India mandates caller name display on 4G networks from November 1

India's Department of Telecommunications has directed all telecom operators to display the registered names of incoming callers starting November 1, 2026, under the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) initiative. The measure applies to 4G and newer wireless networks, with rollout on 2G, 3G, and landline networks to be considered separately.

When a call arrives, the recipient's screen will show the caller's number followed by their name. For saved contacts, the name stored locally will display. For unsaved domestic numbers, the name recorded in the originating telecom operator's subscriber database will appear. International calls from unsaved numbers will display as "International Call." Users who have opted for Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR)—including the Prime Minister, President, and senior government and intelligence officials—will have their names withheld.

Businesses and bulk-connection users can register a "preferred name" for display instead of their KYC name, provided they submit proof of trademark registration or GST registration. Each originating telecom operator must establish and maintain a database linking subscriber names to their numbers. When a call is received, the terminating operator queries this database to retrieve and display the calling name identity.

The Department of Telecommunications has mandated that operators implement security-by-design measures, including immediate deletion of displayed names upon call completion, maintenance of service quality, and secure database infrastructure. Operators must also establish grievance redressal mechanisms for users reporting issues with the service. The CNAP system has been under development since 2022, with pilot programs conducted within individual telecom networks in 2025. Civil society and industry bodies previously raised privacy concerns, but regulators stated that only call recipients receive caller identity information, not the call originator.