Order to Serve You Better. We May Send You Messages About Your Account Information, Activity and Our Best Offers.
3. We will send you updates, transactions, recommendations of our services or products being a registered customer with us.

With above details filled, enterprise can submit the template for approval. There is no limitation for enterprise on creation of no. of consent templates. Post approval by the registrar, enterprise can link these consent template to their content templates in promotional or service explicit category (optional) accordingly (shown in below snapshot).

DOs for consent templates:

Choose short name to a template which is relevant. This helps in choosing right consent template while creating content templates in promotional or service explicit categories.
Brand name should be relevant to details mentioned in scope of content.
Scope of content should be relevant to mentioned brand & intent of the consent to be mentioned.
If entity wants to provide opt-out information, that needs to be provided completely. E.g “To opt-out, send SMS as STOP to 1234567890”

DON’Ts for consent templates :

Not to use generic names for templates like “template1; template2, etc.”
Not to mention invalid or irrelevant names under brand. This will be treated as invalid template.
Not to enter actual message sent to customer, no shot message like “consent; sms to customers; etc.”
No variable to be used in scope of consent, as variable applicable to content templates only.
Multiple consents not required by entity unless it is required by enterprise, like example mentioned explaining brand name field.

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