The Bar Council of India (BCI) is conducting the All India Bar Examination XXI (AIBE 21) today, June 7, 2026, across examination centres throughout India. This is the 21st edition of the national-level certification examination that every law graduate enrolled with a State Bar Council must qualify to obtain a Certificate of Practice (CoP) — the mandatory document required to practice law before any court in India. The examination runs in a single shift from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Candidates must be present at their exam centre by 11:30 AM as entry closes at 1:15 PM.
The BCI released the AIBE 21 admit card on May 23, 2026, through the official website @allindiabarexamination.com. From 2026 onwards, BCI has confirmed that the AIBE will be conducted twice every year, significantly increasing the opportunity for law graduates to obtain their Certificate of Practice without waiting an entire year.
AIBE 21 Exam Day Complete Schedule
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Candidate Reporting Opens | 11:30 AM |
| Entry Deadline | 1:15 PM |
| Exam Start Time | 1:00 PM |
| Exam End Time | 4:00 PM |
| PwD Candidates (40% Plus Disability) | Extra 1 Hour (Ends at 4:20 PM) |
| Exit Allowed After | 4:45 PM |
| Exam Date | June 7, 2026 |
| Official Website | allindiabarexamination.com |
What to Carry on Exam Day
- Printed copy of AIBE 21 admit card (mandatory)
- One valid original government-issued photo ID: Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence
- Bare Acts — candidates are allowed to carry Bare Acts inside the examination hall
- Important restriction: Bare Acts must have no written notes, markings, annotations, or highlights of any kind. Any marked Bare Act will be treated as a prohibited item
AIBE 21 Exam Pattern
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Mode | Offline pen and paper |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Language | Available in 11 regional languages |
AIBE 21 Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| General and OBC | 45 out of 100 (45%) |
| SC, ST, and PwD | 40 out of 100 (40%) |
Subjects Covered in AIBE 21
The examination tests candidates on 24 subjects including:
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)
- Civil Procedure Code (CPC)
- Indian Penal Code (IPC)
- Evidence Act
- Contract and Specific Relief Acts
- Family Law (Hindu and Muslim law)
- Transfer of Property Act
- Arbitration, Conciliation, and ADR
- Professional Ethics and Professional Conduct
- Environmental Law
- Human Rights and International Law
- Intellectual Property Rights
- Information Technology Act
- Company Law and Labour Laws
Who Must Appear for AIBE
All advocates who enrolled with any State Bar Council on or after June 2010 and have not yet qualified the AIBE are required to compulsorily appear. Without a valid Certificate of Practice, these advocates are not permitted to practice before any court in India.
Final-year law students without pending backlogs who have applied for State Bar Council enrollment are also eligible to appear in AIBE 21.
What Happens After the Exam
The AIBE 21 provisional answer key will be released at @allindiabarexamination.com within a few days of the examination. Candidates can raise objections against the answer key within the stipulated window by paying the prescribed fee. The final answer key will be used to compute results. The AIBE 21 result is expected in August to September 2026. Qualified candidates receive the Certificate of Practice from their respective State Bar Councils.
