When Shantaram More answers a mobile phone in New Delhi, the incoming screen will soon offer immediate clarity on who is calling. In the digital age, cyber fraud via phone calls has increased significantly, with scammers frequently posing as bank officials or police officers. To address this widespread threat, the Government of India and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have initiated a major effort to eliminate anonymous calls and combat cyber fraud by mandating a verified caller identification system across mobile networks.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications have outlined a new rule taking effect from November 1 to implement the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service. Under this government-backed initiative, telecom service providers are directed to introduce CNAP so that the registered name of callers appears on smartphone screens during incoming calls. Rather than relying on crowd-sourced information, the system pulls identity information directly from the telecom service provider’s official KYC database. For commercial entities, registered business or trade names will be displayed to provide clear identification for users.
The CNAP system integrates directly into telecom network infrastructure. It will automatically display the name and phone number of callers, operating by default for users on 4G and higher-generation networks, including 5G mobile networks.
This ensures that caller identification is tied to registered subscriber information across cellular networks.
International incoming calls are handled through a distinct protocol: instead of showing a domestic subscriber identity, the system will display incoming international calls simply as “International Call.”
For many mobile users, third-party applications such as Truecaller have served as the primary tool to recognize unknown numbers. CNAP provides a government-backed alternative that utilizes official customer records and KYC databases maintained by telecom operators. This ensures that caller identification is tied to registered subscriber information across cellular networks.
The incoming caller identification system incorporates specific privacy protections. Established privacy restrictions such as Call-Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) will be respected by the service. In addition, the framework ensures that temporary data cannot be stored once a call concludes.
Regulators emphasize that technological measures represent only one layer of protection against fraud. Even with verified names displayed on incoming calls, TRAI advises users to remain vigilant and cautions mobile subscribers never to share bank details or OTPs with unknown callers.
The push for CNAP comes as telecom authorities seek to restore trust in incoming voice calls. By displaying registered names and numbers, the new feature is designed to help users identify unknown callers, spot fraud calls, and increase transparency across the telecom network. Supported by the central government and the Department of Telecommunications, the mandate aims to ensure that anonymous calling can no longer be exploited for digital fraud.