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📱 DLT Template ID Registration Guide

Master TRAI-compliant template creation for seamless bulk SMS communication. Interactive tools, validation rules, and step-by-step guidance.

What is a DLT Template ID?

A Template ID is a unique identifier assigned to pre-registered message templates on the DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) platform. As per TRAI's TCCCPR 2018 regulations, all commercial communications must use registered templates to ensure compliance and protect consumers from spam.

Key Point: Every SMS sent for commercial purposes must match a registered template. This ensures transparency, traceability, and consumer protection.

4

Template Categories

2-3

Max Variables Allowed

2000

Max Character Length

2

Working Days TAT

Why Template Registration Matters

✅ Regulatory Compliance: Mandatory as per TRAI TCCCPR 2018
✅ Spam Prevention: Reduces unsolicited commercial communications
✅ Message Delivery: Unregistered templates will be blocked
✅ Brand Protection: Ensures authentic communication
✅ Consumer Trust: Builds credibility with verified messages

Template Registration Process

  1. Register your Entity: Complete PE (Principal Entity) registration on DLT

  2. Register Header/Sender ID: Get approved alphanumeric or numeric headers

  3. Create Template: Draft your message with fixed and variable parts

  4. Select Category: Choose appropriate template type (Transactional/Service/Promotional)

  5. Submit for Approval: Wait for operator verification (2 working days)

  6. Receive Template ID: Use this ID for all matching communications

Template Categories

Understanding the four categories is crucial for compliance and optimal message delivery.

Transactional Templates

🏦

Purpose: Banking OTPs only

Use Case: Net banking, card transactions

Header Type: Alphanumeric

Variables: 4-5 allowed

Criteria:

  • Contains OTP (One Time Password)

  • Required to complete a banking transaction

  • Initiated by bank customer

  • Only for banks, digital wallets (RBI approved)

Dear Customer, {#var#} is your OTP for completing net banking transaction of Rs.{#var#}. Valid for 10 minutes. Do not share. - YourBank

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Service Implicit Templates

Purpose: Relationship-based messages

Use Case: Order confirmations, delivery updates

Header Type: Alphanumeric

Variables: 4-5 allowed

Criteria:

  • Arises from customer action or relationship

  • Not promotional in nature

  • In customer's interest to receive

  • Examples: delivery updates, appointment reminders, bill alerts

Your order #{#var#} has been dispatched and will be delivered by {#var#}. Track: {#var#} - YourStore

*

📬

✉️

Service Explicit Templates

Purpose: Consent-required service messages

Use Case: Offers to existing customers

Header Type: Alphanumeric

Variables: 4-5 allowed

Criteria:

  • Requires explicit digitally-verified consent

  • May contain promotional elements

  • Sent to opted-in customers

  • Examples: renewal reminders with offers, upgrade notifications

Dear {#var#}, You are eligible for a pre-approved loan of Rs.{#var#} at {#var#}% interest. Apply now - YourBank

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Promotional Templates

📢

Purpose: Marketing communications

Use Case: Sales, promotions, offers

Header Type: Numeric only

Variables: 2-3 allowed

Criteria:

  • Arises from customer action or relationship

  • Not promotional in nature

  • In customer's interest to receive

  • Examples: delivery updates, appointment reminders, bill alerts

Mega Sale! Get {#var#}% OFF on all products. Valid till {#var#}. Shop now at www.example.com - 567890

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Template Validation Rules

⚠️ Critical Validation Points

Organization Name: Must be reflected in the template
Maximum Length: 2000 characters per template
Variables Format: Use {#var#} only (each allows 30 characters)
Variable Limits: Maximum 2-3 variables (3rd requires justification)
Non-Consecutive: Variables must be separated by text, not spaces/commas
Category Match: Header and template categories must align
No Full Variables: Template cannot be entirely {#var#}

Variable Usage Guidelines

Transactional

4-5 variables allowed
Example: OTP, amount, time

Service

4-5 variables allowed
Example: Order ID, date, status

Promotional

4-5 variables allowed
Example: OTP, amount, time

New TRAI Direction (Feb 2023): Maximum 2 variables per template. A 3rd variable may be allowed only in cases of exigency with proper justification. Variables must be non-consecutive and separated by actual content.

Exempted Special Characters

These characters are not validated during template scrubbing:

~ ` ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) - _ + = { } [ ] | \ / : ; " ' < > , . ?

