For every aspiring lawyer in India, the All India Bar Exam (AIBE) is a significant milestone. Whether you’ve recently graduated from law school or are re-entering the legal profession, this exam ensures you are equipped with essential legal knowledge to practice confidently. Conducted by the Bar Council of India, the AIBE tests practical skills across various laws, offering certificates of practice to successful candidates.
The AIBE also acts as a benchmark for assessing a candidate’s understanding of fundamental legal principles. For many, funding exam preparation can be challenging. To ease this financial strain, Bajaj Finserv Loan for Lawyers provides a tailored solution for covering preparation costs or other needs effortlessly. In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about AIBE, including its objectives, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and more.
What is the All India Bar Exam (AIBE)?
The All India Bar Exam (AIBE) is a qualifying test designed to evaluate the legal acumen of law graduates. Here's an overview:
- Conducted by: Bar Council of India
- Purpose: To certify candidates for practising law in India
- Frequency: Once or twice a year
- Format: Open-book exam with multiple-choice questions
Passing this exam allows law graduates to obtain a “Certificate of Practice” and marks their eligibility to represent clients in court.
AIBE 20 Highlights 2025
Refer to the table below for the important details related to the AIBE (20) 2025 examination.
Features |
Details |
Exam name |
All India Bar Examination (AIBE) |
AIBE 20 Exam date |
To be announced |
Conducting body |
Bar Council of India (BCI) |
Exam level |
National |
Exam frequency |
Held once every year |
Exam fees |
Rs. 3,560 for General/OBC and Rs. 2,560 for SC/ST categories |
Eligibility |
Completed 3-year or 5-year LLB from a recognised law college or university |
Exam purpose |
Certification exam to obtain the Certificate of Practice (COP) |
|
The COP is required to practise law in India |
Mode of exam |
Offline (pen-and-paper based) |
Exam timings |
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
Question type |
100 multiple-choice questions (objective type) |
No. of test cities |
Conducted in 53 cities across India |
Exam helpdesk |
Phone: +91-6263178414, 6352601288, 9555089314, 9555076241, 9555092448 |
|
Email: bci.helpdesk@cbtexams.in |
Exam website |
allindiabarexamination.com |
Objectives of All India Bar Exam (AIBE)
The AIBE aims to maintain high standards in the legal profession. Here’s what it seeks to achieve:
- Assess competence: Ensures law graduates have sufficient understanding of legal procedures and principles.
- Enhance professional ethics: Promotes integrity and ethical practices among advocates.
- Ensure legal proficiency: Evaluates a lawyer’s ability to provide sound legal advice.
- Standardise skills: Creates uniform benchmarks for legal practitioners nationwide.
Eligibility criteria for All India Bar Exam (AIBE)
Meeting the eligibility requirements is crucial before applying for the AIBE.
| Criteria | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Must hold a 3-year or 5-year LLB degree from a recognised institute. |
| Bar Council Registration | Must be enrolled with a State Bar Council. |
| Minimum Age | No age limit applies. |
| Nationality | Must be an Indian citizen. |
Ensure all documentation, including your Bar Council ID, is in place before applying.
Steps to fill the AIBE-XX (20) application form 2025-26
- Online registration: Visit the official AIBE website and register by providing your Advocate Enrolment Number, name, mobile number, email address, and category. After submission, you'll receive an OTP on your registered email to verify your account.
- Filling the application form: Log in to your account and fill in personal, academic, and contact details as required. Ensure all information is accurate and up to date.
- Uploading documents: Upload a recent passport-sized photograph, your signature, a self-attested copy of your enrolment certificate, and a self-attested photo ID. Ensure these documents are in JPG or JPEG format.
- Selecting exam centre and language: Choose your preferred examination centre and the language in which you wish to take the exam. AIBE offers the exam in 11 languages; select the one most comfortable for you.
- Payment of application fee: The examination fee is Rs. 3,500 for General and OBC candidates, and Rs. 2,500 for SC and ST candidates. Make the payment through the available online methods.
