Caller Name Display to Become Mandatory on Indian Networks from 1 November 2026
The Department of Telecommunications, through a circular dated 13 October 2026, made Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) a mandatory default service for all telecom operators from 1 November 2026, enforcing Rule 48(1) of the Telecommunications Rules, 2026. For unsaved numbers the caller's name will be drawn from operators' verified subscriber records rather than crowd-sourced caller-ID databases; saved contacts keep user-assigned names and overseas calls carry an 'International Call' tag. The initial phase covers 4G, 5G and higher networks, with 2G, 3G and legacy landline excluded. Businesses must prove a registered trademark or GST-verified trade name, and subscribers using CLIR stay hidden.
The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaced the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 | TRAI was established under the TRAI Act, 1997; the Department of Telecommunications is under the Ministry of Communications | CLIP displays a caller's number, whereas CLIR lets a caller withhold it