Plea filed before Karnataka High Court against conferment of 'Er' prefix for Engineers

The Karnataka High Court recently sought the State's response to a writ petition challenging a State government order permitting engineers in Karnataka to prefix the honorific 'Er' before their names [Beerappa N v State of Karnataka].

Justice CM Poonacha issued notice in the matter on October 9. The matter will be heard next on November 16.

The Karnataka government on September 15, 2026, issued an order that allowed engineers to attach a prefix of 'Er' before their names.

A lawyer named Beerappa N has challenged the move, questioning whether the State has the authority to confer such honorifics.

The petition alleges that the State provides no clear, logical explanation as to why it decided to confer an honorific on engineers, thus violating the right to equality under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution.

The petition states that the State has a duty to secure a citizen's equality of status and opportunity. Conferring honorifics, on the other hand, would create a hierarchy amongst professions, the petitioner has argued.

The State's notification has, therefore, been challenged as arbitrary for favouring one profession over others.

The petitioner, being an advocate, further states that his standing and dignity as a member of the Bar also stands dimnished by the State's move.

Advocate Trivikram SS appeared for the petitioner.

[Read Order]