BCI extends the validity of AIBE results following a Karnataka HC order

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has offered a significant relief to thousands of law graduates by formally extending the validity of the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) results. This crucial decision, which extends the validity period until March 31, 2026, was taken in response to directions and difficulties highlighted by the Karnataka High Court. The move is specifically aimed at protecting candidates who passed the AIBE but faced delays in completing the final enrolment formalities and obtaining the Certificate of Practice (CoP) from their respective State Bar Councils (SBCs). Aspirants can now complete their mandatory registration without the fear of their AIBE result lapsing due to administrative backlogs.

The Bar Council of India's (BCI) decision to extend the validity of AIBE results, which grants the provisional license to practice law, originated from procedural difficulties faced by law graduates in completing their advocate enrolment formalities at the State Bar Council level.

​A writ petition was filed by two law graduates before the Karnataka High Court, highlighting the delays faced in the enrolment process with the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC). The petitioners argued that due to these administrative and bureaucratic hurdles, their period of eligibility based on their passed AIBE results was on the verge of expiring, penalizing them for delays outside their control.

• ​Court’s Observation: The Karnataka High Court, specifically Justice Suraj Govindaraj, took cognizance of the difficulties and noted that the petitioners' apprehension regarding their enrolment period lapsing was justified given the pending process.
• ​BCI's Assurance: In response to the Court's intervention, the BCI informed the High Court that it had proactively decided to extend the validity of the AIBE results to provide adequate time for the SBCs, including the KSBC, to clear the pending applications.
• ​New Validity Date: The BCI officially extended the validity of the AIBE results for the affected candidates until March 31, 2026, ensuring a uniform and generous timeframe for the completion of the enrolment formalities across the country.
• ​Disposing of the Plea: In light of the BCI's extension and the assurance from the KSBC to process all pending applications well before the new validity date, the High Court disposed of the original writ petition, deeming the petitioners' concern addressed.

​Implications for Law Graduates and Provisional Practice

​This validity extension provides a vital reprieve and clarity for a specific cohort of law graduates—those who have successfully cleared the AIBE but have not yet been formally awarded the Certificate of Practice (CoP) due to delays in the final administrative process by their State Bar Councils.

​Benefits to Affected Candidates:

• ​Protection from Lapsing: The extension prevents the AIBE result from becoming invalid before the candidate can complete the required enrolment procedures, ensuring their right to practice remains secure.
• ​Uninterrupted Practice: Law graduates who are currently practicing under a provisional enrolment with their SBC can continue their legal work without the fear of their license being suspended due to the imminent expiry of their AIBE qualification period.
• ​Time for Document Verification: SBCs often require rigorous document verification, which can lead to delays. The extended validity gives SBCs the necessary buffer time to address administrative backlogs, including verification of mark sheets and other credentials.
• ​Clarity on Future Eligibility: The clear deadline of March 31, 2026, allows both the candidates and the SBCs to structure their activities efficiently, ensuring all formalities are completed within the new window.

​The Role of AIBE in Professional Enrolment:

​It is essential for aspiring advocates to understand the two-step process of entering the legal profession:

1. ​Provisional Enrolment: After completing the LL.B. degree, a candidate first registers provisionally with their respective State Bar Council (e.g., KSBC, Delhi Bar Council). This allows them to practice for a limited period (historically 2 years, recently extended to 3 years for some cohorts).
2. ​Permanent Enrolment/CoP: To receive the permanent Certificate of Practice (CoP), which is essential to continue practice, the candidate must successfully clear the All India Bar Examination (AIBE).

​The BCI's extension ensures that the AIBE result, once obtained, retains its essential currency for the SBCs to complete the CoP issuance process.

​ Focus on AIBE 20 and Future Policy Outlook

​While the validity extension is a retrospective benefit for previous AIBE passers, it underscores the BCI's acknowledgment of procedural challenges and its intent to ensure a smoother transition for all aspiring advocates, including those preparing for the upcoming AIBE 20.

• ​Upcoming AIBE 20 Exam: The next examination, AIBE 20, is scheduled for November 30, 2025. Candidates who successfully pass this exam will receive their results later, and their CoP process will also fall under the existing rules, with the BCI continually assessing the need for flexibility.
• ​Consistent Policy Review: The BCI has, in recent years, shown a willingness to adapt its rules concerning AIBE validity and provisional practice periods (e.g., extending the provisional practice period from two years to three years for lawyers enrolled in 2022 or later) in light of administrative and extraordinary circumstances.
• ​Document Verification Fee Issue: It is noteworthy that the petitioners in the Karnataka High Court case also raised the issue of the ₹2,500 document verification fee charged by the KSBC, arguing that it lacked statutory backing. The High Court, however, refrained from ruling on this matter as a similar issue is currently pending before the Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition No. 352/2023, indicating that BCI policies remain under judicial scrutiny.

​Aspirants are advised to keep abreast of these policy changes, as they directly impact the timelines and requirements for entering the Indian legal profession.

​Conclusion

​The Bar Council of India's extension of the AIBE result validity until March 31, 2026, in light of the Karnataka High Court's observations, delivers crucial relief to law graduates caught in the administrative backlog of State Bar Councils. This temporary but significant policy adjustment reaffirms the BCI’s commitment to facilitating a smooth entry into the legal fraternity for qualified candidates. Law graduates who have cleared the AIBE can now confidently pursue their final enrolment and secure their Certificate of Practice (CoP), marking the official beginning of their careers as advocates in India.

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