You register on the DLT portal. Upload documents. Click submit. Two days later: "Application rejected. Entity name mismatch."
You fix it. Resubmit. Wait three days. "Template rejected. Variable format incorrect."
You Google the error. Find vague documentation. Try again. Rejected again. Two weeks gone. Still can't send a single SMS.
This happens to thousands of businesses. DLT approval has three hidden traps that cause endless rejections. This guide eliminates them all—showing you exact steps, required documents, common rejection fixes, and templates that get approved first time.
The 3-Step DLT Approval Process (Complete Timeline)
DLT approval requires three separate registrations. Each must be completed correctly before you can send your first SMS:
Entity Registration (1-3 Days)
Register your business as a telemarketer on a DLT portal. Prove you're a legitimate company authorized to send commercial SMS.
What you get: Unique Entity ID (format: TM-XXXXXXXXXX)
Header Registration (1-2 Days)
Register your sender ID—the name that appears in the "From" field (like HDFCBK or UNIQUE). Links to your Entity ID.
What you get: Approved sender name for your messages
Template Approval (1-3 Days Each)
Submit message templates for approval. Every message you send must match a pre-approved template exactly.
What you get: Template ID for each approved message format
💡 Why All Three Are Mandatory
Every SMS is checked in real-time before delivery. System verifies: Entity registered? Header approved? Message matches template? If any check fails, the message is blocked. Complete all three correctly or send zero messages.
Step 1: Entity Registration (Getting Your Business Approved)
Choose Your DLT Portal (You Only Need One):
- Airtel DLT (SmartPing): smartping.com—Smooth process, widely used
- Vi DLT (VILpower): vilpower.in—Good interface, quick approvals
- Jio DLT: trueconnect.jio.com—For Jio-heavy audiences
- BSNL DLT: dlt.bsnl.co.in—Government entities prefer this
Your SMS provider will recommend the best portal. Registration fee: ~₹5,000 + GST (one-time).
Documents Required (Must Match Exactly)
For Private/Public Companies:
- Company PAN Card
- Certificate of Incorporation
- GST Registration Certificate
- Authorized signatory's Aadhaar + PAN
- Board Resolution on letterhead
For Proprietorships:
- Owner's PAN + Aadhaar
- GST Certificate (if applicable)
- Business registration proof (Udyam/Shop Act)
- Bank statement
⚠️ #1 Rejection Reason: Name Mismatch
If your PAN says "ABC Pvt Ltd" but GST says "ABC Private Limited"—instant rejection. Entity name must be IDENTICAL across all documents. Fix this before starting. Get affidavit if names genuinely differ.
Registration Steps
- Create account on chosen portal with company email
- Complete business information form
- Upload all documents (scan at 300 DPI minimum)
- Submit for review
- Wait 1-3 days for approval notification
Result: Entity ID emailed to you. Save this—needed for every future step.
Step 2: Header Registration (Your Sender Name)
The header is what recipients see as your sender name. Two types:
- Transactional (6-char alpha): For OTPs/alerts. Reaches DND numbers. Example: HDFCBK
- Promotional (10-digit number): For marketing. Blocked on DND. Example: 9876543210
How to Choose Your Header
Pick a 6-character name related to your brand:
- Must be unique (not taken by another company)
- Alphabetic only for transactional
- Should be recognizable to recipients
Check availability in portal before proceeding. If taken, try variations.
Registration Steps
- Log into DLT portal
- Navigate to "Header Registration"
- Select your approved Entity ID
- Enter chosen header name
- Select type (Transactional/Promotional)
- Submit for approval (1-2 days)
Step 3: Template Approval (The Critical Step)
Every message must match a pre-approved template. Dynamic parts use {#var#} placeholders.
Template Categories
- Transactional: OTPs, order confirmations, payment receipts—reaches DND numbers
- Promotional: Offers, sales, campaigns—blocked on DND
- Service: Updates to existing customers
Correct Template Format Examples
Your OTP to verify your account on {#var#} is {#var#}. Valid for 5 minutes. Do not share. - UNIQUE
Hi {#var#}, your order #{#var#} worth Rs.{#var#} confirmed. Delivery: {#var#}. Track: {#var#} - SHOPNAME
⚠️ Top Template Rejection Reasons
Wrong variable format: Using [name] or {{var}} instead of {#var#}. Only {#var#} works.
Category mismatch: Promotional content as transactional to bypass DND.
Unregistered URLs: Links in template but domain not whitelisted.
Spam words: ALL CAPS, FREE!!!, GUARANTEED.
Header mismatch: Template says "- BRAND" but header is "COMPANY".
Submission Steps
- Go to "Template Registration" in portal
- Select Entity ID and Header
- Choose category (Transactional/Promotional)
- Paste template with {#var#} placeholders
- Register any URLs separately first
- Submit and wait 1-3 days
- Receive Template ID when approved
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Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: Entity Rejected for Document Issues
Solution: Review all docs before submission. Ensure names match exactly. Scan at high resolution. Check expiry dates. Get name mismatch affidavit if needed.
Problem: Template Rejected for Variable Format
Solution: Replace every dynamic field with {#var#} exactly. Not [name], not {{otp}}, not %s. Only {#var#}.
Problem: Messages Still Blocked After Approval
Solution: Ensure SMS API calls include Template ID parameter. Without it, DLT scrubbing blocks the message.
How Unique Digital Outreach Simplifies DLT
We handle end-to-end DLT approval for every SMS client:
- Document review: Check for name consistency and completeness before submission
- Portal guidance: Recommend optimal portal for your use case
- Template creation: Write templates with correct {#var#} format
- Rejection handling: Fix and resubmit immediately
- Fast approval: 94% first-attempt success, 3-5 days total
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does DLT approval take?
What documents are required?
Why do templates get rejected?
Can I send SMS before all approvals?
How much does DLT cost?
Can Unique Digital Outreach help?
Get DLT Approved in 3-5 Days with Expert Help
Stop fighting rejections. Our team handles entity, header, and template registration while you focus on business. SMS at ₹0.13/delivered message with transparent billing.
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