CNAP: Verified Caller Name on Calls and Opt-Out

Soon, your phone will show the caller's real KYC-verified name on every incoming call, even for numbers not saved in your contacts. This feature is called CNAP (Calling Name Presentation). The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have agreed that CNAP should be switched on by default for all subscribers, with a right to opt out and disable it if you prefer privacy. Here is what CNAP means for you and how to turn it off.

CNAP stands for Calling Name Presentation. When someone calls you, your screen shows not just the number but the caller's name exactly as registered in their telecom operator's KYC records (the Customer Acquisition Form, or CAF). Unlike Truecaller and similar apps, which rely on crowd-sourced and unverified data, CNAP draws the name directly from the originating operator's verified subscriber database. The aim is to make it harder for fraudsters and spammers to hide behind anonymous or fake-named numbers.

CNAP is rolling out, not yet a finished nationwide mandate with a single switch-on date. Here is the honest status:

1. TRAI first recommended CNAP on 23 February 2024, originally suggesting an opt-in model where subscribers would have to request the service.
2. DoT sent a back-reference dated 26 September 2025, preferring that CNAP be on by default for everyone.
3. TRAI issued its response on 28 October 2025 agreeing with DoT: CNAP should be enabled by default for all subscribers, with an option to opt out and disable it on request.
4. Telecom operators began rollout in late 2025, with broad availability expected to spread through 2026.

So the correct way to read this is: CNAP is coming to your phone by default, and you have a right to opt out. It is not yet a fully in-force law with a fixed nationwide live date, so treat any specific switch-on claim with caution.

The flow is built into the network, so you do not install anything:

1. Source of the name. When you make a call, the network looks up your name in your own operator's KYC and CAF records.
2. Display to the receiver. That verified name travels with the call and appears on the other person's screen alongside your number.
3. Phased by network. Rollout starts with 4G and 5G networks, where the technology is ready, and extends to 2G and 3G later when technically feasible.
4. Default on. Under the agreed model, the feature is active for subscribers by default, rather than something each person must request.

Because the name comes from operator records and not a third-party app, businesses and individuals show up under the identity they used to buy the SIM.

If you would rather not have your name displayed to people you call, you can opt out. Exact steps depend on your operator, but the general route is:

1. Contact your telecom operator. Call customer care, use the official app, or visit a store for your provider (Jio, Airtel, Vi, or BSNL) and request that CNAP be disabled for your number.
2. Ask for CLIR if you want full number privacy. Subscribers who use Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR), which hides your number, will not have their name shown either. CLIR is a stronger privacy setting your operator can activate.
3. Keep a record. Note the date, the request reference number, and the agent name, so you can follow up if the change does not take effect.

Opting out only stops your own name from being shown to others. It does not stop you from seeing the verified names of people who call you.

CNAP is useful, but it has real limits worth knowing:

1. Accuracy depends on KYC. The name shown is whatever is in the operator's records. If a business registered under a confusing trade name, that is what appears.
2. Not every network yet. During the phased rollout, older 2G and 3G connections may not show names for some time.
3. CLIR overrides display. Anyone using CLIR will still call you without a name, so CNAP does not unmask every caller.
4. It is not a spam block. CNAP helps you judge a call, but blocking persistent spam still relies on do-not-disturb tools and AI spam detection systems. For more on that, see the wiki guide on TRAI AI spam detection and call blocking.

A simple example: when Dr. Shrawan Kumar Pathak gets a call from an unsaved number, CNAP can show the registered name of the caller, helping him decide whether to answer a possible bank or hospital call versus a likely scam.

Not as a single nationwide mandate with a fixed date. TRAI and DoT have agreed on a default-on model with an opt-out, and operators began a phased rollout in late 2025, with wider availability expected through 2026.

Under the model TRAI and DoT agreed on 28 October 2025, CNAP is meant to be enabled by default for all subscribers. You do not have to request it, but you can opt out.

