Receiving calls from unknown numbers could soon become less of a mystery. Also, you may not need apps like Truecaller to identify callers. The government has directed telecom operators to introduce Calling
Name Presentation (CNAP), a system that displays the caller’s name and phone number on the recipient’s screen. The rollout is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2026.
According to an order issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), CNAP will be activated by default for users on 4G and newer mobile networks, including 5G. The implementation of the system on 2G and 3G networks, as well as public switched telephone networks, will be considered separately.
How Will The Caller Name Display System Work?
When someone calls you, your phone will show the caller’s number along with their name. If the number is already saved in your contacts, the name stored in your phonebook will appear. For unsaved domestic numbers, the name registered with the caller’s telecom operator will be displayed.
Calls originating from international numbers will be labelled “International Call”, according to the DoT order.
To make this possible, telecom operators will need to create and maintain databases linking subscribers’ names with their mobile numbers. When a call comes in, the recipient’s operator will retrieve the caller’s registered name from the relevant database and display it on the screen.
The system will also include privacy safeguards. Under the prescribed security-by-design approach, an operator cannot retain the caller’s name obtained through the query-response mechanism after the call ends. Additionally, the names of subscribers who have opted for Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) will not be displayed.
Businesses Can Display Registered Trade Names
The new system will also account for businesses and bulk mobile connections. Telecom operators may allow these subscribers to display a preferred name instead of the name recorded in their subscriber database.
However, the preferred name must meet specific requirements. It must either be a trademark registered in the subscriber’s name with the Trade Marks Registry or a trade name registered on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal.
Telecom operators will be responsible for verifying the requested name and the supporting documents. Existing subscribers who want to use a preferred business name will need to submit an application to update their details.
Why Is The Government Introducing CNAP?
The decision follows trials of the caller identification system on 4G and 5G networks in recent months. It also builds on recommendations issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in February 2024.
In October 2025, TRAI supported the DoT’s proposal to make CNAP available by default. This marked a shift from its original recommendation, which suggested that the service should be activated only when subscribers requested it.
With the proposed rollout, callers using 4G and 5G networks will be able to see the registered names associated with incoming numbers without relying solely on third-party caller identification apps. However, the system will display registered subscriber details, and its effectiveness will depend on the accuracy of the information maintained by telecom operators.
