On 1 November 2026, India will introduce a new caller identification system that will automatically display a name on the screen when a call comes from an unknown number. The change applies to every smartphone user across the country and is being rolled out as a default feature, meaning no manual adjustment of settings will be required.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is the body responsible for implementing the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service. According to the regulator, the service will go live on the specified date and will be active for all eligible mobile subscribers without any opt-in process.
When a call is received, the number shown on the display will be replaced by the name recorded in the SIM card's Know Your Customer (KYC) database. This name reflects the identity under which the SIM was originally purchased, not necessarily the person who is currently using the SIM if it has been registered under someone else's name.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is the government arm that will make the CNAP service available to all 4G and 5G subscribers.
The primary purpose of the CNAP rollout is to curb cyber fraud and spam calls. By making the caller's registered name visible, authorities aim to provide recipients with a clearer indication of who is trying to reach them.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is the government arm that will make the CNAP service available to all 4G and 5G subscribers. The DoT's involvement ensures that the technical infrastructure required for the name-presentation function is in place across the newer mobile networks.
The service will be provided to customers using 4G and 5G networks. The brief specifically notes that 2G networks are not part of this rollout, implying that users still relying on older generation technology will not see the new name display.
Because the feature is enabled by default, users will not need to navigate menus or change any settings to benefit from the new caller ID. The name will appear automatically on the screen whenever an unknown number calls.
The initiative has received explicit backing from the Indian government, the Department of Telecommunications, and TRAI. All three entities are described as supportive of the measure, and the rule is set to take effect precisely on 1 November 2026, after which the new caller ID display will become the standard for eligible mobile users.