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SMS Sender ID: DLT Header Categories, Formats and the New Suffix Rules

Send bulk SMS that shows your brand name instead of a random number. Learn which sender ID category fits your messages and how TRAI's new suffixes appear on recipients' phones.

6-character brand headersDLT compliant-P / -S / -T / -G suffixesPay As You Go pricing
Get Your Sender IDDLT Registration Help
6Characters per header
4Header categories
2-6 secTypical delivery
Pay As You GoPay only for delivered SMS

Quick Answer

An SMS sender ID (DLT header) is the name shown as the sender of a business SMS in India, such as a 6-character alphanumeric brand code for service and transactional messages or a 6-digit numeric header for promotions. SMSGatewayHub helps you register headers on DLT, link them to approved templates and send branded bulk SMS on Pay As You Go pricing.

What is an SMS sender ID?

A sender ID, called a header on India's DLT platforms, is the identity that appears at the top of an SMS on the recipient's phone. Instead of a 10-digit number, customers see a short code such as your brand abbreviation, which builds trust and makes your messages instantly recognisable.

Under TRAI's commercial communication rules every header must be registered by the business (the Principal Entity) on an operator DLT portal and linked to approved content templates before it can be used. SMSGatewayHub's DLT registration support helps you choose the right header category, submit it correctly and map it in your account, so your bulk SMS campaigns go out under your own name.

What are the DLT sender ID categories?

Each category has its own format, purpose and restrictions.

CategoryFormatPurposeExample headersRule
Promotional6-digit numeric (auto-assigned by DLT portal)Marketing messages to non-DND numbers562993 – retail brand seasonal offers; 248751 – travel agency flight deals; 495573 – e-commerce flash salesNot customizable; assigned based on business category
Transactional6-character alphanumericOTPs sent by banks onlyHDFCBK – HDFC Bank OTP messages; ICICIB – ICICI Bank OTP alerts; SBIBNK – State Bank of India OTPsOnly banks may use this category for OTPs
Service Implicit6-character alphanumericInformational messages based on an existing customer relationshipAMAZON – delivery updates or order confirmations; ZOMATO – order status or refund alerts; MYNTRA – shipment tracking or return confirmationsNo promotional content – purely service-based
Service Explicit6-character alphanumericService messages sent with customer consentTATASK – subscription reminders; NETFLX – account updates; CREDIT – loan or EMI reminders from a finance companyConsent must be recorded and templates approved

Example headers illustrate the format used by well-known brands; you can only register headers that reflect your own registered brand or business name.

Key rules for sender IDs

  • The header must reflect your brand or business name.
  • Headers are case-sensitive: ABCDEF is not the same as abcdef.
  • Register each header under the category that matches the messages you send.
  • A header must be linked to approved content templates before use.
  • Never mix promotional content into service implicit messages.
  • Use only brand names your business is officially associated with.

What do the new -P, -S, -T and -G sender ID suffixes mean?

Every SMS header now carries a suffix that tells the recipient what type of message it is. The DLT system applies it automatically based on the approved template.

SuffixMessage typeDescription
-PPromotionalAds, offers, discounts, marketing campaigns
-SService (Implicit)Informational messages based on an existing customer relationship
-TTransactionalOTPs, banking alerts, purchase confirmations (only for banks)
-GGovernmentOfficial government communications (TRAI-exempted entities only)

Example: if your sender ID is MYBRND and you are sending a service message, it appears as MYBRND-S on the recipient's phone.

Key implementation notes for the suffix system

No manual action

The suffix is auto-applied by the DLT platform; you do not change your header or API calls.

Template decides the suffix

The suffix is determined by the category of the approved template the message matches.

Service Explicit moves to -P

The Service Explicit category is being phased out, and such templates now fall under -P (Promotional). Read our service explicit vs service implicit comparison.

One header, many suffixes

With suffixes in place, the same header can carry different suffixes depending on the template category used.

Why do sender ID suffixes matter?

Instant clarity

Recipients can identify the nature of a message at a glance before opening it.

Less phishing

Clear message intent reduces the risk of phishing and fraud using look-alike senders.

Regulatory compliance

Suffixes support compliance with TRAI's updated TCCCPR regulations for commercial communication.

How do I get a sender ID with SMSGatewayHub?

  1. Register on DLT

    Register your business as a Principal Entity on an operator DLT portal, or let our DLT priority support team do it for you.

  2. Apply for your header

    Submit a 6-character header that reflects your brand under the right category; promotional numeric headers are assigned automatically.

  3. Register templates

    Create content templates linked to the header, following our DLT sample template guideline.

  4. Map and send

    Add the approved header and template IDs in your SMSGatewayHub account and send via panel or HTTP API.

Sender ID tips for better delivery

Pick a header that customers will recognise, and keep it consistent across OTP SMS, order updates and reminders so people learn to trust it. Avoid registering a header in one category and then sending content of another category; mismatches are the most common cause of blocked messages. If a message fails, check the operator response against our DLT error codes and solutions page.

SMSGatewayHub also supports personalised SMS and real-time live delivery reports for every header. For the latest approval guidance see our blog on bulk SMS sender ID approval guidelines.

Related Services & Guides

DLT Registration →

Register your entity, headers and templates.

DLT Sample Templates →

Template formats for every SMS category.

Service Explicit vs Service Implicit SMS →

Understand the two service categories.

Transactional SMS →

Alerts and OTPs on DND numbers.

Sender ID Approval Guidelines →

Blog: how to get headers approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

A sender ID, also called a DLT header, is the name shown as the sender of a business SMS. In India it is a 6-character alphanumeric code for service and transactional messages, or a 6-digit numeric header for promotional messages.

No. Promotional sender IDs are 6-digit numeric headers auto-assigned by the DLT portal based on your business category, and they are not customizable. Alphanumeric headers that reflect your brand are used for service and transactional messages.

Only banks can use the transactional category, and it is meant for OTPs such as those needed to complete a banking transaction. Other businesses send OTPs and alerts under the service implicit category through SMSGatewayHub.

These are suffixes added automatically by the DLT system: -P for promotional, -S for service implicit, -T for transactional and -G for government messages. For example, a service message from MYBRND appears as MYBRND-S on the recipient's phone.

No manual action is required. The suffix is applied by the DLT platform based on the category of the approved template, so your SMSGatewayHub API calls and headers stay the same.

Yes. Headers are case-sensitive, so ABCDEF and abcdef are treated as different sender IDs. Always use the header exactly as it was approved on DLT.

SMSGatewayHub guides you through DLT entity, header and template registration, or handles it for you through DLT priority support. Once approved, the header is mapped in your account so you can send branded bulk SMS immediately.

Send SMS in your brand name

Register your sender ID with SMSGatewayHub's help and start sending DLT-compliant bulk SMS, paying only for delivered SMS.

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