New Delhi: India is preparing to introduce a new caller identification system that will make it easier for mobile users to recognise incoming calls from numbers they have not saved in their contact lists. The service, known as Calling Name Presentation (CNAP), is scheduled to be introduced from November 1, 2026, following a directive issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
Under the new system, the caller’s name will appear alongside their phone number on the recipient’s screen. The name will be retrieved from the subscriber records maintained by the telecom operator from which the call originates. Users will not need to download third-party applications or complete a separate registration process to access the facility.
If a phone number is already saved in the recipient’s contacts, the name stored on the device will continue to appear. For an unsaved domestic number, the system will display the caller’s name as recorded in the telecom operator’s subscriber database.
The initial rollout will cover wireless networks operating on 4G and newer technologies. The implementation of the service on 2G, 3G and landline networks will be examined separately by the authorities.
According to the reported guidelines, incoming international calls will be identified with the label “International Call” rather than displaying a caller name through the domestic subscriber-name system. Users who have activated Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) under applicable rules will also be exempt from having their names displayed.
The DoT has also directed telecom operators to implement safeguards to protect subscriber information. The system must be designed to prevent the retrieved caller-name information from being retained after a call ends. Operators will also be required to establish grievance redressal mechanisms to address complaints related to CNAP.
The introduction of CNAP could reduce users’ dependence on third-party caller identification applications by providing name information directly through telecom networks. However, the displayed name will depend on the accuracy of the operator’s subscriber records, and the feature should not be treated as a guarantee that a call is genuine or safe.
The directive follows recommendations made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in February 2024 concerning the introduction of Calling Name Presentation in Indian telecommunications networks.
With the November 1 rollout approaching, CNAP is expected to bring a network-based caller identification facility to supported mobile connections across India, making it easier for users to identify unknown numbers without installing an additional application.
