India's Department of Telecommunications has directed all telecom service providers to implement Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) from November 1, 2026. The service will show the caller's registered name in a second field below the phone number on incoming calls, helping recipients identify unknown callers and avoid spam or fraudulent calls. The mandate currently covers 4G and higher-generation wireless networks; a rollout for 2G, 3G, and public switched telephone networks will be examined separately.
Under the new rules, if the number is already saved in the callee's contacts, that saved name will appear. Otherwise, the name stored in the originating operator's subscriber database will be displayed for domestic calls, while international calls will be labeled as such. To support this, every originating operator must maintain a database mapping subscriber names to numbers, and the receiving operator will query that database during each call.
The Ministry of Communications also asks operators to adopt a secure-by-design approach, including not retaining the calling name identity after the call ends and maintaining quality of service. Users can opt into a Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) facility to hide their identity when making calls. Business and bulk connection users may choose a preferred name, provided it matches a registered trademark or a trade name on the GST portal, with supporting documents verified at the time of connection. The source does not mention any opposition or implementation concerns, so the article reflects only the official circular's details.{