Inustry Odisha Bureau, Oct 15: Mobile users in India are set to see callers’ names alongside phone numbers from November 1, 2026. This comes as the government introduces Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) on 4G and 5G networks.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom operators to display names using subscriber details stored in their databases. The system aims to help users identify unknown callers and recognise potential fraud. Implementation on 2G and 3G networks and landlines will be considered separately.
When a call arrives, the recipient will see the caller’s name and number. If the number is saved in their contacts, the stored name will appear. Otherwise, the name registered with the telecom operator will be displayed. International calls will be labelled “International Call.”
Operators must maintain databases linking subscribers’ names with their phone numbers to provide the information during incoming calls.
The DoT has also introduced privacy safeguards. Caller information retrieved through the CNAP system cannot be retained after a call ends. Subscribers using Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) will be exempt, and their names will not appear through the service.
Businesses may be allowed to display alternative names if supported by a registered trademark or a trade name registered on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal. Telecom operators will verify the supporting documents, and subscribers must request any changes.
The rollout follows 4G and 5G network trials and recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. TRAI supported making CNAP available by default in October 2025, following its February 2024 recommendations.