- Final submission: After completing all the steps, review your application thoroughly to ensure all details are correct. Once confirmed, submit the application form. It's advisable to print a copy of the completed form and payment receipt for your records.
By following these steps, you can successfully complete your AIBE 2025 application. Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria before applying.
Application fee of AIBE XX (20) exam
Candidates applying for AIBE XX (20) must pay the applicable AIBE 2025 exam fee based on their category, as detailed below:
Category |
Application fee (in INR) |
General / OBC |
Rs. 3,500 (plus transaction charges) |
General-PWD / OBC-PWD |
Rs. 3,500 (plus transaction charges) |
SC / ST |
Rs. 2,500 (plus transaction charges) |
SC-PWD / ST-PWD |
Rs. 2,500 (plus transaction charges) |
EWS / Women |
Rs. 3,500 (plus transaction charges) |
Changes in All India Bar Exam (AIBE)
Over the years, the AIBE has undergone notable changes:
- Format adjustments: Transitioned from open-book to semi-open-book format.
- Syllabus updates: Added topics such as cyber law and environmental law.
- Digital integration: Introduced online registration and admit card issuance.
- Exam frequency: Now conducted twice annually to accommodate more candidates.
Legality of the All India Bar Examination
The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is a legally mandated test introduced by the Bar Council of India (BCI) to ensure the competence of law graduates before they begin practising. This requirement is firmly backed by the Supreme Court of India, emphasising the need for uniformity and quality in the legal profession.
By making the AIBE mandatory, the BCI aims to uphold high ethical and professional standards within the judiciary system. It assesses a candidate's knowledge of law and ability to apply legal principles effectively.
Clearing the AIBE grants law graduates the Certificate of Practice, a crucial document that allows them to represent clients in courts across India. This initiative has been instrumental in creating a standardised platform for legal practitioners, ensuring they are well-equipped to provide legal services and uphold the sanctity of the legal profession.
History of All India Bar Exam (AIBE)
The All India Bar Exam (AIBE) was introduced in 2010 by the Bar Council of India to address disparities in legal education and create uniform standards for legal practitioners nationwide. Its history is marked by several significant milestones:
- 2010: The inaugural AIBE was conducted to assess the competence of law graduates. This initiative aimed to ensure that all advocates met a standard level of knowledge and professionalism before practising in courts.
- 2012: The exam format underwent a key change with the introduction of the open-book system, allowing candidates to refer to bare acts during the test. This modification focused on testing practical application over rote memorisation.
- 2022: Digital advancements were integrated into the process with the introduction of an online application and registration system. This made the exam more accessible, reducing logistical challenges for candidates across India.
These developments have played a pivotal role in enhancing the credibility and quality of legal practice in India.
