AIBE — All India Bar Examination
What is AIBE?
The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI) for newly enrolled advocates. Passing AIBE is mandatory to practise law in any Indian court.
Key facts:
•Administered by: Bar Council of India
•Eligibility: Enrolled advocates (after LLB/LLB Hons)
•Mode: Offline (OMR-based MCQs)
•Duration: 3.5 hours
•Questions: 100 MCQs
•Open book: Yes — you can bring bare acts
•Passing marks: 45% (General), 40% (SC/ST/OBC/PwD)
•Attempts: Unlimited until cleared
AIBE Syllabus — 20 Subject Areas
| # | Subject | Approx. Questions |
|---|
|---|---------|------------------|
| 1 | Constitutional Law | 10 |
|---|
| 2 | Indian Penal Code / BNS | 10 |
| 3 | Code of Civil Procedure | 8 |
| 4 | Code of Criminal Procedure / BNSS | 8 |
| 5 | Indian Evidence Act / BSA | 8 |
| 6 | Family Law I (Hindu Law) | 5 |
| 7 | Family Law II (Muslim Law) | 5 |
| 8 | Contract Act | 5 |
| 9 | Specific Relief Act | 3 |
| 10 | Transfer of Property Act | 4 |
| 11 | Environmental Law | 4 |
| 12 | Labour & Industrial Law | 4 |
| 13 | Law of Torts | 3 |
| 14 | Arbitration, Conciliation & ADR | 3 |
| 15 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| 16 | Company Law | 3 |
| 17 | Intellectual Property Law | 3 |
| 18 | Cyber Law | 3 |
| 19 | Taxation Law (Direct + Indirect) | 3 |
| 20 | Professional Ethics & Bar Council Rules | 3 |
How to Prepare for AIBE
Strategy: Open Book = Know Where to Look, Not What to Memorise
Since the exam is open book, the skill is navigation speed — knowing exactly which section of which act answers the question.
Preparation approach:
1.Compile all bare acts in one folder (PDFs + physical copies)
2.Create a master index: Act → section → topic (e.g. "Contract formation → Section 10, Contract Act")
3.Practice 100 MCQs per day from previous years under 3.5-hour time pressure
4.Focus on frequently tested sections — landmark cases and their section numbers
High-Yield Topics (Appear Every Year)
Constitutional Law:
•Art 14, 19, 21 (FRs most tested)
•Art 32 vs 226 (writs)
•Basic Structure doctrine
•Art 368 (amendment procedure)
IPC / BNS 2023:
•Sec 302/101 BNS — Murder
•Sec 307/109 BNS — Attempt to murder
•Sec 375/63 BNS — Rape definition
•Sec 420/318 BNS — Cheating
•Common intention (Sec 34/3(5) BNS) vs common object (Sec 149/190 BNS)
CPC:
•Order 7 (Plaint), Order 8 (Written Statement)
•Order 39 (Temporary Injunction)
•Sec 9 (jurisdiction), Sec 96 (first appeal), Sec 115 (revision)
•Res judicata (Sec 11), res sub judice (Sec 10)
CrPC / BNSS 2023:
•Sec 154/173 BNSS — FIR
•Sec 41/35 BNSS — Arrest without warrant
•Sec 167/187 BNSS — Remand (60/90 days)
•Sec 438/482 BNSS — Anticipatory bail
Indian Evidence Act / BSA 2023:
•Sec 3 — Definitions (fact, relevant fact, document, evidence)
•Sec 65B/63 BSA — Admissibility of electronic records
•Sec 101-114 — Burden of proof
•Sec 17-31 — Admissions and confessions
Enrollment Process After LLB
Step 1: Apply to State Bar Council within 2 years of LLB completion
Step 2: Pay enrollment fee, submit documents
Step 3: Take oath before State Bar Council
Step 4: Receive Advocate Enrollment Number
Step 5: Register for AIBE (bci-aibe.in)
Step 6: Clear AIBE → receive Certificate of Practice
Documents required for enrollment:
•LLB degree / provisional certificate
•Marksheets (all years)
•Character certificate from college
•Affidavit of good character
•Passport photos, ID proof
•Enrollment fee (varies by state: ₹750–₹15,000)
After AIBE: Starting Your Practice
Types of legal practice:
•Independent practice: Set up own office, find clients
•Junior to a Senior: Most common starting point — 2–5 years under an established advocate
•Law firm associate: Corporate/commercial firms, starting ₹3–8 LPA in metro cities
•In-house counsel: Corporate legal department, IT/Banking/Pharma companies
•Government law officer: State/Central government standing counsel
•Legal aid: DLSA/SLSA/NALSA — government-funded free legal services
Realistic timeline:
•Year 1–3: Junior to a senior, learning court practice, ₹5,000–₹15,000/month stipend
•Year 3–7: Building own practice or joining a firm
•Year 7+: Established practice or Senior designation eligibility (20 years required for Senior Advocate)
