Showing the name of unknown caller on the phone is mandatory from tomorrow: This will help in identifying fake calls, the need for third party apps like Truecaller is eliminated.

From tomorrow i.e. from November 1, 2026, whenever you get a call from an unknown number on your phone, the real name of that person will also appear on the screen along with the number. This name will be the same as given in the government ID (like Aadhaar) while purchasing the SIM.

The Department of Telecommunications has made it mandatory for all telecom companies to implement this rule. For this you will not need to download any app or start any service, it will work automatically.

Till now people used to use apps like Truecaller to identify unknown numbers, but now without any app you will know who is calling. This will make it easier to avoid fake and fraud calls.

Understand this rule of the government in 8 questions and answers…

Question 1: When someone calls, how will the name and number appear on the phone screen?

answer: The name of the person who has called you will appear on your mobile screen. If the name of the person calling is in your contact list, that name will appear. If the number is not saved then the name entered by the caller while purchasing the SIM will be visible.

Question 2: If a call comes from abroad, what will be written on the screen?

answer: If the call is coming from another country i.e. international number, then no one’s name will be visible on the screen, only international call will be visible.

Question 3: How will this system work, will companies have to create a new database?

answer: Yes, every telecom service provider will have to create a new database linking the names of its users and their mobile numbers. When you get a call, the company will fetch the name from the database and immediately show it on your screen.

Question 4: Will my personal privacy and data be safe?

answer: As soon as the call is disconnected, the system will immediately erase that name from its memory, so that your data remains completely safe. Those who have taken the service of hiding their name for privacy (CLIR), their name will not be shown on the screen.

Question 5: What are the rules for businesses, companies and those with bulk connections?

answer: Users using business or bulk SIM will get the option to display their trademark or registered business name. For this, they will have to provide verification of the name registered on the trademark registry or GST portal and provide the documents to the operator.

Question 6: What will happen to users of 2G, 3G and landline networks?

answer: At present, this rule is compulsorily applicable only on 4G and 5G or above generation mobile networks. The government will consider separately to roll it out on 2G, 3G networks and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

Question 7: What is the background behind this decision, have trials been conducted?

answer: Telecom regulator TRAI had recommended it in February 2024. After this, its trials were conducted in the last few months. It was agreed between TRAI and DoT in October 2025 that it would be implemented by-default rather than ‘on request’.

Question 8: What benefits will common mobile users get from this decision?

answer: The biggest benefit will be that incidents like fake calls, cyber fraud, spam calls and blackmailing will be stopped. It will be easier to identify people using SIMs with fake names and users will not have to depend on third-party apps like True Caller.

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