Key Highlights
- The rule: Telecom operators must roll out Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) from November 1, 2026.
- What you’ll see: The caller’s name as registered with their telecom operator, alongside the number.
- Automatic: No request needed; it will be enabled for eligible users.
- Coverage first: 4G and 5G networks; 2G, 3G and landlines will be considered later.
- Saved contacts: Your own saved name for a contact will still appear first.
From November 1, 2026, mobile users in India will start seeing the name of the person calling them, not just the number. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom operators to implement Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) across their service areas.
The service will be enabled automatically for eligible users, without any need to apply.
How It Will Work
| Situation | What appears on your screen |
|---|---|
| Number saved in your contacts | Your saved contact name |
| Number not saved (domestic call) | Name in the caller’s telecom operator records |
| International call | “International Call” |
| Business or bulk caller | A preferred name, if it is a registered trademark or GST-registered trade name |
The caller’s name will become part of the Calling Line Identification (CLI), which currently shows only the number.
Who Gets It First
Operators have already tested CNAP on 4G and 5G networks, so the rollout starts there. Its use on 2G, 3G and landline networks will be decided after further examination.
Why It Matters: A New Weapon Against Fraud Calls
Until now, many people have relied on third-party caller ID apps to identify unknown numbers. Those apps often depend on crowdsourced names, which can be wrong or easily manipulated. CNAP is different: the name comes from the telecom operator’s official subscriber records, which are linked to KYC verification.
That matters because phone fraud is a serious problem. Indians lost more than ₹22,800 crore to cyber fraud in 2024, according to the government, with scams involving impersonation and fake “digital arrests.” When an unknown caller claims to be from a bank or police but the screen shows a different name, users get an instant warning sign.
CNAP is not a complete solution, though. Fraudsters often use SIMs registered in other people’s names, which is why the government has also been disconnecting lakhs of fraudulent connections through its AI-based verification tool.
Privacy Safeguards
Operators must follow a “security-by-design” approach. The system that fetches caller names must not keep the caller’s identity once the call ends, and networks must be equipped to handle CNAP requests without hurting call quality.
What You Should Do
- Check your own registered name: Make sure the name on your SIM records is correct, since others will now see it.
- Stay alert: A displayed name helps, but always verify suspicious calls independently.
- Report fraud: Use the Sanchar Saathi app’s Chakshu feature, or call 1930 if you’ve lost money.
From November 1, your phone will tell you who’s calling, using official records rather than guesswork. It won’t stop every scam, but it gives millions of users one more line of defence.
With inputs from IANS.
Key Highlights
- The rule: Telecom operators must roll out Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) from November 1, 2026.
- What you’ll see: The caller’s name as registered with their telecom operator, alongside the number.
- Automatic: No request needed; it will be enabled for eligible users.
- Coverage first: 4G and 5G networks; 2G, 3G and landlines will be considered later.
- Saved contacts: Your own saved name for a contact will still appear first.
From November 1, 2026, mobile users in India will start seeing the name of the person calling them, not just the number. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom operators to implement Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) across their service areas.
The service will be enabled automatically for eligible users, without any need to apply.
How It Will Work
| Situation | What appears on your screen |
|---|---|
| Number saved in your contacts | Your saved contact name |
| Number not saved (domestic call) | Name in the caller’s telecom operator records |
| International call | “International Call” |
| Business or bulk caller | A preferred name, if it is a registered trademark or GST-registered trade name |
The caller’s name will become part of the Calling Line Identification (CLI), which currently shows only the number.
Who Gets It First
Operators have already tested CNAP on 4G and 5G networks, so the rollout starts there. Its use on 2G, 3G and landline networks will be decided after further examination.
Why It Matters: A New Weapon Against Fraud Calls
Until now, many people have relied on third-party caller ID apps to identify unknown numbers. Those apps often depend on crowdsourced names, which can be wrong or easily manipulated. CNAP is different: the name comes from the telecom operator’s official subscriber records, which are linked to KYC verification.
That matters because phone fraud is a serious problem. Indians lost more than ₹22,800 crore to cyber fraud in 2024, according to the government, with scams involving impersonation and fake “digital arrests.” When an unknown caller claims to be from a bank or police but the screen shows a different name, users get an instant warning sign.
CNAP is not a complete solution, though. Fraudsters often use SIMs registered in other people’s names, which is why the government has also been disconnecting lakhs of fraudulent connections through its AI-based verification tool.
Privacy Safeguards
Operators must follow a “security-by-design” approach. The system that fetches caller names must not keep the caller’s identity once the call ends, and networks must be equipped to handle CNAP requests without hurting call quality.
What You Should Do
- Check your own registered name: Make sure the name on your SIM records is correct, since others will now see it.
- Stay alert: A displayed name helps, but always verify suspicious calls independently.
- Report fraud: Use the Sanchar Saathi app’s Chakshu feature, or call 1930 if you’ve lost money.
From November 1, your phone will tell you who’s calling, using official records rather than guesswork. It won’t stop every scam, but it gives millions of users one more line of defence.
With inputs from IANS.