Caller Names to Appear in Caller ID From November 1

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has amended India’s caller identification rules to allow subscribers’ names, as recorded in telecom operators’ records, to be included in caller identification from November 1, 2026.

The change comes through an amendment to the Unified Licence Agreement, which revises the definition of Calling Line Identification (CLI).

Under the revised definition, caller identification may include the telecommunication identifier assigned to a subscriber by the service provider, the subscriber’s name recorded in its subscriber data records, or any other identification specified by the licensor.

Previously, the definition primarily covered identification through a telephone number, an IP address or another method prescribed by the licensor.

The amended provision explicitly recognises a subscriber’s registered name as a form of caller identification.

The DoT said the amendment was made under provisions of the Unified Licence Agreement that allow changes to licence conditions in the public interest, for national security or to ensure the proper functioning of telecommunication services.

The revised definition states: “Calling Line Identification means the telecommunication identifier assigned to a calling user by the licensee providing telecommunication service to such user; or the name of the user as recorded in subscriber data record or such other identification as the Licensor may specify from time to time”.

The amendment will take effect on November 1, 2026. However, it does not clarify whether telecom operators will be required to display callers’ registered names on recipients’ phone screens or how the feature will be implemented.

With inputs from ANI