If your phone has recently started showing names you never saved, there’s no need to worry. This is due to the Indian government's new caller identification system, CNAP, which is currently under testing. Under this system, your phone will first display the caller’s Aadhaar-linked real name before switching to the name saved in your contacts. This initiative is being seen as a major move toward more reliable and authentic caller identification across India.

Why Are New Names Appearing on Your Phone?
The government has approved the CNAP portal, and telecom operators have begun testing the feature. Because of this, many users are suddenly seeing unfamiliar names when they receive calls.
Until now, identifying unknown numbers depended largely on apps like Truecaller. But CNAP pulls data directly from official government records, making caller identification far more accurate and trustworthy.

What Is CNAP and How Does It Work?
CNAP stands for Calling Name Presentation. It works like Truecaller but with government-backed verification.
When someone calls:
• Your phone first displays the Aadhaar-linked name associated with that mobile number.
• After a moment, it switches to the name you have saved in your contacts.

This ensures you see the caller’s authentic, verified identity before anything else.

How CNAP Helps Reduce Spam and Fraud
Spam calls and fraud attempts have become a serious concern in India. With CNAP, users will be better protected because the caller’s verified name appears instantly.
This reduces dependence on unverified third-party databases, helps prevent scam calls, and brings more transparency to the calling experience.

Privacy Concerns and Naming Issues
The introduction of CNAP has raised a few early questions:
• Will users be allowed to update or modify their Aadhaar-linked names?
• Will everyone's Aadhaar-verified name be visible to all call recipients?
• How will user privacy and data protection be ensured?

Since the system is still in the testing phase, the government is expected to release clear guidelines on these concerns soon. As CNAP gradually rolls out nationwide, users will be able to better understand how it works and what changes it brings.