TRAI Rolls Out CNAP: Built-in Caller Identification Arrives for Every Indian Mobile User

India’s telecom networks are gradually introducing Calling Name Presentation (CNAP), a new feature designed to show a verified caller name with every incoming phone call.  

After finalising the framework in October 2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has moved the service into live deployment, with nationwide availability expected by March or April 2026. 

CNAP Working Model and Rollout Timeline 

CNAP differs from existing caller identification tools by sourcing caller names directly from telecom operators’ KYC-verified subscriber databases.  

These records are created at the time of SIM issuance using officially approved identity documents, including Aadhaar, ensuring the displayed name corresponds to the legally registered user of the number. 

The rollout is being carried out in phases, starting with 4G and 5G networks, while support for older technologies will be added later. Smartphone manufacturers have also been asked to ensure device compatibility within six months of the service launch. 

Objective and User Response 

The primary objective of CNAP is to reduce the effectiveness of scam and spam calls, particularly those impersonating banks or government agencies.  

By displaying a verified name on the call screen, the system aims to help users make more informed decisions about answering unknown numbers. 

User reactions so far have been mixed. While many see CNAP as a long-awaited step to restore trust in voice calls, others have raised concerns around privacy, loss of anonymity, and the accuracy of existing KYC records.  

Questions have also been raised about how quickly incorrect names will be corrected once the feature is widely active. 

CNAP Versus Existing Caller Id Solutions 

CNAP is often compared with third-party apps such as Truecaller, which rely on crowdsourced user inputs. Unlike those platforms, CNAP is embedded within telecom networks and does not require any external application, reducing the risk of impersonation but offering fewer customisation options.  

TRAI has said that access to KYC data used for CNAP will be strictly controlled and logged and limited solely to caller identification. 

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Conclusion 

As CNAP becomes more widely available over the coming months, it is expected to bring greater transparency to voice calling and make fraudulent calls less effective. How well the system balances security, accuracy and user privacy will become clearer once the feature reaches full-scale adoption across India’s telecom networks. 

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