Caller Name Display Mandatory from November 1: Government Directs Telecom Operators
Caller Name Along with Phone Number: DoT Makes CNAP Service Mandatory from November 1
News Desk: The government has directed all telecom service providers to roll out the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service across the country from November 1, enabling mobile users to see the caller’s name along with their phone number when receiving a call.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has instructed telecom operators to implement the service across all telecom service areas. The facility will display the caller’s name as registered in the subscriber database of the originating telecom operator, helping recipients identify incoming callers even when their numbers are not saved in their contact lists.
International Calls to Carry Special Identification
Under the new system, incoming international calls from unsaved numbers will be displayed with the label “International Call”. This will help users distinguish such calls from domestic calls and provide additional information about the origin of incoming communications.
The service will be made available to telecom subscribers automatically, without requiring them to submit a separate request or activate the facility individually.
No more guessing who’s calling!
From November 1, India is set to introduce a caller ID mandate requiring telecom operators to display callers’ registered names.
But will this help you avoid spam calls, or raise new privacy concerns? https://t.co/olOTv2AURT
— WION (@WIONews) October 15, 2026
Trials Completed on 4G and Advanced Networks
According to the Department of Telecommunications, telecom service providers have already conducted trials of CNAP on wireless terrestrial networks operating on 4G and higher-generation technologies.
However, the introduction of the service on networks based on older 2G and 3G technologies, as well as on Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN), will be examined separately.
The nationwide rollout is expected to make caller identification more accessible to telecom users. By displaying the registered name alongside the phone number, the facility could help people identify unknown callers and make more informed decisions about answering incoming calls.
The effectiveness of the service in combating unwanted calls and telephone fraud will depend, among other factors, on the accuracy of subscriber records and the measures adopted by telecom operators to address misuse.
