SMS sender IDs in India follow a defined format under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) commercial communication framework. These sender IDs, also known as SMS headers, help identify the business or organization sending a message.

A typical Indian SMS sender ID includes a telecom access provider prefix, a service area code, a registered header, and, where applicable, a message category suffix. Understanding this structure helps businesses and developers recognize SMS sender IDs and understand how DLT-compliant messaging works in India.

What Is an SMS Sender ID in India?

An SMS sender ID is an alphanumeric identifier displayed as the sender of an SMS on a recipient's mobile phone. Under TRAI's Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018, these identifiers are known as headers.

A registered header identifies the Principal Entity (PE), such as a business, bank, institution, or government organization, sending commercial communications.

For example, a sender ID may appear in a format such as JD-IPAYTM-T, where the components identify the originating access provider and service area, the registered entity header, and the applicable message category.

What Is the Indian SMS Sender ID Format?

The traditional Indian SMS header structure is represented as:

XY-ABCDEF

The components are:

• X: Code identifying the originating telecom service provider or access provider.

• Y: Code identifying the provider's Licensed Service Area (LSA).

• ABCDEF: The alphanumeric header assigned to the Principal Entity.

Under the current framework, a message category suffix may also be displayed where applicable.

For example, a sender ID may appear as JD-IPAYTM-T.

The first character identifies the originating access provider. The following table reproduces the provider codes listed in TRAI's published header-prefix reference.

The second character identifies the originating access provider's Licensed Service Area. These codes are also referred to as telecom circle or region codes.

Message category suffixes help distinguish the purpose or category of a commercial message. Under the relevant header-identification implementation, these suffixes may appear at the end of the displayed sender ID.

For example, a header may be displayed with -P, -S, -T, or -G, depending on the category assigned under the applicable rules and telecom provider implementation.

1. What is the SMS sender ID format in India?

The traditional format is XY-ABCDEF. The first character identifies the originating telecom access provider, the second identifies its Licensed Service Area, and the remaining characters represent the registered entity header. A category suffix may also be displayed where applicable.

2. What does the first letter in an Indian SMS sender ID mean?

The first letter identifies the originating access provider. For example, A is associated with Bharti Airtel and J with Reliance Jio Infocomm in the published prefix reference.

3. What does the second letter in an SMS sender ID mean?

The second letter identifies the originating access provider's Licensed Service Area. For example, D represents Delhi and M represents Mumbai in the published code list.

4. What do P, S, T and G mean at the end of an SMS sender ID?

These suffixes are used to identify message categories: P for promotional, S for service, T for transactional, and G for government communications, subject to the applicable header-identification requirements.

5. How can I verify an SMS sender ID in India?

Check the complete displayed sender ID against the latest header information published by TRAI and the relevant telecom access provider. Do not rely solely on the sender ID to determine whether a message is genuine.

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