New Rule from November 1: Millions of Smartphone Users in India to See Unknown Callers' Names

New Delhi: It will now be easier than ever to identify calls coming from unknown numbers on mobile phones. Telecom companies in the country are going to implement Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service from November 1, 2026. Under this, when a call is received from an unknown number, not only the mobile number but also the name of the person calling will be visible on the smartphone screen. This name will be displayed based on the KYC records of the customer available with the telecom operator. The feature aims to help people identify unknown calls while curbing fake calls, spam and cyber fraud. 

What is CNAP service and how will it work?

CNAP i.e. Calling Name Presentation is a feature that will show the name of the person calling through the mobile network on the receiver's screen. Till now, normally when a call is received from an unknown number, only the mobile number is visible. In the new system, telecom operators will use the names recorded in their subscriber database.

For this, the mobile user will not need to download any separate app or register. Telecom companies will provide this facility through their networks. This means that dependency on third party apps like Truecaller can be reduced. 

What if the number is already saved?

Even after the implementation of the new system, the name saved for saved numbers will still appear in the phone's contact list as before. For example, if a person's number is saved in his name in the phone, then when a call comes, the same name will appear on the screen. But if the number is not saved, the name recorded in the records of the telecom company will appear. This means that it can be easy to identify calls coming from unknown numbers.

On which mobile networks will the facility be available?

Initially CNAP service will be implemented on 4G and 5G networks. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has instructed all authorised telecom companies to launch it on their networks from November 1. At present, the decision to implement this facility on landline along with 2G and 3G networks will be taken later. 

Will foreign numbers also be recognised?

Under the new system, the distinction between domestic calls and calls coming from abroad will also be made clear. If the call comes from abroad, instead of showing the name of the caller, 'International Call' will appear on the screen. At the same time, the names of users who have used the facility to hide caller ID i.e. CLIR, will not be displayed. 

Will this stop fake and spam calls?

One of the major objectives of this initiative of the government is to reduce spam calls and cyber frauds. The name appearing alongside the unknown number can help people understand whether the call is coming from a known person, company, or other source.

However, this feature also has its limitations. The name visible on the screen will depend on the records of the telecom company. If the SIM card is registered in someone else's name or there is incorrect information in the KYC record, the name of the registered customer may appear instead of the actual person making the call. Therefore, it would not be right to consider a call completely secure just by looking at the name. 

Overall, the CNAP service, which will be implemented from November 1, will become a new option for mobile users to identify the caller. This will make it easier to understand unknown calls, but it will still be necessary to be cautious to avoid cyber fraud.