Caller's name, along with their phone number, will appear on unknown calls; CNAP to be implemented for 4G-5G users starting November 1st..

Calls from unknown numbers will no longer bother you, as the name of the person calling will now appear on your mobile screen. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed all telecom companies to implement these guidelines, effective November 1, 2026. With the government making Caller ID mandatory for mobile phone users, you will no longer receive truly "unknown" calls. The DoT has mandated the implementation of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP)—a verified caller identification system for the country—which will display both the caller's number and their name. According to the DoT's directive, CNAP will be automatically enabled for all users on 4G and 5G networks; when a call is received, the system will display the caller's name and number. Separate arrangements will be made for the implementation of this system on 2G and 3G networks, as well as on the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

How will Caller ID work?
When a call arrives, the caller's number will appear on the screen, alongside the name (if the number is already saved in the recipient's contacts). If the number is not saved, the system will display the name associated with that number in the telecom operator's database for domestic calls. For international calls, the screen will indicate that it is an "international call." Every telecom company is required to maintain a database containing the names and numbers of its subscribers. When a mobile call is received, the operator will retrieve the name from this database and display it to the recipient.

Option to display an alternative name
Operators are required to adhere to strict security protocols from the outset; the caller's name cannot be stored after the call has ended. For users who have opted for the Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) feature, their names will not be displayed. In the case of corporate or bulk connections, companies may be given the option to display a different name—other than the one officially recorded—for their subscribers. This name must either be a trademark registered in the user's name with the Trademarks Registry—for instance, a trade name registered on the GST portal—or otherwise documented. Telecom operators will be required to verify this name and the associated supporting documents. Existing customers will need to submit an application to update their preferred name.

New TRAI Regulation
This directive follows trials conducted on 4G and 5G networks over the past few months. It also references recommendations made by TRAI in February 2024. In October 2025, TRAI approved the Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) proposal to make CNAP (Calling Name Presentation) available by default. In its original recommendation, TRAI had suggested that the feature be activated only upon request.

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