What is a CNR Number? Complete Guide to Case Number Registration

If you've ever dealt with court cases in India, you've likely encountered the term "CNR number." The Case Number Record (CNR) is the most important identifier in India's digital court system. Think of it as the Aadhaar number for your court case — a unique, permanent identifier that follows your case from filing to final disposal.

This guide explains everything about CNR numbers: what they are, how they're structured, how to find yours, and how to use them for tracking your case online.

What Does CNR Stand For?

CNR stands for Case Number Record. It is a unique 16-character alphanumeric code assigned to every case filed in any District Court or Taluka Court across India through the eCourts system. The CNR number is generated automatically by the Case Information System (CIS) software used by courts under the eCourts Mission Mode Project.

The CNR system was introduced to create a standardized, nationwide case identification mechanism. Before CNR numbers, the same case number format could exist across different courts, making it impossible to uniquely identify a case at the national level.

CNR Number Format Explained

A CNR number follows a strict 16-character format: SSCCDDNNNNNNYYYY

State Codes in CNR Numbers

The first two characters represent the state. Some common state codes:

• DL — Delhi
• MH — Maharashtra
• KA — Karnataka
• TN — Tamil Nadu
• UP — Uttar Pradesh
• WB — West Bengal
• RJ — Rajasthan
• GJ — Gujarat
• AP — Andhra Pradesh
• TS — Telangana

How to Find Your CNR Number

There are several ways to find the CNR number for your case:

1. Check Your Case Filing Receipt

When a case is filed and registered in court, the court registry provides a filing receipt or acknowledgment. The CNR number is printed on this document. This is the most direct way to find it.

2. Ask Your Advocate

Your lawyer receives the CNR number when the case is registered. If you're represented by counsel, simply ask them for your case's CNR number.

3. Search on eCourts by Party Name

1. Go to services.ecourts.gov.in
2. Select your state and district
3. Click "Case Status" → "Party Name"
4. Enter your name (as petitioner or respondent)
5. Complete the CAPTCHA and search
6. Your cases will appear with their CNR numbers

4. Search on LegalIntelli

Use LegalIntelli's case lookup tool to search by party name, case number, or advocate name. The CNR number is prominently displayed in the case details. No CAPTCHA required.

5. Check Previous Court Orders

Court orders and cause lists often mention the CNR number alongside the case number. Check any order copy or certified copy you may have.

Why is the CNR Number Important?

Unique Identification

Unlike case numbers (which repeat across courts), the CNR number is unique across all courts in India. "Civil Suit No. 123/2026" could exist in hundreds of courts. But a specific CNR number like DLND010012342026 points to exactly one case.

Fastest Way to Check Case Status

Searching by CNR number on eCourts or LegalIntelli gives you instant, exact results. Other search methods (party name, case number) may return multiple results requiring you to identify the right one.

Required for Inter-Court References

When cases are transferred between courts, or when one court needs to refer to a case in another court, the CNR number serves as the universal reference. It's also used in appeals and revisions to link cases across judicial hierarchy.

Digital Integration

The CNR number is the key used by the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), eFiling systems, and all digital court services. It's the foundation of India's digital judiciary infrastructure.

CNR Numbers for High Courts and Supreme Court

It's important to note that CNR numbers are primarily used for District and Taluka courts within the eCourts system. High Courts and the Supreme Court have their own case numbering systems:

• High Courts use case numbers like "WP(C) 1234/2026" or "CRL.A. 567/2026" — these vary by High Court
• Supreme Court uses diary numbers and case numbers like "SLP(C) No. 12345/2026"

However, the eCourts project is progressively integrating High Court data, and some High Courts now support CNR-like identifiers.

Common Issues with CNR Numbers

Case Not Found?

If searching by CNR number returns no results, check: (1) you've entered all 16 characters correctly, (2) there are no spaces or special characters, (3) the case may not yet be digitized if it's very old, or (4) the court may have a data sync delay.

Multiple CNR Numbers

A single dispute can generate multiple CNR numbers if: an appeal is filed (new CNR for the appeal), the case is transferred to another court, or cross-suits or counter-claims are filed. Each proceeding gets its own CNR number.

Using CNR Numbers with LegalIntelli

LegalIntelli makes the most of CNR numbers. Once you add a case using its CNR number, you get:

• Automatic status tracking with real-time alerts via WhatsApp and email
• Complete case timeline built from hearing history
• AI-powered analysis of court orders in plain language
• Upcoming hearing reminders so you never miss a date
• Judge analytics showing disposition patterns for your case's judge via our analytics dashboard

Conclusion

The CNR number is your case's digital identity in India's court system. Knowing your CNR number and understanding how to use it is the first step to effectively tracking and managing your litigation. Save your CNR number securely, and consider using tools like LegalIntelli to turn that simple number into a comprehensive case management experience.