Truecaller relies on crowd-sourced, user-submitted data that anyone can edit. CNAP uses the name from the originating operator's verified KYC and CAF records, so it is harder to fake.

Yes. Contact your operator and ask to disable CNAP for your number, or request CLIR for stronger number-and-name privacy. Keep the request reference for follow-up.

Possibly later. The rollout starts with 4G and 5G networks and extends to 2G and 3G when it becomes technically feasible, so older connections may not show names at first.

No. Callers who use CLIR will not have a name displayed, and during the phased rollout some networks and numbers may not yet support it.

• TRAI aligns with DoT on CNAP, default with opt-out: https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/trai-dot-cnap-default-opt-out-caller-id-rollout-125102801428_1.html
• TRAI approves verified caller ID (CNAP) rollout: https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2025/11/01/trai-approves-verified-caller-id-cnap-scctimes-update/
• India rolls out CNAP in 2026, KYC-powered with privacy opt-out: https://www.mondaq.com/india/telecoms-mobile-cable-communications/1715710/india-rolls-out-cnap-in-2026-official-caller-name-display-to-fight-spam-powered-by-kyc-databases-and-privacy-opt-out
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India: https://www.trai.gov.in/

• WhatsApp SIM-binding rule 2026: will your account stop?

• TRAI AI spam detection and call blocking
• The RTI Playbook
• Right to Information Wiki home

CNAP (Calling Name Presentation) — complete guide on caller name display and how to opt out in India:

