Stories
India Set to Launch Default CNAP Caller ID Service from November
- •The Department of Telecommunications has directed telecom operators to introduce the Calling Name Presentation service starting November 1.
- •The feature will be enabled by default on 4G and 5G networks, offering a built-in alternative to third-party apps like Truecaller.
- •For unsaved numbers, the system will retrieve the registered name from the originating operator database, while international calls will show as International Call.
- •Privacy safeguards ensure caller names are not retained after the call ends, and users with Calling Line Identification Restriction will be excluded.
- •Businesses can display preferred trade names by verifying them through trademark registration or the GST portal.
Key Questions Answered
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has instructed telecom operators to introduce the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service starting on November 1, 2026. Under this directive, the feature will be activated by default for users on 4G and 5G networks to help identify unknown callers.
The initial rollout of the CNAP service will not cover older 2G and 3G networks, nor public switched telephone networks. The DoT stated that introducing the feature to these legacy networks would be examined separately.
Businesses and bulk connection users may display a preferred name instead of their subscriber database record if it meets specific verification requirements. The alternative name must be a trademark registered with the Trade Marks Registry or a trade name registered on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal.
