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India has mandated the display of callers' registered names along with their numbers for incoming calls starting November 1, 2026, in an effort to enhance call security and combat spam or fraudulent calls.
Indian government mandates display of callers' registered names along with numbers for incoming calls starting November 1, 2026. The move aims to enhance call security and combat spam or fraudulent calls. The Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service will present the calling name identity on the user terminal during an incoming call. The service will be implemented for 4G and higher generation networks, with separate rollout plans for 2G and 3G networks and PSTNs. Telecom operators will establish and maintain a database mapping subscribers' names to numbers. Users can choose to hide their caller identity when making calls through the Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) facility. Security measures will be enforced to ensure the security of communications. Preferred names can be used for business or bulk connections.
The Indian government has recently issued a directive to telecom service providers (TSPs) in the country, mandating the display of callers' registered names along with their numbers for incoming calls starting November 1, 2026. This move is aimed at enhancing call security and combating spam or fraudulent calls. The Department of Telecommunications has issued a circular urging service providers to implement the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service.
The CNAP service is designed to present the calling name identity of the calling user on the user terminal of the called user at the time of an incoming call. This feature is mainly targeted at wireless terrestrial networks established using 4G and higher generation technologies. However, it is worth noting that a rollout for 2G and 3G networks, as well as public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), will be taken up separately after examination.
Under the new guidelines, every time a user receives a call, the first field will display the caller's number, as is the existing practice. The second field will contain the name of the calling user in the following order of preference: If the number is already saved in the callee's contacts, the corresponding name is displayed. If the number is not saved, the calling name identity as stored in the telecom operator's subscriber database will be displayed for domestic calls. The label "International Call" will be presented for calls originating from outside India.
To meet this requirement, every originating TSP is required to establish and maintain a database mapping subscribers' names to their numbers. The operator on the receiving end of the call will query this database to retrieve the calling name identity and present it to the user. Telecom operators are also expected to provide a Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) facility, as part of which users can choose to hide their caller identity when making calls.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Communications is urging TSPs to adopt a secure-by-design approach when implementing the system and ensure the security of communications by: Enforcing that the calling name identity is not retained upon completion of the incoming call Maintaining the quality of service in accordance with applicable laws Provisioning the necessary database, network, and connectivity infrastructure to support efficient processing of calling name identity queries
Users with business connections or bulk connections can opt for a "preferred name" that replaces the calling name identity. The preferred name has to be one of the following: A trade mark registered in the name of the user as per the records of the Trade Marks Registry under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry A trade name of the user as registered on the Goods and Services Tax portal
For new connections, the preferred name of the user shall be recorded in both the customer application form and subscriber data record and document(s) evidencing proof that the user is registered under such name shall be presented in original to the originating TSP and true copies thereof shall be attached to the customer application form by the originating TSP
The new guidelines are aimed at enhancing call security and combating spam or fraudulent calls. The Department of Telecommunications has issued a circular urging service providers to implement the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service. The CNAP service is designed to present the calling name identity of the calling user on the user terminal of the called user at the time of an incoming call.
The rollout of the CNAP service is expected to bring about several benefits, including the ability to identify calls from unknown numbers and tackle spam or fraudulent calls. The service will also provide users with greater control over their caller identity, allowing them to choose to hide their identity when making calls.
In conclusion, the Indian government's decision to mandate the display of callers' registered names along with their numbers for incoming calls starting November 1, 2026, is a significant step towards enhancing call security and combating spam or fraudulent calls. The implementation of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service will bring about several benefits, including the ability to identify calls from unknown numbers and tackle spam or fraudulent calls.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/India-Mandates-Registered-Caller-Name-Display-on-4G-and-Newer-Networks-A-Step-Towards-Enhanced-Call-Security-ehn.shtml
https://thehackernews.com/2026/10/india-mandates-registered-caller-name.html
Published: Thu Oct 15 06:39:40 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
