What is DLT registration?
DLT registration is the process, under TRAI’s commercial communication rules, by which Indian businesses register as principal entities on a telecom operator’s Distributed Ledger Technology platform, along with their SMS sender headers, message templates and consent records. Messages that do not match a registered header and template can be blocked. Check the current rule.
Why it matters for hospitals
Hospitals rely on SMS for OTPs, appointment reminders, reports and health check offers, and an unregistered template simply does not reach the patient. Transactional, service and promotional messages are treated differently, so a reminder written like an offer can be filtered. TRAI has amended these rules over time, so what worked a year ago may not work now. Rules change, so check the current rule before you rely on this.
How to put it into practice
- Register the hospital as a principal entity and keep one owner for headers and templates.
- Create separate templates for transactional, service and promotional messages, with variables only where needed.
- Whitelist the URLs and callback numbers you use inside messages if your operator requires it.
- Record consent for promotional SMS and honour opt-outs and preference settings.
- Test every new template on several networks before a campaign or a go-live date.
The common mistake
Writing one template that mixes a reminder with a promotional offer. It confuses the category and raises the chance the message is blocked.
An illustrative example
A diagnostics chain found that many of its report-ready SMS had stopped delivering after a template change. Re-registering the template with fixed text and a whitelisted link fixed delivery within a week. (Composite example, not a specific hospital.)
Related terms
Further reading
- Healthcare marketing automation in India
- Automating patient follow-up after OPD
- DPDP Act and hospital marketing
Part of the healthcare growth and digital glossary. Last reviewed 7 October 2026.