India Mandates Registered Caller Name Display on 4G and Newer Networks From November 1

India Orders Caller Name Display on 4G and Newer Networks

The Indian government has directed telecom service providers to mandatorily display callers' registered names alongside their numbers for incoming calls starting November 1, 2026. The Department of Telecommunications issued the directive through a circular dated October 13, 2026, urging operators to implement the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service. The move is intended to help people identify calls from unknown numbers and tackle spam or fraudulent calls.

How the CNAP Service Works

Under the new guidelines, the first field on a recipient's screen will continue to show the caller's number, as is existing practice. The second field will display the calling name in a set order of preference. If the number is already saved in the recipient's contacts, the corresponding contact name is shown. If the number is not saved, the calling name identity stored in the telecom operator's subscriber database is displayed for domestic calls. Calls originating from outside India will carry the label "International Call".

The calling name identity is the name of the calling user as recorded in the subscriber data record of the originating telecom service provider, and it is included in the calling line identification of that user. To support the service, every originating operator must establish and maintain a database mapping subscribers' names to their numbers. The operator on the receiving end of the call will query this database to retrieve the calling name identity and present it to the user.

Scope and Security Requirements

The caller ID system is mainly targeted at wireless terrestrial networks established using 4G and higher generation technologies. The circular noted that a CNAP rollout for 2G and 3G networks, as well as public switched telephone networks, will be taken up separately after examination.

The Ministry of Communications is urging operators to adopt a secure-by-design approach when implementing the system. Among the requirements, the calling name identity must not be retained upon completion of the incoming call, quality of service must be maintained in accordance with applicable laws, and the necessary database, network, and connectivity infrastructure must be provisioned to support efficient processing of calling name identity queries. Telecom operators are also expected to provide a Calling Line Identification Restriction facility, allowing users to choose to hide their caller identity when making calls.

Preferred Names for Business Connections

Users with business connections or bulk connections can opt for a "preferred name" that replaces the calling name identity. The preferred name must be either a trade mark registered in the name of the user as per the records of the Trade Marks Registry under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, or a trade name of the user as registered on the Goods and Services Tax portal.

For new connections, the preferred name must be recorded in both the customer application form and the subscriber data record. Documents evidencing proof that the user is registered under such name must be presented in original to the originating operator, and true copies must be attached to the customer application form.

Sources: The Hacker News