Overview
The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is a qualifying exam run by the Bar Council of India (BCI). The BCI holds it following a Supreme Court direction. Every advocate who enrolled after 2010 must pass it to practise in the courts. If you pass, you can download your Certificate of Practice from the AIBE portal or mobile app.
The BCI has held the exam in numbered editions. AIBE XX was held on 30 November 2025, and AIBE XXI on 7 June 2026. AIBE XXII is scheduled for 29 November 2026.
Who can apply
According to the official AIBE website:
You can apply if you have passed a three-year or five-year LL.B from a university or college recognised by the BCI.
You can also apply if you are in the final semester of your final year of LL.B and have no backlogs.
Candidature is provisional. If the BCI finds at any stage that you are not eligible, your candidature is rejected.
Exam pattern
| Feature | Details (AIBE XXI) |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 100 |
| Answer sheet | OMR sheet |
| Timing | AIBE XX ran from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. For AIBE XXI, candidates had to report by 11:30 AM, and entry closed at 1:15 PM. |
Syllabus
The BCI publishes a syllabus for each edition, showing how many questions come from each subject. For AIBE XXI, the 100 questions were spread as follows:
| Subject | Questions |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Law | 10 |
| Code of Criminal Procedure and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita | 10 |
| Code of Civil Procedure | 10 |
| Indian Penal Code and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita | 8 |
| Evidence Act and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam | 8 |
| Family Law | 8 |
| Contract, Specific Relief, Property Laws and Negotiable Instruments Act | 8 |
| Law of Torts, including Motor Vehicles Act and Consumer Protection Law | 5 |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution, including the Arbitration Act | 4 |
| Public Interest Litigation | 4 |
| Professional Ethics and Professional Misconduct under BCI Rules | 4 |
| Labour and Industrial Law | 4 |
| Law relating to Taxation | 4 |
| Administrative Law | 3 |
| Company Law | 2 |
| Environmental Law | 2 |
| Cyber Law | 2 |
| Land Acquisition Act | 2 |
| Intellectual Property Laws | 2 |
Criminal law, procedure and evidence cover both the older codes and the new Sanhitas and Adhiniyam.
Passing criteria and results
For AIBE XXI, the BCI set the pass mark at 45% for General and OBC candidates and 40% for SC, ST and specially abled candidates.
The BCI publishes a provisional answer key with an objection window, then a final answer key.
For AIBE XXI, results were declared on 18 July 2026. Candidates could apply to have their OMR sheets rechecked between 28 July and 4 August 2026, for a fee of Rs 500, through the portal only.
AIBE XXI candidates whose result shows Pass (Undertaking) or Withheld must upload their enrolment certificate by 6 January 2027.
Important dates
For AIBE XXII, according to the registration portal:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | 19 August 2026 |
| Registration closes | 27 October 2026 |
| Last date for fee payment | 28 October 2026 |
| Last date to correct the form | 30 October 2026 |
| Admit card available | 14 November 2026 |
| Exam | 29 November 2026 |
| Objection window | 2 to 9 December 2026 |
For reference, AIBE XXI registration ran from 11 February to 30 April 2026, and the exam was held on 7 June 2026.
How to apply
Register on the AIBE registration portal. The official AIBE website links to it.
Fill in the online form and pay the fee online. The form cannot be submitted without the fee.
Correct any mistakes before the correction deadline.
Download your admit card, and bring it to the exam centre with a government-issued photo ID.
Preparation tips
Divide your time according to the question split in the syllabus. Constitutional Law, criminal procedure and civil procedure carry 10 questions each.
Study both the old criminal codes and the new Sanhitas and Adhiniyam, because the syllabus names both.
FAQs
Can I take AIBE in my final year of LL.B?
Yes, if you are in the final semester of your final year and have no backlogs.
What are the pass marks?
For AIBE XXI, the pass mark was 45% for General and OBC candidates and 40% for SC, ST and specially abled candidates.
Who needs to pass AIBE?
Every advocate who enrolled after 2010 must pass AIBE to practise in the courts.
When is the next AIBE?
AIBE XXII is scheduled for 29 November 2026. Registration closes on 27 October 2026.