Unknown callers’ names to appear on phone screens, TRAI confirms:New rule from Nov 1; know how it will help detect fraud

Whenever someone calls your phone, both the caller’s number and name will appear on the screen. Users will not need to activate this service separately. The Central Government’s Department of Telecommunications has directed telecom operators to launch the service from 1 November 2026. Users don’t have to activate this service separately. Understand the government’s rule through answers to these questions… Question 1: What new rule has the government issued regarding calling? Answer: The Department of Telecommunications has directed companies to make ‘Calling Name Presentation’ (CNAP) mandatory on all 4G and 5G mobile networks from 1 November 2026. As a result, when a call comes from an unknown number, the caller’s number and real name will appear on the phone screen. Question 2: When someone calls, how will the name and number appear on the phone screen? Answer: The caller’s mobile number will appear in the first field on the screen. If that number is saved in your contact list, the same name will appear in the second field. However, if the number is not saved, the name the user provided to the telecom company when obtaining the SIM will be displayed. Question 3: What will appear on the screen if a call comes from abroad? Answer: If the call is coming from another country, that is, from an international number, no name will appear on the screen; it will simply display “International Call”. Question 4: How will this system work? Will companies have to create a new database? Answer: Yes, every telecom service provider will have to create and maintain a new database linking its users’ names with their mobile numbers. When you receive a call, your company will fetch the name from the caller’s operator’s database and display it on your screen immediately. Question 5: Will my personal privacy and data remain secure? Answer: As soon as a call comes in, the system will look up the caller’s name and display it on your screen. As soon as the call ends, it will immediately delete the name from its memory to keep your data completely secure. However, the names of people who have opted to hide their names through the privacy (CLIR) service will not be displayed on the screen. Question 6: What are the rules for businesses, companies and bulk connection users? Answer: Users of business or bulk SIMs will have the option to display their trademark or registered business name. However, they will have to provide the operator with verification and documents for the name registered with the Trademark Registry or on the GST portal. Question 7: What will happen to users on 2G, 3G and landline networks? Answer: For now, this rule is being made mandatory only for mobile networks operating on 4G, 5G or higher generations. The government will consider separately rolling it out on 2G and 3G networks and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Question 8: What is the background to this decision, and have trials already been conducted? Answer: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended this in February 2024. Following this, trials were conducted on 4G and 5G networks over the past few months. In October 2025, TRAI and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) agreed that it would be implemented by default instead of being provided on request. Question 9: What major benefits will ordinary mobile users get from this decision? Answer: The biggest benefit will be a reduction in incidents such as fraudulent calls, cyber fraud, spam calls, and blackmailing. It will become easier to identify people using SIM cards registered under false names, and users will no longer have to depend on third-party apps such as Truecaller. Tips for readers: Check your SIM data: If your SIM card is registered in the name of a relative or under an old name, that same name will be displayed to others when you make calls from 1 November. To get this corrected, contact your telecom operator and keep your KYC details updated. Business owners, take note: If you have any business connection, submit your GST or trademark documents before 1 November to have your brand name updated.