In a significant move aimed at enhancing user safety and reducing phone-based fraud, telecom operators in India have begun pilot runs of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) feature, a system that will allow mobile users to see the verified name of callers during incoming calls.
According to senior officials in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Vodafone Idea has already launched the CNAP pilot project in Haryana. Reliance Jio is also set to initiate its pilot in the same circle, with capability to test calls originating from anywhere in the country.
Unlike existing third-party caller identification apps which rely heavily on crowdsourced data and often display inaccurate or misleading names CNAP will be powered by telecom operators’ verified KYC records. This government-backed authentication system is expected to drastically curb impersonation, spam, and scam calls.
DoT officials said they expect full nationwide rollout of CNAP by March 31, 2026, with telecom companies working closely with the ministry to ensure smooth implementation across networks.
Experts believe the introduction of CNAP is a “major step forward” in digital safety. With verified caller information displayed in real time, users will have more confidence in identifying genuine calls and rejecting fraudulent ones.
The move aligns with the Modi Government’s broader push to strengthen digital trust and secure India’s rapidly expanding telecom ecosystem.
Once fully implemented, CNAP is expected to be one of the most effective tools yet in combating rising phone scams across the country.
