New rule from November 1: Full details of the caller will appear on the screen; users of all networks, from Jio to Airtel, will benefit..

Indian mobile users will soon be able to get rid of unwanted and spam calls from unknown numbers once and for all. The Government of India is set to implement a new and essential Caller ID regulation for all mobile users in the country. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to roll out the 'Calling Name Presentation' (CNAP) service nationwide, effective November 1, 2026.

This will serve as India’s official and verified caller identification system. It will display both the caller's phone number and their actual name—specifically, the name associated with the SIM card registration. According to the government's new mandate, the CNAP service will be activated by default across all 4G and 5G mobile networks in the country; users will not need to adjust any settings. The government will consider its implementation for older 2G and 3G networks at a later stage.

How will the new Caller ID system work?
Under the new guidelines from the Department of Telecommunications, the entire process is designed to be highly transparent and secure. When a call arrives, the caller's number will appear in one part of the screen, while the name you have saved for that contact will appear in another. If the number is not saved in your phone, the system will display the caller's official, registered name—as recorded in the government's SIM card database—for domestic calls.

For calls originating from abroad, the screen will display "International Call" instead of a name. The system has been built with stringent security measures: immediately after a call ends, the caller's name will be automatically removed from the database, and the telecom operator will not be permitted to store this information. Furthermore, for individuals who have already opted for the government-provided 'Calling Line Identification Restriction' (CLIR) facility for privacy reasons, their names will not be displayed on the screen.

Rules for Companies and Business Connections
This new regulation introduces a highly transparent system for large companies. Business entities can choose to display their brand name on the screen instead of the name registered against their SIM card. For this, the name must either be a registered trademark or the official business name as recorded on the GST portal. Telecom operators are required to verify this name—along with the associated official government documentation—before approving the update.

It is worth noting that prior to this decision, the technology underwent several successful trials over the past few months across various 4G and 5G networks in the country. This directive is based on recommendations made by the telecom regulator, TRAI, in February 2024. In October 2025, TRAI fully endorsed a proposal from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to keep this service active by default for all customers, ensuring that every citizen in the country remains well-protected against online fraud and unknown callers.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.