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Caller ID system has needed third-party apps to give you the best results but the Indian government is hoping to make it a free service.
Truecaller has been the go-to option but it is a paid service. The govt wants to bring its own system. (Photo: AI generated for reference)
India’s mission to build its own caller ID system for smartphone users is reaching its finale. The government has started trials to test the performance and effectiveness of the Calling Name Presentation or CNAP system that will make apps like Truecaller less relevant for millions.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India or TRAI has given the nod for the telecom department to start work on making the system available across all telecom networks in the country. With the CNAP in place users will get details about the person calling them, something that has needed third-party apps like Truecaller for many years.
The government-powered system will not only work across operators but it will also be available free of cost and you don’t need to install another app to make it work. We have heard about this plan for a while but TRAI giving the go ahead allows the entities to put the groundwork in place.
CNAP System: India’s Own Truecaller ID Without App
The new caller ID system relies on the database available with telecom operators which will be verified and the number is expected to be authentic. This also means the regular dialer app on your phone will run the system and any call you get the CNAP system will activate in the background and tell you the name and number of the person calling.
The feature will be enabled within the network but TRAI will allow subscribers to opt out but for that they will have to contact their operator which could be an effort that some people might avoid taking. The main aim behind the CNAP system is for the government to prevent the spam menace and scammers who dupe innocent victims and steal their data and money.
It is likely that the early phase of CNAP will work for 4G and 5G smartphone users with 2G networks getting later. There is still a lot of work to be done for the caller ID system to become operational and work across the country with billions of users to access the calling database.
We are eager to see this system go live and whether it can compete or even deliver better results than apps like Truecaller so that people can rely on government services that cost them nothing.
S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr…Read More
S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr… Read More
Delhi, India, India
October 31, 2025, 10:05 IST
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