AIBE XXII 2026: Application, Eligibility and Exam Details

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has opened applications for the All India Bar Examination XXII (AIBE XXII), a national qualifying examination for law graduates and eligible final-year law students seeking to practise law in India. Applicants should check the current eligibility and document requirements, then complete their online registration and fee payment within the stated deadlines.

Registration began on August 19, 2026, and the online application deadline is October 27, 2026; the separate fee-payment deadline is October 28. Applications are submitted through the official AIBE website, and the process includes online registration, form completion, document uploads and payment. Candidates must qualify the examination to proceed with the Certificate of Practice process, subject to applicable requirements.

Important Dates

The result period is tentative. Candidates should check the official website for schedule changes and subsequent notices.

Vacancy Details

AIBE XXII is a national qualifying examination, not a recruitment for employment. The notification does not announce posts or vacancies. The examination assesses whether eligible candidates meet the qualifying standard for the Certificate of Practice process.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Applicants may apply if they have completed a three-year LLB or a five-year integrated LLB from a university recognised by the Bar Council of India. Eligible final-year or final-semester students may also apply if they have no active backlogs from earlier semesters, subject to the applicable rules. The notification details state that BCI has not prescribed a minimum LLB percentage.

State Bar Council enrolment is not described as compulsory for every applicant under the rules outlined in the notification. Requirements and acceptable supporting documents may depend on an applicant’s enrolment status. Those who have not yet received a permanent enrolment certificate should check whether an undertaking is permitted under the current BCI instructions. Indian citizenship is required under the stated eligibility conditions. The notification also states that there is no limit on the number of attempts.

Age Limit

No upper or lower age limit is stated for AIBE XXII. The notification provides no separate age-relaxation provision.

Application Fee

The amount payable depends on the candidate’s category. The figures below include the stated bank charges, where applicable; candidates should confirm the applicable amount and payment instructions on the official portal before paying.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official AIBE website and open the registration link for AIBE XXII 2026.
2. Register using your name, active mobile number, email address and other requested information. Provide State Bar Council enrolment details if applicable. Keep access to the email and phone number you register because the system may use them for login information and updates.
3. Sign in to the candidate portal with the login details generated during registration and open the application form.
4. Enter your personal information, LLB course and educational details, college or university name, and applicable enrolment information. Select your examination language and up to three preferred examination centres from the choices available in the portal.
5. Upload the photograph, signature and supporting certificates in the required formats. The stated image requirements are a 10–50 KB JPG/JPEG passport-size photograph with a white or light background, and a 10–20 KB JPG/JPEG signature image measuring 350 × 150 pixels. The signature should be in black or dark blue ink on white paper.
6. Keep the documents relevant to your circumstances ready: a self-attested State Bar Council enrolment certificate or a permitted undertaking; LLB marksheets; an LLB degree certificate if you have graduated; valid photo identification; and category or disability certificates where applicable. The instructions specify marksheets for Semesters I to V for three-year LLB candidates and Semesters I to IX for final-semester students in a five-year LLB course. Examples of photo ID include Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport and Driving Licence. Category certificates for SC, ST, OBC or EWS applicants should be in PDF format as required. Keep your active mobile number and valid email address available as well.
7. Review the form and pay the fee through a payment option available on the portal, such as debit card, credit card or net banking. Submit the application by October 27, 2026, and complete fee payment by October 28, 2026.
8. Before final submission, check your name, date of birth, contact details, education and enrolment information, chosen language, centre preferences and uploaded files. Save or print the completed form or confirmation page and retain the payment receipt.
9. If you need to correct an eligible detail, use the correction facility before October 30, 2026. The notification says some minor personal information, clearer document uploads and examination-centre preferences may be correctable, but not every field can be changed. Category and registered email details are identified as details that usually cannot be changed.

Only candidates who complete the required form and fee-payment steps can proceed towards the examination, subject to the applicable eligibility rules. Check the current official instructions before relying on an undertaking or any document alternative.

Salary & Pay Scale

AIBE XXII is a qualifying examination and is not a paid post or employment opportunity. No salary or pay scale applies.

Selection Process

AIBE is not a competitive entrance examination for admission to a college. It is a qualifying examination conducted by BCI to assess whether candidates have the basic professional knowledge required to practise law. Candidates who meet the applicable qualifying standard can proceed with the Certificate of Practice (CoP) process through BCI and the concerned State Bar Council. The notification says AIBE is to be conducted twice a year.

Examination format and qualifying marks

AIBE XXII is scheduled as an offline, pen-and-paper or OMR-based examination. It has 100 multiple-choice questions for a total of 100 marks, with one mark for each correct answer and no negative marking. The examination lasts three hours and 30 minutes. PwD candidates with 40% or more disability are stated to receive an additional 20 minutes per hour. The exam is offered in 23 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Select a language carefully in the application and check the portal for the available options.

The qualifying percentages stated in the notification are 45% for General and OBC candidates and 40% for SC, ST and PwD candidates. AIBE is qualifying in nature; candidates who pass may proceed with the CoP process, subject to applicable requirements.

Subject-wise syllabus and question distribution

The subject-wise question distribution provided for AIBE XXII is listed below. Candidates should check the final official syllabus for any updates before planning their preparation.

Examination centres

The notification lists centres in the following states and regions. Actual availability may change, so make choices from the options shown in the application portal.

Admit card and examination-day requirements

The admit card is scheduled to be released on November 14, 2026, through the official website. Candidates who have completed the application and fee-payment process can log in to download it. Check the printed name, roll number, application number, photograph, signature, examination date and reporting time, centre address and instructions. Carry a printed admit card and a valid government-issued photo ID to the examination centre.

Answer key and result

BCI is expected to publish a provisional, set-wise answer key a few days after the examination. Candidates can use it to compare their responses and estimate their marks. An objection window is expected; if the official process permits a challenge, candidates may need to submit supporting documents and pay the prescribed objection fee. Follow the notice for the actual deadline and method. BCI is expected to issue a final answer key after considering objections and use it to prepare the result.

The result is tentatively expected between January 7 and 10, 2027, and is to be made available online. Candidates will be able to check their scorecard and qualifying status using the official website. The scorecard is expected to show the candidate’s name, roll number, application number, enrolment number, category, marks, qualifying status, result date and CoP eligibility status.

Certificate of Practice

Candidates who qualify and meet the applicable requirements can proceed with the Certificate of Practice process through BCI and the concerned State Bar Council. The CoP is required for eligible advocates to practise before courts, tribunals and other judicial authorities in India. Document checks, certificate dispatch or collection arrangements, and the time taken may vary by state, so qualified candidates should monitor BCI and their State Bar Council for instructions.

Helpdesk

The contact details provided for AIBE XXII support are aibe.helpdesk@gmail.com and councilaibe@gmail.com. The listed landline numbers are 011-49225022 and 011-49225023; mobile helplines are 8655701484 and +91-9804580458. Stated working hours are 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday to Sunday. Candidates may contact the helpdesk about registration, applications, fee payment, admit cards, answer keys, results or the CoP process. Confirm contact details and hours on the official website before relying on them.

Eligible candidates should submit their AIBE XXII application by October 27, 2026, and complete fee payment by October 28. Check the official BCI website for the latest instructions and any updates to the examination schedule or application requirements.