Bulk SMS is one of the most effective communication channels for businesses in India. However, strict telecom regulations control how companies send promotional and transactional messages. Following SMS compliance guidelines ensures better delivery rates, customer trust, and legal safety when using services from SMSGatewayHub.
???????? What Are Bulk SMS Rules in India?
Bulk SMS in India is regulated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). These rules are designed to reduce spam messaging and protect customer privacy.
Businesses must follow telecom compliance guidelines before launching SMS marketing campaigns.
???? Learn complete regulatory guidelines here:
https://crm.smsgatewayhub.com/knowledge-base/article/what-are-the-bulk-sms-rules-and-regulations-in-india
✅ DLT Registration – Mandatory Requirement
DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) is a government-approved system that monitors SMS traffic and ensures transparency between telecom operators and businesses.
Businesses Must Register As:
Principal Entity (Business Owner)
Telemarketer (Messaging Service Provider)
DLT registration helps in:
Spam control
Sender ID verification
Template approval
Consent tracking
???? Promotional SMS Rules
Promotional SMS includes marketing or advertising messages.
Allowed Time Window:
✔ 10 AM – 9 PM only
Examples:
Discount offers
Product launches
Seasonal promotions
Sales campaign alerts
Sending promotional messages outside allowed time may lead to penalties or SMS blocking.
???? Transactional SMS Rules
Transactional SMS is used for important service communication.
Allowed Timing:
✔ 24×7 Messaging Allowed
Examples:
OTP verification
Banking alerts
Order confirmations
Payment notifications
Transactional SMS usually has higher delivery priority.
???? Customer Consent Requirements
Customer consent is mandatory before sending promotional messages.
Businesses must:
Maintain opt-in records
Store consent in DLT system
Provide opt-out option
Failure to maintain consent records can result in legal penalties.
???? Sender ID & Template Approval
Businesses must use registered Sender IDs and approved SMS templates.
Sender ID Types:
Promotional headers
Transactional headers
Service headers
Templates must match approved content format to avoid delivery failure.
⚠️ Penalties for SMS Rule Violations
Ignoring SMS regulations can result in:
SMS blocking
Heavy fines
Telemarketer blacklisting
Business account suspension
⭐ Why Compliance Matters
Following bulk SMS rules helps businesses:
✔ Improve SMS delivery rates
✔ Build customer trust
✔ Avoid legal risks
✔ Maintain brand reputation
???? Final Thoughts
Bulk SMS compliance is not optional in India. Businesses must follow DLT registration, consent management, sender ID verification, and messaging time rules to run successful SMS marketing campaigns.