Government Directs Telecom Firms to Prepare for CNAP Rollout to Curb Cybercrime

The Government of India has directed all telecom operators to ready their systems for the nationwide rollout of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP), a verified caller ID feature aimed at reducing spam and cyber-fraud. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has already approved CNAP, which will display the KYC-verified name of the caller on all incoming mobile calls.

CNAP will be enabled by default for every mobile user, though customers will have the option to disable it. The implementation will take place in two stages — first on legacy circuit-switched networks using CNAM databases, followed by deployment on newer IP-based networks, where CNAM information will travel through signaling. Successful tests have already been completed on 4G and advanced networks.

A phased, nationwide rollout is targeted for completion by March 31, 2026. Additionally, all new mobile devices sold in India six months after the official notification must be CNAP-compatible.

The system incorporates privacy safeguards: calls made with Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) will remain protected, and only KYC-verified names will be shown — not crowdsourced data. TRAI has aligned CNAP with global standards from ITU-T and ETSI to ensure interoperability and reliability across networks.

Authorities expect that CNAP will enhance public trust in incoming calls, significantly curb spam and fraudulent communication, and strengthen transparency and security within the telecom sector.