AIBE 21 Registration 2026 Ongoing for Law Graduates Nationwide

As of February 18, 2026, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has officially opened the registration for AIBE 21 (XXI).Law graduates and final-semester students must complete their online applications on the official portal by the April 30 deadline. The All India Bar Examination is a mandatory certification for advocates seeking the Certificate of Practice (CoP) to represent clients in courts This session features updated eligibility rules and is scheduled to be conducted in an offline, pen-and-paper mode on June 7, 2026.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has initiated the 2026-27 licensing cycle by opening the application portal for the 21st edition of the All India Bar Examination (AIBE XXI). As of today, February 18, 2026, the registration process is in full swing for law graduates across the country. Following the official notification released on February 11, thousands of aspiring advocates have begun submitting their academic and enrollment details on the official AIBE website. This national-level examination is a mandatory requirement under the Advocates Act, 1961, designed to set a minimum benchmark for entering the legal profession. Candidates who successfully qualify for the licensing exam will be awarded the Certificate of Practice (CoP), which is essential for appearing in any court or tribunal within the Indian territory.

1. Key Deadlines and Application Procedures

The BCI has provided a clear examination schedule for the 2026 registration cycle. Applicants are urged to adhere to the strictly enforced timelines to ensure their participation in the June session.

• Application Window: Online registration for AIBE 21 opened on February 11 and is set to conclude on April 30, 2026.
• Payment Deadline: The terminal date for the successful transaction of the examination fee is May 1, 2026.
• Correction Window: A brief facility for rectifying errors in the submitted forms will be active from May 1 to May 3, 2026.
• Fee Structure: The prescribed fee for General and OBC category candidates is ₹3,500, while SC and ST candidates are eligible for a reduced fee of ₹2,500.

2. Revised Eligibility Standards and Mandatory Documentation

In a significant shift for the 2026 licensing phase, the BCI has clarified the eligibility norms following recent judicial observations. The official eligibility guidelines now accommodate a broader range of legal graduates.

• Final Year Inclusion: Candidates in their final semester of an LLB program from a BCI-recognized university are now eligible to apply, provided they have no pending backlogs.
• Enrollment Prerequisite: All graduates must be provisionally enrolled with their respective State Bar Council and possess a valid enrollment number to complete the registration.
• Mandatory Documents: Applicants must upload scanned copies of their LLB degree or provisional certificate, State Bar Council ID card, and a recent passport-sized photograph.
• Passing Criteria: To qualify for the CoP, General/OBC graduates must score at least 45%, while SC/ST/PwD candidates require 40% on the 100-mark test.

3. Examination Pattern and Subject Weightage

The AIBE 21 will be conducted on June 7, 2026, as an offline, pen-and-paper OMR-based test. The AIBE 21 Syllabus covers 19 distinct areas of law, emphasizing practical and analytical legal knowledge.

• Subject Coverage: Major weightage is given to Constitutional Law (10 marks), Criminal Procedure Code (10 marks), and Code of Civil Procedure (10 marks).
• Open Book Format: The exam continues to be an "Open Book" examination, where candidates are permitted to carry Bare Acts without notes or comments into the hall.
• Language Options: The BCI will conduct the test in 11 different languages, including English, Hindi, and several regional languages, to assist graduates from diverse backgrounds.
• Hall Ticket Release: Successfully registered candidates will be able to download their admit cards from the portal starting May 22, 2026.

Conclusion

As of February 18, 2026, the AIBE 21 registration process remains the primary administrative focus for the legal community in India. The BCI's commitment to maintaining professional standards through this licensing mechanism ensures that only competent graduates enter the competitive litigation landscape. Candidates are advised to keep their State Bar Council enrollment details ready and complete the Step-by-Step Application well before the April 30 cutoff to avoid technical bottlenecks. This 2026-27 session represents a vital milestone for over two lakh expected applicants vying for their professional credentials. By securing a qualification in the June 7 exam, these future advocates will officially transition from academic graduates to licensed legal practitioners.

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