India’s telecom ecosystem is preparing for one of its most significant security upgrades yet — the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) system, a verified caller ID framework designed to tackle fraud, spam, and cybercrime.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), will display the verified name of a caller — as per telecom Know Your Customer (KYC) data — on every incoming call.
Pilot runs are currently underway in Haryana, with Vodafone Idea and Jio testing the technology. Full-scale implementation across India is expected by March 31, 2026, officials confirmed.
“The CNAP feature will allow users to instantly identify who is calling them — based on verified telecom data rather than third-party databases,” said a senior DoT official. “This will drastically reduce impersonation and phishing attempts.”
From Pilot to Policy
The DoT’s decision to make CNAP available by default marks a policy shift from the TRAI’s earlier recommendation, which proposed activation only upon request by the recipient.
In its response, the DoT argued that automatic activation would ensure wider public safety, allowing users to opt out only if they wished. TRAI “noted” the modification without objection — effectively clearing the path for universal implementation.
The pilot phase will assess technical integration, latency, and privacy safeguards, ensuring that verified names appear promptly across networks without breaching data-protection norms.
Tackling Scams and “Digital Arrests”
The CNAP rollout comes amid a surge in cyber-enabled impersonation frauds, including “digital arrest” scams, where victims are coerced by fake law enforcement officers via phone.
Authorities believe verified caller identification can help filter out fraudulent calls before they reach potential victims.
While third-party apps such as Truecaller already offer caller-identification features, they rely on crowdsourced data, often inaccurate or privacy-invasive. CNAP, by contrast, uses verified telecom KYC records, making it a state-backed, standardized solution.
“This is not just a convenience feature — it’s a digital safety infrastructure,” said a telecom analyst. “It could be India’s strongest defense yet against phone-based fraud.”
A Global Trend, Local Challenges
Similar verified caller ID frameworks have been adopted in parts of Europe, South Korea, and the United States. India’s version will, however, contend with challenges such as data synchronization among multiple operators and ensuring privacy compliance under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
Officials said the system will include opt-out provisions and will mask identities in lawful situations, such as police investigations or helpline numbers.
Once fully implemented, CNAP could reshape the country’s digital-communication landscape — making every incoming call more transparent and accountable.