Common Validation Errors

❌  Consecutive Variables: {#var#} {#var#} or {#var#},{#var#}

❌  Too Many Variables: More than 3 in a single template

❌  All Variable: Template with only {#var#} and no fixed text

❌  Category Mismatch: Promotional content with service header

❌  Missing Brand: No organization/brand name in template

❌  Wrong Header Type: Promotional message with alpha sender ID

Best Practices

✅ Keep variables to 20 characters for optimal delivery

✅ Use meaningful fixed text between variables

✅ Include brand/company name clearly

✅ Match template category with actual message purpose

✅ Test templates before bulk deployment

✅ Maintain separate templates for different languages

✅ Regular quarterly re-verification of active templates

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if I don't register templates?

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Messages sent without registered templates will be blocked by telecom operators. This is a mandatory compliance requirement under TRAI TCCCPR 2018 regulations. Non-compliance can result in:

  • Message delivery failures

  • Header suspension or disconnection

  • Financial penalties

  • Blacklisting of your entity

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2. Can I use the same template across multiple operators?

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Yes! Templates registered with one operator are valid across all operators. You don't need to re-register the same template with multiple telecom providers. The DLT platform ensures inter-operator synchronization.

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3. How long does template approval take?

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The standard TAT (Turn Around Time) is 2 working days from submission. However, this can vary based on:

  • Completeness of information

  • Compliance with validation rules

  • Operator workload

  • Need for additional clarification

Tip: Ensure your template follows all validation rules to avoid rejection and resubmission delays.

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4. Can I link multiple headers to one template?

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Yes! Within the same category, you can link multiple headers to a single template and vice versa. This is useful when:

  • You have multiple brand names under one entity

  • Different departments use different sender IDs

  • Regional variations require different headers

Note: The category of the header and template must match.

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5. What is the difference between {#var#} and other placeholders?

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{#var#} is the only approved format for variable content in DLT templates. Other formats like {{variable}}, [variable], or %variable% are not recognized and will cause template rejection.

Important points:

  • Each {#var#} can hold up to 30 characters

  • Exempted special characters don't count toward the 30-character limit

  • Variables must be non-consecutive

  • Use only 2-3 variables per template

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6. Do I need separate templates for different languages?

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Yes! Each language requires a separate template registration. You cannot upload Unicode scripts in place of vernacular scripts. For regional languages:

  • Create templates in native script (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, etc.)

  • Each language version needs separate approval

  • Same validation rules apply to all languages

  • Template IDs will be different for each language

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7. Can promotional messages use alphanumeric sender IDs?

No! This is a critical rule. Promotional messages must use numeric sender IDs only (6-digit numbers like 567890). Alphanumeric headers (like ABBANKK) are reserved for:

  • Transactional messages

  • Service Implicit messages

  • Service Explicit messages

Attempting to send promotional content via alphanumeric headers will result in template rejection and potential penalties.

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8. What happens to unused templates?

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As per TRAI Direction (Feb 2023):

  • Templates unused for 30+ days will be temporarily deactivated

  • You can reactivate them through an online process

  • Quarterly re-verification is now mandatory

  • Unverified templates will be suspended

Best Practice: Regularly review and surrender unused templates to maintain a clean portfolio.

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Can I edit a template after approval?

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No! Once approved, templates cannot be edited. If you need changes:

  1. Register a new template with the modified content

  2. Wait for approval (2 working days)

  3. Start using the new template ID

  4. Optionally, deactivate or surrender the old template

Note: Minor variations require separate templates - plan your template strategy accordingly.

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What is consent template ID for promotional messages?

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A Consent Template ID is used to link customer consent records with promotional/service explicit messages. It ensures:

  • Messages are sent only to customers who opted in

  • Compliance with DND (Do Not Disturb) regulations

  • Proper scrubbing against consent database

Process:

  1. Register consent template showing what customer agreed to

  2. Link it with your promotional/service explicit templates

  3. Upload customer consent records against the consent template ID

  4. System automatically scrubs against consented numbers

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How do I handle template rejection?

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If your template is rejected:

  1. Check rejection reason - operators provide specific feedback

  2. Common issues:

    • Too many variables

    • Consecutive variables

    • Category mismatch

    • Missing organization name

    • Promotional content with wrong header type

  3. Correct the issues and resubmit

  4. Contact operator support if rejection reason is unclear

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