India Rolls Out CNAP in 2026: Official Caller Name Display to Fight Spam, powered by KYC Databases and Privacy Opt-Out

Introduction

India’s telecom sector took a bold step in October 2025 when the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) approved the rollout of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) system. With this move, by March 2026, most people in India will see a verified caller name on their phone each time they receive a call. The main goal is to reduce spam and fraud, but there are important consequences for data privacy and how telecom companies manage their proprietary databases.

Understanding CNAP: A New Way to Identify Callers

The CNAP system works by matching the incoming call with the caller’s name as stored in the telecom operator’s KYC-verified database. This process is very different from the current approach, where third-party apps rely on users or crowdsourced data that can be unreliable. With CNAP, the information comes directly from the source, the telecom operator, making it much harder for scammers or telemarketers to misrepresent themselves.

Rollout will happen in stages. The first phase covers 4G and 5G users, eventually expanding to older networks. Phone manufacturers will need to support CNAP within six months of the official rollout date. TRAI has also allowed users who value their privacy to opt out using the CLIR (Calling Line Identification Restriction) feature, so individuals remain in control of their information.​

The Role of Telecom Databases

Telecom operators in India manage vast databases built through rigorous KYC processes. These databases are valuable intellectual property, holding accurate and legally verified identity and contact details. CNAP requires telecom operators to use these records to display a caller’s name, transforming their operational role into one of trust and accountability.

To protect this intellectual property, the system is tightly controlled. Only approved access is allowed, and every use of these databases must be properly logged and monitored. This framework ensures that telecom operators’ data is not misused and that privacy is respected. It also means that the accuracy and integrity of the information are maintained, providing consumers with much-needed confidence when answering calls.​

Why CNAP is More Than Just Technology

The CNAP rollout is not just a technical update. It addresses economic, legal, and social issues that affect every telecom user in India.

• By using operator-verified records, CNAP moves away from error-prone app-based approaches, giving consumers better protection against fraud.

• The system raises the standards for database management and data privacy. Operators have stronger legal obligations to keep information up to date, secure, and only accessible within approved scenarios.

• As the largest network-integrated caller name system globally, CNAP is projected to drastically reduce the effectiveness of scam calls. With accurate identification, businesses can establish trustworthy communication, while rogue telemarketers will find it much harder to operate.​

The rollout is designed to be gradual but thorough, starting with the most modern networks and eventually including older technologies. New devices sold after the mandate must be CNAP-ready to future-proof the ecosystem.

Balancing Privacy with the Need for Trust

While CNAP will be on by default, consumers have the option to withhold their name from displays by opting out with CLIR. This balance between trust and privacy is important. It recognizes the need to make communications safer while also protecting individual preferences and consent.

The opt-out process is meant to be simple and effective. TRAI has directed operators to offer clear procedures, ensuring that privacy is not just a technical afterthought but a respected choice.

Conclusion

The introduction of CNAP rests on practical needs and careful policy reasoning. Growing spam and fraud made it urgent to improve trust in everyday phone calls, not just for individuals but for legitimate businesses as well. By putting verified caller names at the center of all incoming calls, India is setting new benchmarks both for transparency and for corporate responsibility among telecom operators.

The project is not just about technology or regulation; it is about reshaping the experience of every mobile user in India. By 2026, every call will be an opportunity to build or reinforce trust, thanks to the systems and protections that CNAP is putting in place. The system’s reliance on operator-controlled data creates new value for those databases, turning them into strategic assets for safeguarding both consumers and the larger telecom marketplace.

Author: Amrita Pradhan, in case of any queries please contact/write back to us via email to chhavi@khuranaandkhurana.com or at  Khurana & Khurana, Advocates and IP Attorney.

References

1.     Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Response to DoT Back-Reference on Introduction of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) Service in Indian Telecommunication Network (October 28, 2025), https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-10/Response_CNAP_28102025.pdf.

2.     Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India, TRAI Responds to DoT’s Back-Reference Dated 26.09.2025 on CNAP Recommendations (PRID 2183354, October 28, 2025), https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183354.

3.     Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Recommendations on Introduction of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) in Telecommunication Networks (February 23, 2024), https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-02/Recommendations_23022024.pdf.

4.     Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Back-Reference to TRAI on CNAP Supplementary Service (September 26, 2025), Annexure-I to TRAI Response, https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-10/Response_CNAP_28102025.pdf.

5.     The Indian Express, India Could Get Official Caller ID by March 2026: What is CNAP and How Does It Work (October 31, 2025), https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/trai-dot-cnap-caller-id-india-march-2026-roll-out-10335583/.

6.     Firstpost, CNAP: India to Have Its Own Truecaller, TRAI Approves DoT’s Calling Name Presentation Framework (October 31, 2025), https://www.firstpost.com/tech/cnap-india-to-have-its-own-truecaller-trai-approves-dots-calling-name-presentation-framework-ws-e-13946718.html.

7.     SCC Online, No More Guessing Who’s Calling as TRAI Approves CNAP Rollout for Telecom Networks with Verified Caller ID (October 31, 2025), https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2025/11/01/trai-approves-verified-caller-id-cnap-scctimes-update/.

8.     India Today, India to Launch Its Own Caller ID Tech CNAP, Here is How It Could Rival Truecaller (October 31, 2025), https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/india-to-launch-its-own-caller-id-tech-cnap-here-is-how-it-could-rival-truecaller-2811207-2025-10-31.

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10.  Business Standard, TRAI Aligns with DoT on CNAP, Makes Caller ID Service Default with Opt-Out (October 28, 2025), https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/trai-dot-cnap-default-opt-out-caller-id-rollout-125102801428_1.html.

11.  CNBC TV18, TRAI, DoT Agree to Enable Default Display of Caller’s Original Name (October 28, 2025), https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/telecom/trai-dot-agree-default-caller-name-display-cnap-rollout-19730492.htm.

12.  The Financial Express, TRAI, DoT Agree on Default Rollout of Calling Party’s Name (October 28, 2025), https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-trai-dot-agree-on-default-rollout-of-calling-partys-name-4024399/.

13.  Ummid.com, India’s TRAI Gives Nod to DoT’s Own Truecaller (October 29, 2025), https://ummid.com/technology/trai-india-gives-nod-to-dot-own-truecaller.html.

14.  Gadgets 360, TRAI, DoT Approve Presentation of Caller Names During Incoming Calls (October 29, 2025), https://www.gadgets360.com/telecom/news/trai-dot-caller-name-display-incoming-calls-proposal-approved-9535592.

15.  Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Consultation Paper on Introduction of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) in Telecommunication Networks, https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-07/CP_26072022.pdf.