India: Caller name display service for telecom users from November 1

Starting November 1, 2026, telecom users in India will be able to see the caller's name alongside the phone number on incoming calls, thanks to a new Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service mandated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Telecom operators will automatically provide the CNAP service to eligible users, eliminating the need for separate requests.

The caller's name will merge with the Calling Line Identification (CLI), which currently only shows the phone number. When the caller's number is in the recipient's contact list, the saved contact name will appear. For unknown numbers, the subscriber database will display the caller's name. International calls will be labeled as "International Call."

The CNAP framework aligns with Rule 48(1) of the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026, which mandates secure presentation of calling line identification and prevents tampering. To ensure user privacy and network security, telecom operators must follow a "security-by-design" approach.

The guidelines also allow businesses and bulk customers to display a preferred name instead of the subscriber record name, provided it is a registered trademark or trade name on the GST portal.