India is set to launch its own official caller identification system, Calling Name Presentation (CNAP). The initiative has the potential to revolutionize how users manage incoming calls.
This system was approved by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The feature will display the caller's confirmed name on the recipient’s screen, just like Truecaller does. However, the information will be drawn directly from telecom operators’ KYC databases.
The concept is to introduce transparency and authenticity into electronic communication so users can recognize authentic callers and prevent scam or spam calls from reaching their phones.
All telecom operators are required to build and maintain a CNAM database that associates validated subscriber names with phone numbers. When the user is called, the network will automatically cross-match this database and display the enrolled name of the calling party.
In contrast to third-party software, which uses crowdsourced or unaudited information, CNAP will use authentic subscriber records, ensuring accurate data and limiting the risk of misidentification. The system will natively operate on both smartphones and feature phones, without requiring any such external applications.
The DoT has asked telecom companies to start pilot trials, with a country-wide launch planned by March 31, 2026, a PTI report said.
Vodafone Idea has already commenced testing CNAP in Haryana, and Jio will follow it for calls placed from anywhere in the nation.
The service will initially be supported only on 4G and 5G networks, although 2G customers, who are currently more than 200 million, will likely be added later.
The DoT has also asked smartphone companies to make their products CNAP-compatible by the service's launch date across all networks.
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TRAI has supported DoT’s suggestion to switch on CNAP by default for all customers. Those who do not want to use the feature will be able to opt out, nevertheless, by contacting their telecom service provider. Officials state that this practice will provide a balance between consumer protection and user privacy.
Regulators hope the step can significantly reduce spam calls, financial fraud, and online scams. As the name suggests, it will be associated with verified SIM registration, and fake callers will struggle more to mask their identities.
TRAI indicated that the step would enable users to ‘make an informed choice’ on whether to pick up a call, enhancing security and trust in day-to-day communication.
If rolled out as intended, CNAP would be among the largest caller ID systems ever verified worldwide, revolutionizing how India handles mobile communication in the digital era.