The National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) on November 27, 2025, issued the notification regarding the Directions issued by TRAI for Mandatory Variable Tagging and Template Validation Timelines.
The following has been stated namely: -
• TRAI Direction mandates strict controls to prevent misuse of SMS Headers and Content Templates under TCCCPR 2018.
• All variable fields in SMS templates must be labelled with content type, purpose, and validation criteria; templates must also be scrubbed against pre-whitelisted URLs, OTT/APK links, and callback numbers.
• Timelines: -
o Within 10 days: All new SMS templates must follow the new pre-tagging standards before approval.
o Within 30 days: Access Providers must begin automated scrubbing and validation of the tagged variables.
o Within 60 days of scrubbing start: All existing templates must be updated; first 60 days operate in logger mode with fault messages, after which non-compliant messages will be rejected outright.
[Notification No. NSDL/POLICY/2025/0156]