1. Step 1: What is CNAP? (a) CNAP (Calling Name Presentation) is a proposed telecom feature — where the recipient's phone displays the name of the caller — as registered with the telecom operator — even if the recipient has not saved the caller's number, (b) the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has recommended CNAP — to curb spam calls, fraud calls, and robocalls — by displaying the caller's registered name — so that the recipient can identify the caller — and decide whether to answer, © the CNAP name is sourced from: (i) the KYC records (the name submitted by the subscriber — at the time of getting the SIM card — through Aadhaar or other KYC), (ii) the CPF (Customer Acquisition Form) — submitted to the telecom operator, (d) the CNAP is similar to Truecaller — but is provided by the telecom operator — based on the official KYC records — and is more accurate — and more reliable — than Truecaller.
2. Step 2: Privacy concerns. (a) the CNAP raises significant privacy concerns — because: (i) the caller's name is displayed to the recipient — without the caller's consent — even if the caller has not shared the name — and even if the caller has not saved the recipient's number, (ii) the name is sourced from the KYC records — which contain the Aadhaar name — and the address — and the photo — which are sensitive personal information, (iii) the CNAP can be misused — by stalkers, fraudsters, and harassers — who can identify the caller — and use the name for phishing, extortion, or harassment, (iv) the CNAP can expose journalists, activists, whistleblowers, and vulnerable individuals — who need to make anonymous calls — for their safety, (b) the privacy advocates have argued that: (i) the CNAP violates the right to privacy — under Article 21 of the Constitution — and the Puttaswamy judgment (2017), (ii) the CNAP is a disproportionate restriction — on the caller's privacy — because there are less intrusive alternatives — like DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) — for spam control, (iii) the CNAP should be opt-in — not opt-out — to respect the caller's consent.
3. Step 3: How to opt out. (a) the TRAI has recommended that the subscriber should have the option to opt out of CNAP — so that the name is not displayed — to the recipient, (b) the opt-out process (as proposed): (i) the subscriber can opt out — through the telecom operator's app (MyJio, Airtel Thanks, Vi App, BSNL self-care), (ii) the subscriber can opt out — through the telecom operator's website (by logging in — and navigating to the CNAP settings), (iii) the subscriber can opt out — by sending an SMS (to the telecom operator's short code — with the opt-out keyword — e.g., “CNAP OFF” — to [number]), (iv) the subscriber can opt out — by calling the customer care (and requesting the opt-out), © the opt-out is expected to be free (the TRAI has recommended that the opt-out should not attract any fee — and the telecom operator should not charge for the opt-out), (d) the opt-out is revocable (the subscriber can opt back in — at any time — through the same process), (e) the opt-out status (once opted out — the caller's name will not be displayed — to any recipient — and the recipient will see only the number — or “Private Number” — or “Unknown”).
4. Step 4: TRAI recommendations and status. (a) the TRAI issued a consultation paper on CNAP (in 2022 — and submitted recommendations to the Department of Telecommunications — in 2023), (b) the TRAI recommended: (i) the CNAP should be implemented by all telecom operators (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL — for all subscribers — by default), (ii) the subscriber should have the option to opt out (to protect privacy — and the opt-out should be free — and easy), (iii) the name should be sourced from the KYC records (and should be accurate — and up-to-date), (iv) the CNAP should not apply to emergency numbers (100, 101, 102, 108, 112 — and to government helplines — which should display the official name), © the Department of Telecommunications is considering the recommendations (and is in consultation with the telecom operators — on the implementation — and the timeline — and the privacy safeguards), (d) as of 2026, the CNAP has not been fully implemented — and the telecom operators are in the trial phase — and the opt-out mechanism is being developed.
5. Step 5: File RTI. File RTI with: (a) the TRAI asking for: (i) the CNAP recommendations (the full text — and the date — and the status of implementation), (ii) the privacy safeguards (the opt-out mechanism — and the process — and the timeline), (iii) the consultation with stakeholders (the submissions received — and the meetings — and the minutes), (iv) the trial status (the telecom operators conducting trials — and the results — and the timeline for full rollout), (b) the Department of Telecommunications asking for: (i) the implementation status (whether the DoT has approved the CNAP — and the timeline — and the notification), (ii) the privacy impact assessment (whether the DoT has conducted a PIA — and the findings — and the safeguards), (iii) the opt-out mechanism (the process — and the telecom operators' compliance — and the timeline), © the telecom operator (if it is a public sector operator — BSNL/MTNL — which are public authorities under the RTI Act) asking for: (i) the CNAP implementation status (and the trial results — and the timeline), (ii) the opt-out mechanism (the process — and the availability — and the fee — if any), (iii) the KYC data sharing (whether the operator is sharing the KYC data — for CNAP — and the safeguards).
6. Step 6: Alternatives to CNAP for spam control. (a) DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology): the TRAI's DLT platform — for scrubbing spam — by registering headers and templates — and blocking unregistered commercial communications, (b) the TRAI DND app (Do Not Disturb — the consumer can register — and block commercial calls — and report spam), © Truecaller and similar apps (the third-party caller ID apps — which rely on crowd-sourced data — and are less accurate — and raise privacy concerns), (d) call blocking (the smartphone's built-in call blocking — and spam filtering — which can block known spam numbers), (e) the telecom operator's spam filter (Jio, Airtel, Vi — have spam filters — that identify and block spam calls — based on AI and machine learning).
7. Step 7: Practical tips. (a) opt out if you value privacy (if you do not want your name displayed — to strangers — opt out — through the telecom operator's app — or website — or SMS — or customer care), (b) check the TRAI website (for the latest recommendations — and the implementation status — and the opt-out mechanism), © file RTI (to get the implementation status — and the privacy safeguards — and the opt-out mechanism — if the telecom operator does not provide the opt-out), (d) use DND (register on the TRAI DND — to reduce spam calls — and report spam — to the TRAI), (e) be cautious (even with CNAP — fraudsters can spoof names — or use fake KYC — so verify the caller — before sharing any information — or making any payment), (f) Example: A journalist was concerned that CNAP would expose her identity — to sources — and to suspects — she filed RTI with the TRAI — asking for the opt-out mechanism — the reply showed that the opt-out was available — through the telecom operator's app — she opted out — and her name was not displayed — to recipients — protecting her identity — and her safety.

See CNAP Opt Out and Find PIO.