{"id":2228,"date":"2026-01-31T20:35:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T15:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smsgatewaycenter.com\/blog\/?p=2228"},"modified":"2026-02-06T18:29:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T12:59:44","slug":"trai-dlt-mandatory-variable-tagging-sms-templates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smsgatewaycenter.com\/blog\/trai-dlt-mandatory-variable-tagging-sms-templates\/","title":{"rendered":"Important Regulatory Update: Mandatory Variable Tagging for DLT SMS Templates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We are writing to inform you of an important regulatory update issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)<\/strong> that affects all customers using SMS delivery and SMS template registration on the DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) platform<\/strong>. As your SMS gateway<\/a> and bulk SMS<\/a> partner, SMSGatewayCenter<\/strong> requests all customers to implement these upcoming changes before the applicable deadlines<\/strong> to avoid template failures and message delivery issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a regulatory mandate. Timely action will help avoid any disruption to your transactional SMS<\/a>, promotional SMS<\/a>, OTP<\/a>, and other SMS communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Variable<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What Is Changing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As per the TRAI Direction<\/strong>, all Principal Entities (PEs)<\/strong> are required to implement mandatory variable tagging<\/strong> to curb misuse of SMS content templates. This applies to templates used for SMS delivery through operators, including Airtel, Jio, Tata, Vi and others adopting the same directive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In simple terms: every variable<\/strong> in your SMS template (such as OTP, amount, reference ID, link, or callback number) must be pre-tagged<\/strong> with a defined data type and purpose<\/strong>. Only data that matches the tag will be allowed at runtime. Templates that do not follow this rule may fail validation<\/strong> and not be delivered<\/strong> after the enforcement deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key Regulatory Change: Mandatory Variable Tagging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The following change will be implemented on the DLT platform:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Mandatory Variable Tagging for New Templates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For all new SMS templates created on or after 14 January 2026<\/strong>, variable fields must be pre-tagged<\/strong> with an approved data type and purpose. Only the data permitted by the tag can be populated when you send the message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approved variable tags (examples):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tag<\/th>Use Case<\/th>Example Content<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
{#numeric#}<\/code><\/td>OTPs, amounts, numbers<\/td>123456, 999, 5000<\/td><\/tr>
{#alphanumeric#}<\/code><\/td>Reference IDs, ticket numbers<\/td>ORD12345, TKT-AB12<\/td><\/tr>
{#url#}<\/code><\/td>Website links<\/td>https:\/\/example.com\/page<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
{#urlott#}<\/code><\/td>OTT or app download links<\/td>App store \/ Play Store links<\/td><\/tr>
{#cbn#}<\/code><\/td>Callback numbers<\/td>9876543210<\/td><\/tr>
{#email#}<\/code><\/td>Email addresses<\/td>user@example.com<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you register or update templates on the DLT platform<\/a>, you must use these tags for every variable. For example, an OTP variable should be written as {#numeric#}<\/code> and only numeric values should be sent in that place at runtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Timeline for Existing Templates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n