To combat spam and prevent fraud in India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has started rolling out a network-based caller identification system (CNAP). This service is aimed to reduce the spam and fraudulent activities that has gained surged significantly in the past year.
What is CNAP?
CNAP stands for Calling Name Presentation, it is a feature that allows users to identify an unknown caller. This feature is touted to be helpful in identifying the caller so as to prevent spam and fraud.
#TRAI has issued its response to DoT’s back-reference on the proposal to display the caller’s name on phone screens—even if the number isn’t saved. This feature, called Calling Name Presentation (#CNAP), aims to improve caller ID.
— TRAI (@TRAI) October 28, 2025
Read more: https://t.co/n1fNpdAzCz#DigitalIndia pic.twitter.com/y8HGGTbkTD
How CNAP works?
CNAP is a network-based service and it works by fetching the name of the caller directly from the KYC records present with the telecom companies. The identification is based on the Aadhaar details of the person on whose name the SIM is registered.
When was the CNAP Framework approved?
CNAP framework was approved by TRAI in October 2025, and it is currently being rolled out in phases across India. It is expected that the rollout will be completed across India by March or April 2026.
Which Telecom Operators Support the CNAP service?
All major telecom operators, including Jio, Airtel, VI, and BSNL, support the CNAP service and are actively rolling it out across telecom circles in a phased manner.
How to activate the CNAP service on mobile?
The CNAP service will be enabled by default for all users by March or April 2026. For those circles where the feature is rolling out, you can check the status of your CNAP activation by dialling *#31# from the dial pad of your phone. If you receive the status as caller id defaults to not restricted, then CNAP is active on your number.
Does CNAP work for Outgoing calls?
No, CNAP only works for incoming calls. If you are calling an unknown number, and that person also doesn’t have your contact number saved in his/her phone, that person will be able to see your name ( as per your KYC documents, i.e., Aadhaar card).
CNAP Rollout Current Status
CNAP has been rolled out by various telecom operators in India, and the current rollout status, according to telecom providers, is as follows :
Reliance Jio: Kerala, Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab, Assam, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, UP East and West, and Himachal Pradesh
Airtel: West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir.
VI: Maharashtra and parts of Tamil Nadu
BSNL: Some parts of West Bengal
That was all about the CNAP service, how it works, steps to check activation and the current rollout status in India.
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