What is a CNR number and how do I find my case status?

The CNR, or Case Number Record, is a permanent 16-character alphanumeric identifier given to each case registered in India's district and subordinate courts under the eCourts system. Think of it as a case's unique fingerprint.

Its key features:

• It never changes for the life of the case, even if the matter is transferred between courts or its yearly case number is renumbered.
• It lets anyone check the case status, next hearing date, and order history through the eCourts services portal or app.
• It removes confusion where different case types share similar registration numbers.

You will usually find the CNR on the filing acknowledgement, on cause lists, or by searching the eCourts portal using the party name or advocate details. Your advocate can retrieve it for you immediately.

In practice at the Lucknow Bench and the district courts, I always give clients their CNR at the outset and encourage them to save it, because with that single number they can independently verify the next date instead of depending on word of mouth, which reduces missed hearings.

Note that High Court matters use their own filing and diary numbers rather than a district-court CNR, so the tracking method differs slightly for those cases.