The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a circular directing telecom service providers (TSPs) to implement Calling Name Presentation (CNAP). The government has directed telecom operators to display callers’ registered names alongside their phone numbers for incoming calls starting November 1, 2026.
The service is primarily intended for wireless networks using 4G and newer technologies. The progress comes as government bodies aim to help users identify unknown callers and tackle spam and fraudulent calls.
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How India’s CNAP Caller ID System Will Work
Under the new rules, incoming calls will display the caller’s number in the first field and their name in the second. If the number is saved in the recipient’s contacts, the existing contact name will appear. For unsaved domestic numbers, the name recorded in the originating telecom operator’s subscriber database will be displayed.
Calls originating outside India will carry the label “International Call”.
To support the service, the operator placing the call must maintain a database linking subscribers’ names with their phone numbers. The receiving operator will query that database to retrieve the caller’s identity and display it on the recipient’s device.
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Privacy Rules and Business Caller Name Options
The Communications Ministry has asked operators to adopt a secure-by-design approach. Operators must not retain calling names after an incoming call ends, while service quality must remain compliant with applicable laws.
Operators must also establish the database, network, and connectivity infrastructure needed to process caller-identity requests efficiently.
The guidelines require telecom providers to offer Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR), allowing users to hide their caller identity when making calls.
Businesses and users with bulk connections can opt for a “preferred name” instead of the registered subscriber name. This must be either a trademark registered with the Trade Marks Registry or a trade name recorded on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal.
For new connections, the preferred name must appear on the customer application form & in the subscriber database. Applicants must provide the originating operator with original supporting documents and attach verified copies to the application.
Also Read: India to Roll Out Verified Caller ID: No More Spam Calls!
Will CNAP Cover 2G and 3G Networks?
The initial rollout targets 4G and newer terrestrial wireless networks. The government said it would consider implementation for 2G and 3G networks, as well as public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), separately after review.
The November 1 rollout will put the focus on how consistently operators display registered caller names while meeting the new privacy and infrastructure requirements. The service is intended to make identifying unknown callers easier, but its effectiveness will depend on how telecom networks implement it.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
