Karnataka approves ‘Er’ for engineers and ‘Tr’ for teachers as official prefixes

The state cabinet of Karnataka gave its nod to two new professional prefixes, ‘Er’ for engineers and ‘Tr’ for teachers, in a move intended to bring uniformity to how qualified individuals present their credentials. The decision, announced through an official press release, will allow registered engineers to append ‘Er’ before their names, while teachers who meet prescribed qualifications can use ‘Tr’.

The policy is expected to simplify verification processes for employers and the public, reducing ambiguity in professional identification. It also aligns Karnataka with a growing trend in India where states and professional bodies standardise title usage to enhance credibility.

Implementation guidelines, including the criteria for eligibility and the procedure to adopt the prefixes, will be issued by the respective engineering and education departments within the next few weeks. Existing professionals can apply for the change retroactively, subject to documentation verification.

Stakeholders, including engineering associations and teachers' unions, have welcomed the move, citing benefits for career recognition and public trust. The government has indicated that the prefixes will be reflected in official certificates, licences and digital records.

The initiative underscores Karnataka’s focus on professional development and aims to set a precedent for other states to follow.