AIBE Rules 2026 Changed: Exam to Be Held Twice a Year, Final-Year Law Students Eligible

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has announced major changes in All India Bar Examination (AIBE). What has changed in AIBE exam?

• The AIBE exam will be held twice a year.
• Final-semester law students can apply too if they clear their final exams. 

This BCI decision was reported to the Supreme Court. The move disposed of a long-pending plea on this issue on the exam. AIBE 21 exam date is 6 June 2026. Registrations are going on. 

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What Has Changed in AIBE Rules?

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta received this crucial change from BCI. The competent authority has framed the AIBE Rules 2026. This move also comes as a relief for law students who raised concerns over the years.

What are the AIBE Rules 2026:

• AIBE will be held twice a year, not once annually.
• Final-year and final-semester law students can appear for AIBE.
• Eligibility will be decided based on the final semester examination

This move aims to save a crucial year for law graduates and allow them to enrol as advocates immediately after graduation.

Related Reads: AIBE 20 Result 2025 Declared: Check Your All India Bar Examination Scorecard Online

AIBE 21 Exam 2026: Important Dates

According to the latest announcement by BCI:

• AIBE 21 Exam Date 2026: 7 June 2026
• AIBE 21 Application Form 2026: 11 February 7 to 30 April 2026

What’s the importance of AIBE 2026 exam: Clearing the AIBE is mandatory to practise law in Indian courts.

What the Supreme Court Said?

The BCI’s counsel informed the apex court that the rules are already framed.

“The AIBE will be conducted at least twice a year and the last semester students will be allowed to sit for AIBE, subject to them clearing the final exam.”

Then, the Supreme Court noted that the purpose of the writ petition had been served. Now, the matter is officially closed.

Background of the AIBE Rules 2026 Case

The judicial scrutiny has mounted on this issue for a long time.

• In 2023: the Supreme Court directed the BCI to frame rules so that final-semester students can take AIBE.
• In 2024: interim orders were passed regarding the same.
• On September 20, 2024: the court granted significant relief and allowed to take the exam so that a vital professional year would not go in vain. 

The petition was filed by nine final-year law students from Delhi University who believed that if a student is debarred from the exam, if they have not graduated yet would delay their legal career.

Why The Change in AIBE Exam Matters?

AIBE is now being held twice a year, and final-year studentsare  allowed to apply. law students can:

• Avoid losing a year after graduation
• Enrol as advocates 
• Begin legal practice without delay

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques:  Who can apply for the BCI Certificate of Practice?

Ans: The Bar Council of India (BCI) Certificate of Practice (CoP) is awarded to those:

• With a 3 or 5-year LLB from a BCI-recognised university.
• Enrolled with a State Bar Council.
• Passed All India Bar Examination (AIBE) 

Ques:  What are the AIBE exam minimum qualifying marks?

Ans: Depends on your category:

• General/OBC: 40-45% (40-43/100 marks)
• SC/ST/PwD: 35-40% (35-38/100 marks)

Ques:  Can I take AIBE Exam in Hindi?

Ans: Yes. You can appear in AIBE exam in Hindi also. AIBE exam can be taken in these languages too: Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, English, Assamese, Punjabi, Santhali, Nepali, and Sindhi. The exam is conducted in offline mode by the Bar Council of India.

Ques:  How many times is AIBE held in a year?

Ans: From now on, the exam will be held twice a year.