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🎯 Principal Entity (PE) ID

Everything you need to know about PE ID registration on India's DLT Platform for TRAI-compliant commercial communication. Comprehensive guide covering registration process, validity, functions, header & template management, and compliance requirements.

Complete DLT Registration Guide for India 

Understanding PE ID and Its Importance in India's Telecom Ecosystem

What is a Principal Entity (PE) ID?

A Principal Entity (PE) ID is a unique identification number assigned to businesses, organizations, and individuals who register on India's Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform. This registration is mandatory under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regulations for any entity that wishes to send commercial communications—whether SMS or voice calls—to mobile subscribers across India.

The PE ID system was introduced as part of TRAI's Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCP-2018), which aims to curb Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) and protect consumer privacy while enabling legitimate businesses to communicate with their customers effectively.

1 Year

Validity Period

72 Hr

Approval Timeline

Pan-India

Unique ID Across Telecom India

Why is PE ID Registration Mandatory?

In the pre-DLT era, Indian mobile subscribers faced a significant problem with spam messages and unwanted promotional calls. Fraudulent entities could easily send bulk messages using fake sender IDs, leading to harassment, scams, and privacy violations. The DLT platform and mandatory PE ID registration solve these problems through several mechanisms:

🏢

Establishing Business Legitimacy

Every entity sending commercial messages must register with valid business documents, creating a verified database of legitimate senders and eliminating anonymous communication.

🛡️

Reducing Spam and Fraud

The rigorous registration process filters out fraudulent entities and creates accountability for all commercial communications, significantly reducing UCC incidents.

🔒

Protecting Consumer Privacy

Subscribers can easily identify genuine businesses and exercise their right to consent or refuse commercial communications, putting control back in consumers' hands.

Enabling Regulatory Compliance

The system ensures all commercial communications comply with TRAI regulations, including respecting Do Not Disturb (DND) preferences and time-slot restrictions.

📊

Creating Transparency

The distributed ledger technology ensures all communications are traceable, creating an audit trail for regulatory enforcement and dispute resolution.

🎯

Building Trust

Verified sender IDs help recipients identify legitimate business communications, improving open rates and customer engagement for compliant businesses.

Without a valid PE ID, you cannot:

  1. Register headers (sender IDs) for your SMS campaigns

  2. Create and approve message templates

  3. Send transactional, service, or promotional messages

  4. Acquire customer consents for service communications

  5. Work with registered telemarketers for message delivery

✓ Important: Universal PE ID Recognition

Your PE ID is unique and recognized across all telecom operators in India. This means:

  1. Register once with any operator (Jio, Airtel, Vi, or BSNL)

  2. Use the same PE ID with all other operators

  3. No need for multiple registrations

  4. Centralized management of all your commercial communications

  5. Consistent identity across the entire telecom ecosystem

Classification of Principal Entities

Who Can Register?

TRAI regulations define seven distinct categories of entities eligible for Principal Entity registration. Understanding which category your organization falls under is crucial for proper registration and compliance. Each category has specific documentation requirements and registration procedures.

1. Individual

An individual is a self-employed person or professional who conducts business in their personal capacity without forming a separate legal entity. This category is particularly suitable for:

  • Freelance professionals such as consultants, designers, and developers

  • Independent service providers offering specialized services

  • Solo entrepreneurs running small-scale businesses

  • Personal brand marketers and influencers

  • Content creators who send promotional communications

 

Individuals registering as Principal Entities must provide personal KYC documents including PAN card, Aadhaar card, address proof, and other identity verification documents. The authorized signatory in this case is the individual themselves, and they bear full responsibility for all communications sent under their PE ID.

2. Sole Proprietor

A sole proprietorship is a business owned and operated by a single person, though it may have a distinct business name separate from the owner's personal name. Unlike an individual registration, a sole proprietor operates under a registered business identity. This category includes:

  • Small retail businesses and shops

  • Local service providers with business registration

  • Independent shops and establishments

  • Single-owner enterprises with GST registration

  • Proprietorship firms conducting commercial activities

 

Sole proprietors need to provide business registration documents, GST certificate (if applicable), PAN card in the business name, and proprietor's identity proof. The business name can be used for header registration, providing a professional identity separate from personal communication.

3. Partnership Firm

Partnership firms are businesses owned by two or more partners who share profits, losses, and responsibilities according to a partnership agreement. This category encompasses:​

  • Traditional partnership firms registered under Partnership Act

  • Professional service firms such as CA firms, law firms, and consulting partnerships

  • Trading partnerships involved in buying and selling activities

  • Multi-partner business ventures and joint enterprises

  • Family businesses with multiple partners

 

Sole proprietors need to provide business registration documents, GST certificate (if applicable), PAN card in the business name, and proprietor's identity proof. The business name can be used for header registration, providing a professional identity separate from personal communication.

