The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a directive on 21 November 2025 requiring every licensed carrier to enable Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) across its service areas from November 1, 2026. The move will replace the current system where only numbers are shown, letting callers’ names appear on recipients’ screens on 4G and newer networks. Operators must build and maintain databases linking subscriber names to their identifiers, and the system will automatically fetch the name when a call terminates.
Under the new scheme, a call from a saved contact will display that contact’s name; an unsaved domestic number will pull the name stored in the originating operator’s subscriber record; and any international call will simply read “International Call.” The directive also clarifies that the service will not apply to 2G, 3G, or landline circuits until a separate rollout plan is finalized.
Certain users will still see only the number. Those who have opted for Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) will bypass CNAP. Businesses wishing to display a preferred trade name must register the name with the Trade Marks Registry or GST portal and submit original documents to the operator, which will then attach verified copies to the customer’s file.
Telecom operators are expected to begin CNAP implementation immediately, with the first batch of 4G networks to go live by the end of the month. The DoT will monitor compliance and may issue further instructions on KYC verification and database security. The rollout marks the start of a nationwide shift toward more transparent calling practices.