Syllabus of All India Bar Exam (AIBE)
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has released the official syllabus for the AIBE 20 exam. Candidates can prepare effectively by referring to the subject-wise marks distribution provided below:
AIBE Subjects /Syllabus |
No. of questions |
Constitutional Law |
10 marks |
Criminal Procedure Code (Cr. P. C.) & (New) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita |
10 marks |
Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) |
10 marks |
Indian Penal Code (I. P. C.) & (New) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita |
8 marks |
Law of Contract, Specific Relief, Property Laws, Negotiable Instruments Act |
8 marks |
Family Law |
8 marks |
Evidence Act & (New) Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam |
8 marks |
Law of Torts, including Motor Vehicles Act and Consumer Protection Law |
5 marks |
Labour and Industrial Laws |
4 marks |
Alternative Dispute Resolution, including Arbitration Act |
4 marks |
Taxation Law |
4 marks |
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) |
4 marks |
Professional Ethics and Misconduct Cases under BCI Rules |
4 marks |
Administrative Law |
3 marks |
Company Law |
2 marks |
Environmental Law |
2 marks |
Cyber Law |
2 marks |
Land Acquisition Act |
2 marks |
Intellectual Property Laws |
2 marks |
Total |
100 marks |
AIBE-XX (20) Exam Centres in 2025
The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) XX for 2025 will be conducted in multiple cities across India, ensuring accessibility for candidates nationwide. Below is a list of key exam centres:
State |
Exam Centres |
Andhra Pradesh |
Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada |
Assam |
Guwahati |
Bihar |
Patna |
Chhattisgarh |
Bilaspur, Raipur |
Gujarat |
Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat |
Jammu & Kashmir |
Jammu, Srinagar |
Karnataka |
Bengaluru, Dharwad |
Kerala |
Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram |
Madhya Pradesh |
Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur |
Maharashtra |
Aurangabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune |
Punjab & Haryana |
Amritsar, Chandigarh, Gurugram |
Rajasthan |
Jaipur, Jodhpur |
Tamil Nadu |
Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy |
Telangana |
Hyderabad |
Uttar Pradesh |
Allahabad, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi |
West Bengal |
Kolkata |
Exam Pattern of All India Bar Exam (AIBE)
Familiarity with the AIBE exam pattern 2025-26 can help reduce avoidable errors both during preparation and on the actual test day. Set aside some time to review the detailed exam structure provided below:
AIBE exam features |
Details |
Exam mode |
Pen-and-paper based (offline) |
Exam type |
AIBE is no longer conducted as an open-book exam |
|
Not allowed: Books, notes, or written material are prohibited inside the exam centre |
|
Allowed: Bare Acts (without any annotations or comments) are permitted |
Exam duration |
3 hours |
Test medium |
Available in 22 regional languages apart from English: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, and Dogri |
Total questions |
100 |
Type of questions |
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) |
Marking scheme |
1 mark for each correct answer (note: negative marking will be introduced from this year) |
AIBE-XX (20) Exam Centres in 2025
The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) XX for 2025 will be conducted in multiple cities across India, ensuring accessibility for candidates nationwide. Below is a list of key exam centres:
State |
Exam Centres |
Andhra Pradesh |
Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada |
Assam |
Guwahati |
Bihar |
Patna |
Chhattisgarh |
Bilaspur, Raipur |
Gujarat |
Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat |
Jammu & Kashmir |
Jammu, Srinagar |
Karnataka |
Bengaluru, Dharwad |
Kerala |
Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram |
Madhya Pradesh |
Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur |
Maharashtra |
Aurangabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune |
Punjab & Haryana |
Amritsar, Chandigarh, Gurugram |
Rajasthan |
Jaipur, Jodhpur |
Tamil Nadu |
Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy |
Telangana |
Hyderabad |
Uttar Pradesh |
Allahabad, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi |
West Bengal |
Kolkata |
Candidates should select their preferred centre during registration, as allocations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Check official updates for changes in exam locations.
How to download AIBE 20 Admit Card 2025?
To download the AIBE 20 admit card 2025, follow these simple steps:
- Visit the official website: Go to the official AIBE website, which is typically hosted by the Bar Council of India.
- Login to your account: Use your registration number and password to log in to your account. If you haven't created one yet, you'll need to register first.
- Find the admit card section: After logging in, look for the "Admit Card" section on the dashboard or notification area.
- Download the admit card: Once you locate the admit card link, click on it. Ensure all details are correct, such as your name, exam centre, and timings. If there are no errors, proceed to download the admit card.
- Take a printout: After downloading, print out a hard copy of the admit card. It is recommended to keep multiple copies for future reference.
Make sure to carry the printed admit card along with a valid ID proof to the examination centre. If there are any discrepancies in your admit card, contact the examination authorities immediately.
Conclusion
The All India Bar Exam (AIBE) is more than just a qualifying test—it’s a stepping stone for a successful legal career. By passing the AIBE, you showcase your readiness to uphold justice and provide quality legal services. To ease your journey, consider opting for a lawyer loan from Bajaj Finance to manage preparation costs effectively.
