Why do officers use green pens? Most people don’t know

Gazetted officers often opt for green-ink pens.

New Delhi: Everyone in school, from the principal to teachers and students, is expected to follow a specific code of conduct, which includes guidelines regarding pen use. Let’s find out why. Teachers typically use red-ink pens, while students are restricted to blue and black pens. However, questions have been raised about the use of pens by gazetted officers. Gazetted officers often opt for green-ink pens.

Why use green ink pens?

A Quora user, Kshitij Raj, questioned why these officials use green ink pens for their official work. Many users offered various reasons for this unusual choice. User Kshitij Raj emphasised that officials at all levels are prohibited from using green ink pens; they are reserved only for gazetted officers.

The main reason behind this choice is reportedly the difficulty involved in trying to replicate their signatures. Kshitij admitted that green ink also leaves signatures vulnerable to forgery. He further explained that green ink signatures give the impression of authenticity. The use of green ink serves as a means for these officers to distinguish themselves from their colleagues.

What did the bank employee say?

Madhukar Pare, a former State Bank of India employee, confirmed these claims on Quora, attributing this practice to adherence to protocol and a symbolic display of official status. Madhukar said that Assistant General Managers and Inspectors of the State Bank of India also use green ink pens. Other bank employees and officers also follow predetermined ink colours, but this arrangement is specific to the bank’s premises.