GUIDE · 8 min read · Updated June 2026
What is DLT Registration in India? Complete Guide for AI Calling 2026
If you make commercial calls or send business SMS in India, DLT registration is not optional. TRAI has mandated that every business enroll on a government-approved blockchain platform before contacting customers. Here is everything you need to know — what it is, why it exists, how to register, and what it means for AI calling.
Ratnam, Founder · Vyora AI
June 2026
Definition
DLT registration (Distributed Ledger Technology) is a TRAI-mandated system requiring all Indian businesses that make commercial calls or send business SMS to register their entity, sender ID, and message templates on a blockchain-based government portal before communicating with customers.
Regulated under: TRAI Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR) 2018, amended February 2025. Non-compliance penalty: up to ₹5 lakh per complaint.
Why TRAI created the DLT system
India receives billions of spam calls and SMS every year. Before DLT, any business could make commercial calls from standard mobile numbers with no accountability or record-keeping. TRAI introduced the DLT system in 2018 — and enforced it strictly from 2021 onward — to create an auditable trail for every commercial communication.
The system is built on blockchain so records cannot be altered retroactively. Every call or SMS sent by a registered business can be traced back to the entity that made it, the header it used, and the template it was supposed to follow. This makes spam accountable and allows TRAI to penalise violators with evidence.
The February 2025 amendment tightened rules further: all service and transactional calls must now use 160-series numbers (previously 140-series covered all commercial use cases). This means AI calling platforms, IVR systems, and automated dialers must all be on 160-series to remain compliant.
140-series vs 160-series — what's the difference?
For most Indian SMBs doing outbound to their own customer base — COD confirmation calls, appointment reminders, loan follow-up — 160-series is the right classification. Cold outreach to bought or scraped leads requires 140-series and additional DND compliance steps.
How to register on DLT — step by step
Register your entity
Go to any TRAI-approved DLT portal (e.g. vilpower.in). Create a business account, verify your mobile OTP, and submit your KYC documents: GST certificate or business PAN + proof of business. For sole proprietors, personal PAN + Aadhaar is accepted. Verification takes 1-3 business days.
Get your Entity ID
Once KYC is approved, you receive a unique Entity ID. This is your permanent identifier in the TRAI DLT ecosystem. All your headers and templates will be linked to this Entity ID. Store it — you will need it for every subsequent step.
Register your headers (Sender ID)
For SMS: register a 6-character alphanumeric sender ID (e.g. VYORAI). For voice calls: the header is typically your telemarketer code associated with your 160-series or 140-series number. Submit headers under your Entity ID. Approval takes 1-3 business days per header.
Register your message templates
For every SMS or call script you use commercially, register a template. Templates must match what is actually sent — variable placeholders are allowed (e.g. "{#var#}" for customer name). Submit clear, accurate templates and avoid vague language that might flag spam review. Approval: 24-72 hours per template.
Link your telecom provider
Your registered telemarketer (the company providing your 160/140 number) links your Entity ID to your calling number. For Vyora users, this step is handled by Vyora — your calls go through pre-registered 160-series numbers that are already linked to a registered telemarketer.
Begin compliant calling
Once headers and at least one template are approved, you can begin compliant commercial communication. Always use approved templates. Keep records of all call logs for 6 months for compliance. Do not call numbers on the National Do-Not-Disturb (DND) registry — always scrub your list first.
TRAI-approved DLT portals in India
You only need to register on one portal — all TRAI-approved portals sync data across the ecosystem. Choose based on your existing telecom provider or the UI you find easiest.
Tip: Vilpower (Vodafone Idea) is the most commonly used portal among Indian businesses — fastest KYC and widest documentation.
What happens if you call without DLT registration?
Calls originating from unregistered numbers are blocked by telecom operators before reaching the recipient. Your calls simply do not connect.
TRAI can impose fines of up to ₹5 lakh per customer complaint for non-compliant commercial communications. Repeat violations escalate rapidly.
Persistent non-compliance results in blacklisting of your entity — your future DLT registrations may be rejected across all portals.
Calling DND-registered numbers without consent carries criminal liability under the Indian Telecommunications Act 2023, not just civil fines.
Do I need DLT registration to use Vyora AI?
For standard outbound calling through the Vyora platform — no. Vyora operates on pre-registered, TRAI-compliant 160-series numbers managed by our telephony partners. When you launch a campaign through Vyora, your calls go out through compliant infrastructure from day one. You do not need to complete your own DLT registration to start calling.
However, two situations require your own DLT registration:
- —Custom branded number: if you want calls to display your own company's registered 160-series number, you need your own DLT entity registration and telemarketer code.
- —Regulated industries: BFSI (banking, insurance, NBFC collections) often require that calls originate from the regulated entity's own registered number for audit and compliance purposes.
For the vast majority of Vyora users — real estate, edtech, D2C, healthcare, general lending follow-up — you can start compliant calling immediately without any separate registration.
Frequently asked questions
What is DLT registration in India?
DLT registration is mandatory enrollment on a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) approved Distributed Ledger Technology platform. All businesses that send commercial SMS or make promotional/service calls in India must register their entity, sender ID (header), and message templates on a TRAI-approved DLT portal before communicating with customers.
Is DLT registration required for AI voice calls?
Yes. All commercial outbound calls from businesses in India must originate from TRAI-registered 160-series (service/transactional) or 140-series (promotional) numbers. These numbers are issued after DLT registration. Calls from unregistered numbers are blocked by telecom operators and can attract fines of up to ₹5 lakh per complaint.
What is the difference between 140 and 160 series numbers?
140-series numbers are for promotional calls (marketing to prospects with no prior relationship). 160-series numbers are for service/transactional calls to existing customers — for example, reminding a customer about an appointment they booked, or confirming a COD order they placed. Since February 2025 (TRAI amendment), 160-series is mandatory for service calls. Vyora uses 160-series numbers.
Which DLT portal should I register on?
You only need to register on one TRAI-approved DLT portal — all portals sync data with each other. Common portals: Vodafone (vilpower.in), Airtel (airtelstream.in), Jio (trueconnect.jio.com), Tata (smartping.com), and BSNL (bsnlsaral.com). Most businesses register on Vilpower or Airtel Stream.
Do I need DLT registration to use Vyora AI?
For standard outbound calling through the Vyora platform, no — Vyora operates on pre-registered, TRAI-compliant 160-series numbers. Your calls are compliant from day one. If you want to use a custom branded number or specific registered headers for your business, contact the Vyora team and we will guide you through the process.
How long does DLT registration take?
Entity registration: 1-3 business days for KYC verification. Header approval: 1-3 business days. Template approval: 24-72 hours per template. Total timeline: typically 5-7 business days from start to first call. Keep a set of pre-approved generic templates ready while awaiting custom template approvals.
Start compliant AI calling — no DLT setup needed
Vyora handles the 160-series compliance layer. Your AI calling campaigns are TRAI-compliant from the first call. 50 free credits to start.
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