India: court case over use of "Dr" title
The Kerala High Court has ruled that courts do not have the authority to determine who may use the “Dr.” prefix, holding that decisions about titles and professional designations are for the legislature or government to regulate, not the judiciary. In a case involving a petitioner seeking to use “Dr.” based on a non-medical doctoral degree, the court said it cannot step into debates over who is entitled to a title without clear statutory backing, and noted that unsettled rules on use of academic and professional titles may invite public confusion. The judgment emphasized that the government and legislature are responsible for setting standards and qualifications tied to professional titles, and suggested that any disputes over misuse should be addressed through appropriate regulatory frameworks rather than through judicial fiat.