BCI Releases AIBE 21 Schedule: Registration Deadline, Exam Date, and Mandatory Guidelines Out

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has officially opened the gateway for law graduates to secure their legal future. With the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) 21 scheduled for June 7, 2026, the council has released comprehensive guidelines to ensure a transparent and standardized testing process across the country.

As registration remains open at allindiabarexamination.com until April 30, candidates are urged to familiarize themselves with the strict new entry rules and prohibited items list to avoid summary disqualification.

AIBE 21 Exam Day Countdown: Deadlines

Law graduates must navigate the following administrative timeline to remain eligible for the 2026 session:

• Online Registration Closes: April 30, 2026

• Final Date for Fee Payment: May 1, 2026

• Correction Window: Closes May 3, 2026

• Admit Card Release: May 22, 2026

• Exam Date (Offline/OMR): June 7, 2026

Mandatory Entry Requirements & Timings

The BCI has emphasized that no candidate will be allowed entry without proper documentation.

• Essential Documents: You MUST carry a printed admit card and a government-issued photo ID (Aadhar, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence).

• Reporting Time: Candidates must report to their assigned centers by 11:30 AM.

• Strict Entry Cut-off: Entry will be strictly prohibited after 01:15 PM.

• Center Visit: It is highly recommended to visit the exam venue at least one day in advance to avoid last-minute delays.

Strict Rules on Prohibited & Allowed Items

The AIBE 21 remains an "Open Book" style exam, but with very specific limitations on what materials can enter the hall.

• Allowed: Only BARE ACTS (without notes and comments) are permitted inside the examination center.

• Banned: Mobile phones, digital/smartwatches, calculators, bags, books, and handwritten notes are strictly prohibited.

• Stationery: All markings on the OMR sheet must be done with a Blue or Black Ball Point Pen only. Use of a pencil will lead to immediate disqualification.

Exam Accommodations for PwD Candidates

The BCI has established clear protocols for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) to ensure an equitable examination environment:

• Extra Time: Candidates with more than 40% disability are entitled to 20 minutes of extra time per hour. A certified copy of the disability certificate must be submitted to the invigilator.

• Scribe Facility: Candidates with blindness, locomotor disability (both arms affected), or cerebral palsy may use a scribe.

• The scribe must be an undergraduate who is not pursuing law or any humanities course.

• Centers will not provide scribes; candidates must arrange their own and complete the "Appendix-II" proforma.

• For other functional limitations, a medical certificate from a Chief Medical Officer or Civil Surgeon (Appendix-I) is required.

Passing Criteria: Securing Your COP

Clearing the AIBE 21 is mandatory for obtaining the Certificate of Practice (COP), which allows advocates to represent clients in Indian courts.

• General/OBC: 45% Minimum

• SC/ST/Disabled: 40% Minimum

Any error in filling out the Question Booklet Set Code or Roll Number on the OMR sheet will lead to direct rejection of the answer sheet, so candidates are advised to verify their entries twice.