In a major push to enhance telecom security and curb fraudulent calls, India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has approved the nationwide rollout of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP), a government-backed caller identification service. Often dubbed as India’s “own Truecaller,” CNAP will display the verified name as per aadhaar card of incoming callers directly on recipients’ phone screens, drawing from official KYC databases maintained by telecom operators.
CNAP is a Truecaller-like service launched by the Indian government. The idea behind CNAP is to curb the rising number of tele-calling scams. The existing CLIR (Calling Line Identification Restriction) option could allow people to hide their name, but carriers seem to be disabling it.
The service, approved in October 2025 following consultations with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), is currently in phased rollout. Major operators like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and BSNL have begun deploying it in select regions, with trials starting in states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh earlier this year. Full pan-India implementation is targeted by March 2026, making India one of the largest countries to mandate such a verified caller ID system.
How CNAP Works
Unlike third-party apps like Truecaller, which rely on crowdsourced and often inaccurate data, CNAP uses names registered during SIM card issuance through mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) processes—typically linked to Aadhaar or other official IDs. When a call is made :
• The recipient’s telecom provider queries the caller’s operator for the registered name.
• The verified like as per aadhaar card name appears on the screen alongside the phone number, even if the contact isn’t saved.
This network-level feature requires no additional app and works on compatible 4G/5G devices initially, with plans to extend support to older networks and feature phones in coordination with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITy).
TRAI has mandated that CNAP be enabled by default for all users, allowing recipients to see caller names automatically. However, callers concerned about privacy can opt to hide their name using the existing Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) feature, a supplementary service already available (though restricted for most users, with full access often limited to government officials).
Driving Force : Tackling Spam and Scams
The initiative comes amid a surge in spam, phishing, and impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as bank officials, government agents, or delivery personnel. Reports indicate millions of Indians receive multiple spam calls daily, eroding trust in voice communication.
“By showing verified names, CNAP will help users quickly assess legitimacy and reduce the success rate of scams,” a TRAI official stated in recent guidelines. Telecom operators, including Jio—which has led the early rollout in several states—echo this, noting the feature adds a layer of transparency without relying on user-submitted data.
Privacy Concerns and Safeguards
While welcomed for its anti-fraud potential, CNAP has sparked debates over privacy. Critics, including industry bodies like the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and advocacy groups, argue that mandatory name display could expose personal information, especially for vulnerable users like women or those in sensitive situations.
TRAI addressed these in its October 2025 response to DoT, emphasizing :
• Strict controls on KYC data access, limited solely to caller identification.
• Logged and audited queries to prevent misuse.
• Opt-out options for recipients (to disable seeing names) and CLIR for callers.
Device manufacturers must ensure CNAP compatibility in new phones sold after a notified cutoff, further integrating the feature seamlessly.
Road Ahead
As of December 2025, CNAP is gradually activating across networks, with Jio reporting wide availability in multiple states. Wider adoption is expected in early 2026, potentially transforming how over a billion Indian mobile users handle unknown calls.
Experts predict CNAP could significantly dent third-party caller ID apps while boosting legitimate telemarketing through verified business names. However, challenges remain, including updating outdated KYC records and ensuring interoperability across operators.
With scam calls costing billions annually, CNAP represents a bold regulatory step toward safer digital communication in the world’s largest mobile market. Users are advised to contact their operators for updates on availability in their region.