The Bar Council of India has opened registration for the All India Bar Examination XXI (AIBE 21), scheduled for 7 June 2026. The registration window, which opened on 11 February 2026, will close on 30 April 2026. This is a mandatory exam for law graduates seeking the Certificate of Practice to practise as advocates in India.
Key details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam | All India Bar Examination XXI (AIBE 21) |
| Conducting body | Bar Council of India |
| Total vacancies | Not applicable (qualifying exam) |
| Purpose | Certificate of Practice for advocates |
| Registration opens | 11 February 2026 |
| Registration deadline | 30 April 2026 |
| Fee payment deadline | 1 May 2026 |
| Correction window | Until 3 May 2026 |
| Admit card release | 22 May 2026 |
| Exam date | 7 June 2026 |
| Application fee | General/OBC: Rs. 3,500 / SC/ST: Rs. 2,500 (plus GST) |
| Official portal | allindiabarexamination.com |
Eligibility criteria
- Must hold an LL.B. degree (3-year or 5-year integrated programme) from a university recognised by the Bar Council of India
- Must be enrolled with any State Bar Council as an advocate
- There is no upper age limit for appearing in AIBE
- Candidates who have already passed a previous AIBE edition are not required to appear again
- Fresh law graduates who have completed their degree but are yet to enrol may also apply (enrolment proof must be provided before certificate issuance)
How to apply
- Visit the official AIBE portal at allindiabarexamination.com
- Click on "AIBE XXI Registration" and create a new account with your email and mobile number
- Fill in personal details, academic qualifications, and Bar Council enrolment information
- Upload a scanned passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format and size
- Pay the application fee online through net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI
- Review all entries carefully — the correction window closes on 3 May 2026
- Submit the form and save the confirmation page
Important notes
- AIBE is a qualifying examination, not a competitive one — there is no ranking or merit list
- The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 3.5 hours
- The exam is open-book — candidates may carry bare acts and unwritten statutory material
- Passing AIBE is mandatory under the Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015 to obtain the Certificate of Practice
- Admit cards will be available for download from 22 May 2026 onwards
- Candidates should ensure their State Bar Council enrolment number is correctly entered during registration