DLT Template Rejected? Common Reasons and Fixes
When your DLT SMS template is rejected — the precise causes Indian operators flag, how to fix variable markers, category mismatches, and language issues, and how to skip DLT entirely.
StartMessaging Team
Engineering
DLT template rejection is the #1 reason Indian devs get blocked on a launch. Most rejections trace to one of four predictable causes — and almost all are fixable on resubmit.
Top Rejection Causes
- Wrong variable markers.
- Category mismatch (transactional template marked promotional).
- Banned keywords (operator-name impersonation, etc.).
- Body deviates from template format.
Variable Marker Issues
- Use
{#var#}exactly, no spaces. - Variables must be sequential — first
{#var#}, then second, etc. - Don’t embed variables inside other variables.
Category Mismatch
OTP template under promotional category? Operator rejects it. Make sure category matches use case. See transactional vs promotional.
Wording / Keyword Issues
- Avoid “RBI”, “BANK” without proper authorisation.
- No claims of guaranteed returns.
- No ALL-CAPS spam wording.
How to Resubmit Successfully
- Read the rejection reason carefully.
- Fix exactly that — don’t over-engineer the template.
- Resubmit through the same portal.
- Repeat across all operator portals if needed.
How to Skip DLT
Use a DLT-free OTP API. StartMessaging absorbs template approvals on your behalf — no rejection, no resubmission cycle.
FAQ
DLT is solvable but tedious; outsourcing it to a managed provider is the fastest path for most teams.
Related Articles
Learn how to write DLT SMS templates that get approved on the first attempt. Template types, variable syntax, rejection reasons, and operator-specific tips.
How DLT template variables work in India: allowed character classes, length limits, common rejection reasons, and copy-paste-ready examples that pass the first time.
SMS sender ID explained: the 6-character header that tells users who sent the SMS, India DLT registration rules, transactional vs promotional sender IDs, and how to pick a good one.
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