Telecom operators to show KYC name of incoming callers from November 1

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a directive that will require all mobile network operators to display the caller’s registered name for incoming calls starting November 1. This service, called Caller Name Presentation (CNAP), links the telephone number to the name provided during the Know Your Customer (KYC) process that every subscriber must complete when obtaining a SIM card. After a pilot phase that ran throughout most of 2025 within the operators’ own networks, the regulator concluded that the feature reduced the number of unidentified or spoofed calls and received positive feedback from consumer groups.

Under the new system, when a call is received, the handset will show the subscriber’s name as stored in the KYC database, alongside the phone number, provided the user has opted in to share this information. Telecom companies have been instructed to update their billing and routing systems to fetch the name in real time, and they must ensure that the data is accurate and refreshed whenever a user updates their KYC details. Consumer advocates expect that visible caller identities will make it harder for fraudsters to disguise themselves, thereby lowering the incidence of phishing and telemarketing scams that have plagued Indian phone users.

The rollout raises questions about data privacy and the handling of personal information by telecom firms. While the KYC framework already requires operators to store basic identity details, extending that data to the public screen of a call introduces new responsibilities for safeguarding against misuse. For Indian readers, the change is significant because it promises greater transparency in everyday communications and could influence how businesses approach outbound marketing. Observers will be watching how quickly the industry adapts and whether the measure leads to a measurable decline in unwanted calls.