CNAP caller name display mandatory from 1 November 2026: DoT
Why in the news
On 15 October 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directed all telecom service providers to offer the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service across all service areas from 1 November 2026.
Key facts
- CNAP stands for Calling Name Presentation.
- Start date: 1 November 2026, across all service areas.
- Default on: every user will get the service without having to ask for it.
- Name source: the name recorded in the subscriber database of the caller’s (originating) telecom operator is shown along with the number.
- International calls: calls from unsaved international numbers will display ‘International Call’.
- Trials: conducted on wireless terrestrial networks using 4G and higher-generation technologies.
- Rollout on 2G/3G networks and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) will be considered separately.
Coverage at a glance
| Network | Status |
|---|---|
| 4G and above (wireless) | CNAP from 1 November 2026 |
| 2G/3G wireless | To be considered separately |
| PSTN (landline) | To be considered separately |
About CNAP
CNAP displays the caller’s registered name on the receiving phone, so users can identify callers even when the number is not saved. The name shown comes from the operator’s own subscriber records, not from the recipient’s contacts.
Exam angle
- Expand CNAP and note the issuing body: Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
- Remember the start date (1 November 2026) and the 4G-and-above scope.
- Note the ‘International Call’ label for unsaved international numbers.