Caller Name Display Mandatory From Nov 1: How India's New CNAP Rule Will Work

Indian telecom operators will have to implement the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) feature on 4G and above mobile networks from November 1, 2026, based on a directive issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

The service displays the caller’s name next to their phone number on the recipient’s phone screen. The caller’s name will be based on subscriber records maintained by the telecommunications operator with which the caller is registered.

In a circular dated October 13, the DoT said that telecom operators have conducted trials to roll out CNAP in 4G and higher generation networks.

“All telecommunication service providers… are hereby instructed to introduce Calling Name Presentation service in their telecommunication networks in all service areas with effect from November 1, 2026,” the circular said.

The move is intended to help users identify incoming callers and address concerns about online scams. However, this service does not mean a blanket ban on spam calls or a guarantee that fraudulent callers will be identified.

Here’s how the new caller name display rule will work, what mobile users need to know and which calls will be covered.

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What is CNAP and how will it work?

Calling Name Presentation, or CNAP, is a telecommunications service that displays the name associated with an incoming caller’s number.

As per DoT guidelines, the caller’s phone number will continue to be displayed while the caller’s name will be displayed in a separate field. The service will be provided to users without having to submit a separate application.

The circular states that the caller’s name will be taken from the subscriber’s data record maintained by the original telecommunications service provider.

For recipients who have already saved the caller’s number in their contact list, the saved name will take precedence. If the number is not stored, the name recorded by the caller’s telecommunications operator will be displayed for domestic calls.

This means users will not have to install a separate app or submit a request to their telecom operator to access the service, according to the directive.

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When will caller name display be mandatory in India?

DoT has directed telecom operators holding relevant licenses or authorizations to implement CNAP in all service areas from November 1, 2026.

The initial rollout covers wireless terrestrial networks using 4G and next-generation technologies.

“The introduction of caller name presentation service in wireless land networks established using 2G and 3G technologies and public switched telephone networks will be considered separately after examining the matter,” the circular said.

This means that the Directive does not set a roll-out date for 2G and 3G networks or fixed telephone services.

What name comes up when someone calls?

The display name will depend on whether the recipient has saved the caller’s number and whether the call is from India or overseas.

Under DoT circular:

Saved Contacts: The name saved in the recipient’s contact list will take precedence over the name provided by the operator.
Unsaved home numbers: The name recorded in the subscriber database of the original telecommunications operator will be displayed next to the number.
International calls: If the number is not stored in the recipient’s contact list, the words “International call” will appear on the screen.
Business Connection: Eligible bulk subscribers may be allowed to display a verified preferred name instead of a name on their subscriber records.

The service is intended to provide additional information about callers. However, the display of a name on the screen should not be taken as conclusive evidence that the call is genuine.

How will businesses be identified under the CNAP?

The DoT has made separate provisions for businesses and bulk users who want the preferred name to be displayed on the recipients’ screens.

The preferred name can be a trademark registered in the user’s name as per the Trade Marks Register or a trade name registered on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal. The original telecom operator must verify the name before approval.

For new connections, telecommunications operators must record the preferred name in the customer request form and in the subscriber’s data record. Supporting documents proving registration must also be submitted and verified.

For existing connections, operators must implement a mechanism to allow subscribers to request that their preferred names be recorded in the subscriber database.

“For an existing connection, the originating TSP shall create a suitable mechanism to enable the user to make the required request to record his preferred name in the subscriber data record and after examination and proper verification of such application, such user’s preferred name may be updated by the originating TSP in the subscriber data record,” the circular said.

These requirements are to ensure that trade names displayed through CNAP are supported by verified registration records.

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Will CNAP display the name of each caller?

No. The DoT circular provides an exemption for subscribers who have opted for Caller ID Restriction (CLIR) as per the existing guidelines.

The names of callers who have used Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) under the current rule will not be displayed within the CNAP service.

The directive also leaves separate consideration of the introduction of CNAP in 2G and 3G networks and fixed telephone networks.

How will telecom operators protect caller information?

The DoT circular requires telecom service providers to implement technical safeguards while implementing CNAP.

These include a security-by-design approach in which the query-response mechanism must prevent the identity of the caller’s name from being preserved after the incoming call has completed. Operators must also ensure that their databases, networks and connectivity infrastructure can process caller name queries and provide information in a timely manner.

The directive further requires telecom operators to put in place grievance redressal mechanisms to receive and resolve service-related complaints within a specified time frame.

Thus, users who see the wrong caller name can contact their telecom operator through their complaints mechanism.

Will the new rule eliminate spam calls and online scams?

CNAP is designed to facilitate caller identification by displaying the name associated with the phone number. This can help users assess unknown calls before deciding whether to answer them.

However, displaying the caller’s name alone cannot confirm that the caller is trustworthy. Fraudsters may use deceptive tactics and the Service should not be construed as a guarantee that spam calls, impersonation or financial fraud will be eliminated.

Users should continue to be cautious when callers ask for one-time passwords, bank credentials, money transfers or other sensitive information, even if a name appears on the screen.