THE Indian government has ordered telecom service providers to display the caller’s registered name alongside the number for incoming calls on 4G and newer networks, with the change taking effect from 1 November 2026. The move, outlined in a circular from the Department of Telecommunications dated 13 October 2026, introduces the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service to help recipients identify unknown numbers and curb spam and fraud.
The CNAP system will show the caller name sourced from the originating operator’s subscriber database in the second field of the calling line identification, after showing the number in the first field. If the number is in the recipient’s contacts, that name will be used; otherwise, the CNAP name from the operator’s database will be displayed for domestic calls, with “International Call” appearing for calls from outside India. The rollout is focused on wireless networks 4G and beyond, with 2G/3G and PSTN CNAP to be considered separately later.
To enable CNAP, originating operators must maintain a database mapping numbers to subscriber names, which receiving networks will query to present the caller identity. The guidelines also require a CLIR (Calling Line Identification Restriction) option for users who wish to hide their identity.
The circular emphasises a secure-by-design approach, including rules to prevent retention of the name after call completion and to ensure service quality, with proper provisioning of the necessary databases and infrastructure. A “preferred name” option is available for certain business or bulk connections, to be validated through proofs such as a Trade Marks Registry entry or GST registration. This appears to be a regulatory framework note rather than a report of exploitation or incident.