The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have approved a new feature that will finally let users see the caller’s name during incoming calls. The feature is called Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) and will show the verified name of the person calling. Something like Truecaller, but built directly into your mobile network.
This feature will be enabled by default for all mobile users across India. If someone does not want it, they can simply request their telecom provider to turn it off. The CNAP system will use the caller’s verified information collected during SIM registration, so the name displayed on your screen will be authentic and government-verified.
This is an important effort by TRAI and DoT to make calling safer and more transparent. Spam and scam calls have become a daily problem for millions of users. Many rely on third-party apps to identify unknown numbers, but these apps often collect user data for their own purposes. With CNAP, the experience becomes direct and trustworthy. So, users don’t need external apps for caller ID identification, and no privacy risk.
To make this possible, each telecom operator will set up a Calling Name (CNAM) database. This database will store the subscriber’s name against their phone number. Whenever you get a call, your network will check this database and show the caller’s name instantly on your screen. It is a simple change, but it can transform the way people handle calls.
Before approving the rollout, the DoT carried out trials of CNAP across 4G and 5G networks in selected cities. The aim was to test how well it works and to fix technical issues. Initially, it was supposed to run on both circuit-switched and packet-switched networks. However, due to missing software patches and the need for system upgrades, testing was completed only on packet-switched networks. These trials helped operators prepare for a smooth national rollout.
Once live, CNAP will be offered as a supplementary service alongside existing telecom services. It will not be a paid or standalone feature. This approach ensures that everyone can access it without extra cost, making it a universal part of the calling experience in India.
This move by TRAI and DoT also shows a growing trend in global telecom: verified caller identity. Many countries are adopting similar systems to reduce fraud and improve user trust. For India, this feature arrives at the right time, when users are flooded with spam and fake calls daily.
