Now spot spam SMS instantly: New labels introduced by telecom operators

New Delhi: Mobile users in India will now find it easier to identify spam messages, thanks to a new SMS labelling system rolled out by telecom operators. Under this system, every message you receive will now have a letter prefix that tells you what type of message it is; whether it's a promotional ad, a service update, a transaction alert, or a government communication.

The initiative was implemented by all telecom service providers (TSPs) including Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea as per new rules under the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR) amended in February 2025.

What you’ll see: New SMS header codes

From now on, text messages will include a single-letter tag before the sender ID to indicate the message category:

P-  Promotional (ads, offers, marketing)

S- Service-related (like updates from your mobile operator or utility provider)

T- Transactional (like OTPs, banking alerts)

G- Government messages (from official agencies or departments)

How does this help you

This system allows you to quickly spot what kind of message you’ve received just by glancing at the prefix:

You can ignore or delete 'P' messages if you’re not interested in marketing.

You’ll know that a message marked 'T' or 'S' is likely genuine, especially for things like bank OTPs or service reminders.

Messages marked 'G' are from verified government bodies.

According to COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India), this step will significantly cut down on SMS spam, increase user trust, and help prevent fraud.

Concern: Messaging apps still unregulated

However, COAI also flagged a growing concern that scammers are increasingly switching to messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, which currently don’t fall under this SMS regulation. This loophole is being exploited to send fraudulent or spam messages that bypass telecom filters.

COAI Director General SP Kochhar called for a unified consent and regulation framework that would include these Over-The-Top (OTT) apps, to **ensure full protection for consumers and close regulatory gaps.