AIBE 21 2026 Registration Ongoing for Law Graduates Seeking Qualification

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has officially opened the online registration for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) XXI as of February 11, 2026.Law graduates and final-semester students can apply through the official portal until the April 30 deadline. This report details the essential eligibility criteria, the ₹3,500 registration fee, and the updated schedule for the June 7 open-book examination. Aspirants are urged to complete their enrollment with State Bar Councils to secure their Certificate of Practice and legal standing in Indian courts.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has reported a steady commencement to the AIBE 21 registration phase, which officially opened on February 11. As of today, February 19, thousands of law graduates and final-year students have initiated their applications for the 21st edition of the All India Bar Examination. This mandatory certification exam is designed to validate the foundational legal knowledge of law graduates before they are granted the "Certificate of Practice" (CoP) required to litigate in Indian courts and tribunals. With the qualification process entering its second week, the BCI has emphasized that the current window will remain open for two more months, providing ample time for aspirants to gather necessary documents and finalize their state-level bar enrollments.

Important Dates and Examination Schedule

The AIBE 21 registration cycle follows a strictly defined timeline released by the official AIBE portal. Candidates must track these milestones to ensure their eligibility for the June session.

• Extended Deadline: The April 30 deadline is final, and the BCI has advised law graduates not to wait for the final week due to potential server congestion on the AIBE Digivarsity portal.
• Open-Book Format: The June 7 test will continue as an offline, open-book examination where candidates can carry Bare Acts without notes or comments.
• Result Expectation: Following the exam, results are typically processed within 4-6 weeks to facilitate immediate registration for the CoP.

Eligibility and Qualification Process for 2026

The BCI has introduced specific relaxations for the current session, particularly for students who are in the final stages of their academic journey.

• Academic Criteria: Applicants must hold a 3-year or 5-year LLB degree from a BCI-recognized university. In a major update, final-semester students with no backlogs are now eligible to begin the AIBE 21 registration before their degree conferral.
• Bar Enrollment: While registration can be initiated earlier, law graduates must be enrolled with a State Bar Council (SBC) as an advocate to be eligible for the final result and certification.
• Language Options: The exam remains accessible in 22 regional languages, allowing law graduates from across India to attempt the test in their medium of instruction.

Registration Fees and Mandatory Documentation

To complete the qualification process, candidates must pay the non-refundable registration fee. The BCI has maintained the fee structure from the previous year.

• Digital Submissions: Law graduates must upload a scanned passport-size photograph, signature, and a self-attested copy of their SBC enrollment certificate or an undertaking for final-year status.
• Payment Gateways: The official AIBE website supports multiple payment options including UPI, Net Banking, and Debit/Credit cards.
• Verification Acknowledgement: Once the fee is paid and the form is submitted, a confirmation page is generated which is required for the qualification process during the document scrutiny phase.

Conclusion

The ongoing AIBE 21 registration marks a pivotal moment for thousands of law graduates as they transition from academic study to professional practice. As of February 19, the BCI's simplified digital interface has facilitated a smooth start to the qualification process. By securing registration before the April 30 deadline, aspirants can ensure they are well-positioned for the June 7 exam. This qualifying test not only maintains the high standards of the Indian legal fraternity but also serves as the final gateway to a career in advocacy. Candidates are encouraged to utilize the official AIBE resources and previous year question papers to prepare for this 100-mark assessment. With the legal landscape in India evolving, passing the AIBE 21 remains the definitive step for any aspiring advocate to achieve the status and rights required to practice law at the highest level of the Indian judiciary.

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