4. Private, Public, and Government Limited Companies

This category covers companies registered under the Companies Act, 2013, representing the corporate sector of India's economy. The classification includes:

  • Private Limited Companies: Privately held companies with limited shareholders (minimum 2, maximum 200), typically representing small to medium enterprises. These companies have "Private Limited" or "Pvt Ltd" as part of their registered name.

  • Public Limited Companies: Larger corporations with publicly traded shares or the ability to invite public investment. These companies can have unlimited shareholders and their shares may be listed on stock exchanges. They have "Limited" or "Ltd" in their registered name.

  • Government Companies: Companies where the central government, state government, or a combination thereof holds majority shares (51% or more). These include public sector undertakings (PSUs) and government-owned corporations.

 

These entities must provide Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Registrar of Companies, Memorandum and Articles of Association, PAN card in company name, GST registration certificate, and board resolution appointing the authorized signatory. The authorized signatory is typically a director or designated officer specifically authorized by the board.

5. Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

LLPs combine features of traditional partnerships and companies, offering limited liability protection to partners while maintaining the flexibility of partnership structures. This modern business form includes:

  • Professional service LLPs offering consulting, legal, or accounting services

  • Startup ventures choosing LLP structure for operational flexibility

  • Modern business partnerships with multiple stakeholders

  • Consulting and advisory firms operating in specialized domains

  • Technology companies and service providers

 

LLPs need to provide their LLP Incorporation Certificate issued by the Registrar of Companies, PAN card in LLP name, LLP Agreement detailing profit-sharing and management structure, and identity proof of all designated partners. The authorized signatory must be a designated partner specifically authorized to represent the LLP.

6. Trust, Association, Society, and Club (TASC)

This category covers non-profit organizations and member-based entities operating for social, charitable, educational, or recreational purposes:

  • Trusts: Charitable trusts registered under applicable Trust Acts, managing property or funds for beneficiaries. Trusts operate based on trust deeds and are managed by trustees.

  • Societies: Groups registered under Societies Registration Act for social, charitable, literary, scientific, or educational purposes. Societies are member-driven organizations with elected managing committees.

  • Associations: Informal or formal groups working toward common objectives, which may or may not be registered under specific acts.

  • Clubs: Member-based organizations for recreation, sports, social activities, or professional networking. Clubs may be registered under Societies Act or operate as private entities

 

These entities require Trust Deed or Society Registration Certificate, PAN card in entity name, registration certificate under applicable acts (Trust Act, Societies Registration Act, etc.), and identity proof of trustees or managing committee members. The authorized signatory should be the trustee, president, secretary, or another authorized officer as per the governing document.

7. Government Entity

Government entities include all organizations under central, state, or local government jurisdiction, representing public sector communication needs:

  • Central Government departments and ministries

  • State Government departments and directorates

  • Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) with government ownership

  • Autonomous bodies established under Constitution or statute

  • Municipal corporations and local bodies (Panchayats, Municipal Councils)

  • Government-funded institutions including educational and research organizations

  • Regulatory authorities and statutory bodies

 

Government entities have simplified registration requirements recognizing their official status. They need to provide an official Letter of Intent or Agreement from the Government of India or State Government, along with authorization letters on official letterhead. Standar

How to Register as a Principal Entity (PE)

01

Visit the Operator DLT Portal: Click on the Principal Entity (PE) tab and tap that big ol’ “New Registration” button..

03

Give Necessary Details: PAN, TAN, business documents, KYC stuff—yes, it’s paperwork, but necessary.

05

Validation Process -Sit back while the TSP registrar does the behind-the-scenes magic of verifying your details.

07

Payment Process: Principal Entity is supposed to release the payment within 30 days of the cooling period after the verification.

02

Determine Registration Status: - Choose No if it’s your first time, Choose Yes if you already have an Entity ID from another operator.

04

Submit KYC Documents: Govt PEs: Letterhead, email from a competent authority, TAN, GST cert. Non-Govt PEs: TAN, trade license, GST registration, incorporation cert, etc.

06

Approval and Activation: Once approved, your Reference ID gets activated on the DLT platform. You’re officially in the system.

08

PE ID Issue: Boom! Once payment’s done, your PE ID and registration certificate land in your inbox.

Principal Entity (PE) Roles

Header Enrollment or Registration 

Register The Header For Your Brand or Organization from the PE Login. You will get a Header ID After Registration

Telemarketer Selection

Pick a Registered Tele Marketer with Delivery or Aggregator Funtion and Create the Chain and Approve 

Template Enrollment or Registration 

Register The SMS Template For Your Brand or Organization from the PE Login. 

Consent Acquisition

Even family needs consent — collect and upload it to DLT; no assumed permissions.

PE ID Registration & Management Services

TechtoNetworks simplifies your DLT compliance journey. Get your Principal Entity ID registered, manage headers and templates, and optimize SMS delivery with our expert services.

1000 +

PE IDs Registered

72 Hrs

Average Approval Time

99.8%

Delivery Success Rate

24/7

Expert Support

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