New Telecom Rule from November 1: Caller’s Name and Number to Appear on Your Screen

Starting November 1, 2026, mobile phone users in India will be able to see the caller’s name along with the phone number when receiving a call under a new mandatory caller identification system.
 

Under the new rule, if an incoming number is not saved in the recipient’s contact list, the name registered by the caller while obtaining the SIM card will appear on the phone screen. The initiative is expected to help users identify suspicious calls and reduce the risk of fraud.
 

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed all telecom operators to introduce the service from November 1. Known as Calling Name Presentation (CNAP), the facility will not require users to activate it separately.
 

How Will the New Caller Name Service Work?
 

If a caller’s number is already saved in the recipient’s phone contacts, the name stored in the contact list will continue to appear on the screen.
 

However, when the incoming number is not saved, the system will display the name registered at the time the SIM card was issued. Calls originating from international numbers will display the label “International Call” instead of the caller’s name.
 

To implement the service, telecom operators will need to create databases linking subscribers’ registered names with their mobile numbers. When a call comes in, the system will retrieve the relevant name from the database and display it on the recipient’s screen.
 

Privacy Safeguards Under the New System
 

Telecom companies have stated that the displayed name will be removed from the system’s memory immediately after the call ends.
 

Subscribers who have opted for the Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) service to conceal their identities will not have their names displayed on the recipient’s screen.
 

These provisions are intended to address privacy concerns while introducing the new caller identification facility.
 

Businesses Can Display Registered Names or Trademarks
 

Businesses and organisations using a large number of SIM cards will also have the option to display their registered business names or trademarks instead of individual subscriber names.
 

To use this facility, they will need to verify their business names through the Trademark Registry or the GST portal and submit the required documents to their telecom operators.
 

New Rule to Cover 4G and 5G Networks
 

Initially, the mandatory requirement will apply to 4G, 5G and newer-generation mobile networks.
 

The government will consider separately whether to extend the service to 2G, 3G and landline networks.
 

The introduction of CNAP is aimed at making caller identification more transparent and helping mobile users distinguish between known contacts and unfamiliar callers.