New Telecom Rules from November 1: India Mandates CNAP to Curb Spam and Fraud Calls

The Government of India has unveiled a comprehensive initiative to combat spam calls, unsolicited telemarketing, and cyber fraud. Under a new directive from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), telecom operators will be required to display the registered name of the caller on the recipient’s mobile screen alongside the incoming number, eliminating the need for third-party caller identification applications.

Key Highlights of the New Mandate

• Effective Date & Scope: Starting November 1, 2026, the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service becomes mandatory across all 4G and 5G networks in India. Users do not need to manually activate this service; it will be enabled by default.
• Display Mechanism: If a caller’s contact is already stored on your phone, the saved name will appear. For unsaved numbers, the screen will display the official name submitted on the Customer Application Form (CAF) during SIM card verification.
• International Calls: Incoming calls from international destinations will simply carry an “International Call” tag rather than an individual caller name.
• Privacy Controls: To safeguard subscriber data, the caller identity information is fetched dynamically and purged immediately once the call ends. Subscribers utilizing Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) services will retain their caller privacy.
• Enterprise & Bulk Connections: Commercial entities and enterprises holding bulk connections can display their verified business or trademark name, provided requisite identity documentation is approved by telecom providers.
• Legacy Networks: The initial rollout focuses exclusively on 4G and 5G handsets. Provisions for 2G, 3G, and fixed landline networks will be reviewed at a later stage.

Consumer Impact and Fraud Prevention

The introduction of CNAP follows extensive consultations and trials conducted by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) alongside the Department of Telecommunications. By tying incoming calls directly to government-verified SIM registration records, the regulation aims to deter impersonation scams, financial fraud, and harassment, while reducing user reliance on third-party caller-ID platforms.