New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has approved a proposal to introduce a Caller ID system. This feature, called Calling Name Presentation (CNAP), is currently being tested by network operators in select areas. According to the report, the Caller ID system will be implemented nationwide by March 31, 2026. This means that Indian telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi), will have to implement the Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) system by March 2026.
According to the report, TRAI initially targeted implementation by the end of this year, but has now extended the deadline by three months to the end of March 2026. Telecom companies have already been asked to implement the CNAP feature in at least one circle.
According to the report, Vodafone Idea has started a pilot run of CNAP in Haryana. Jio may also begin trial runs soon. Significantly, the new caller ID system will initially be available only on 4G and 5G devices. Those still relying on 2G networks will not be able to use it.
Currently, the Calling Line Identification feature only displays the caller’s number. With the CNAP feature, the name will also be visible. It is also a network-level caller ID solution, allowing operators to exchange information among themselves or use a centralized database to identify callers. The CNAP feature could also be effective in combating spam, as users will know whether the caller is a person or a business.
Considering the creation of a centralized database
Telecom regulator TRAI had suggested that users would have the option to enroll in CNAP in 2022, but now TRAI plans to enable CNAP for everyone. According to the report, TRAI is reportedly considering creating a centralized database, with local copies maintained by network operators. Implementing CNAP may also require infrastructure upgrades and greater data sharing between telecom providers.
Benefits of Caller ID
This feature aims to make it easier for users to identify incoming calls. It can also help combat spam. It will also eliminate users’ reliance on third-party services like Truecaller, which rely on crowd-sourced information. The CNAP feature will display the caller’s name based on their KYC records, which typically reflect the name under which the SIM card was purchased.
