DLT Sender ID (Header) Registration in India
Short answer: A DLT header, also called a sender ID, is the short name that shows as the sender of your SMS. You register it on the DLT platform after your business entity is approved, choose whether it is for transactional or promotional use, and link your message templates to it. Messages from an unregistered header are blocked.
This guide covers choosing a header, registering it and linking templates. It assumes your entity is already registered; if not, start with our DLT registration guide. Rules are set by operators and TRAI, so confirm current requirements on the portal.
Last updated: 2 November 2026.
What to decide before you register
| Decision | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Header text | Choose a short name people recognise as your brand. Avoid names that look like another company's. |
| Category | Transactional or service for OTPs and alerts, promotional for marketing. Do not mix them on one header. |
| One header or several | Separate headers per brand or category make filtering and troubleshooting easier. |
| Proof of ownership | Be ready to show the brand is yours, such as a website, trademark or authorisation letter, if the portal asks. |
| Which provider | Link the header to the provider that will send the messages; check how your provider handles linking. |
Registration steps
Confirm your entity is approved
Your Principal Entity ID must be active before you can add headers.Log in to the operator's DLT portal
Open the header registration section and start a new header.Enter the header and select its category
Use the brand name you chose and pick transactional, service or promotional to match your content.Upload supporting documents if requested
Some portals ask for proof that the brand belongs to you.Wait for approval
Operators review headers on their own timelines. Check status in the portal.Link templates and your provider
Once approved, register templates against the header. See DLT template format and variables.
Common reasons headers are rejected
- The header looks like a well-known brand you do not own.
- The category does not match your content.
- Missing or mismatched documents.
- A header that is generic or misleading.
Where it fits
Headers are one of three registrations, along with the entity and the templates. See promotional vs transactional SMS to pick a category, and OTP SMS API without DLT for what is blocked without them. Teleopedia helps customers with DLT onboarding for SMS and voice; see our SMS service.
DLT header questions
What is a DLT header?
It is the sender ID that appears on the recipient's phone and that you register on the DLT platform before sending SMS.
Can one header carry promotional and OTP messages?
No. Use separate headers for transactional or service and promotional content.
How many characters can a header have?
Header rules vary by category and operator. Check the portal for the current format before choosing a name.
Can I change a header after approval?
Treat approved headers as fixed. Register a new one if the name needs to change, and update your templates and code.
Who approves headers?
The telecom operators, through their DLT portals. Providers can help prepare the application but do not control approval.
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