Vidhi

The Complete AIBE Guide: Syllabus, Exam Pattern & How to Prepare

Everything a law graduate needs to know about the All India Bar Examination — in plain language. Then practise free with source-anchored mock tests.

What is the AIBE?

The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is a certification exam conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI). It tests whether a law graduate has the basic knowledge and skills to practise law in India. Clearing it earns the Certificate of Practice (CoP), which is mandatory to appear in courts across the country. The exam is typically held once or twice a year, and each edition is numbered (AIBE XXI, AIBE XXII, and so on).

Who is eligible?

  • A 3-year or 5-year LLB degree from a university or institution recognised by the Bar Council of India.
  • Enrolment as an advocate with a State Bar Council under Section 24 of the Advocates Act, 1961.
  • No age limit — there is neither a lower nor an upper age bar.
  • No cap on attempts — you may appear until you pass (though you are generally expected to qualify within about two years of provisional enrolment; check the official notification for your edition).

The exam pattern at a glance

ModeOffline (pen-and-paper), single paper
Questions100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
Duration3 hours 30 minutes
Marking+1 for each correct answer; total 100 marks
Negative markingNone — wrong/blank answers score zero
Book accessOpen book — bare Acts & printed references allowed
Passing marks45/100 (General & OBC) · 40/100 (SC, ST & PwD)

Because the AIBE is open book, the real skill it tests is not memorisation but knowing your way around the bare Acts — being able to locate the right section fast and apply it. That is exactly what practising with provision-anchored questions builds.

The AIBE syllabus (subject-wise)

The AIBE draws from the core subjects of an Indian law degree. The current syllabus emphasises the three new criminal codes (BNS, BNSS, BSA). The main subjects are:

  • Constitutional Law
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — the new criminal code (formerly IPC)
  • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) — formerly CrPC
  • Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) — formerly the Evidence Act
  • Code of Civil Procedure (CPC)
  • Law of Contract, and the Specific Relief Act
  • Family Law
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
  • Professional Ethics & Professional Misconduct
  • Public Interest Litigation & Legal Aid
  • Administrative Law
  • Company Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Cyber Law
  • Labour & Industrial Law
  • Law of Tort, incl. Motor Vehicles & Consumer Protection
  • Law related to Taxation
  • Transfer of Property / Property Law
  • Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
  • Negotiable Instruments Act

You can practise every one of these free on Vidhi — each question is tied to the exact statutory provision behind the answer. Start a free mock test →

How to prepare (a simple plan)

  1. Learn the pattern first. 100 questions, no negative marking — so attempt every question. Even a considered guess can only help you.
  2. Practise with the bare Acts open. Since the real exam is open book, train the way you will sit: get comfortable finding a section quickly rather than trying to memorise it.
  3. Prioritise the high-weightage subjects — the new criminal codes (BNS, BNSS, BSA) and the Constitution carry heavy weight.
  4. Take timed, full-length mocks. Building speed and stamina for 3½ hours matters as much as knowing the law.
  5. Review every answer against its provision. Understanding why an answer is right — and which section says so — is what sticks.

Frequently asked questions

Is the AIBE an open-book exam?

Yes. The All India Bar Examination is an open-book exam — you may carry bare Acts and printed reference material into the hall. Electronic devices are not allowed.

How many questions are there in the AIBE?

The AIBE has 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be answered in 3 hours and 30 minutes. It is a single objective-type paper.

Is there negative marking in the AIBE?

No. There is no negative marking. Each correct answer carries +1 mark, and wrong or unattempted questions carry zero. The paper is out of 100 marks.

What are the passing marks for the AIBE?

General and OBC candidates need 45 out of 100 (45%). SC, ST and Persons with Disabilities need 40 out of 100 (40%).

How many attempts are allowed for the AIBE?

The Bar Council of India places no limit on the number of attempts — you may appear until you pass. You are, however, generally expected to qualify within about two years of your provisional enrolment with a State Bar Council. Always check the official notification for the edition you are applying to.

Who is eligible to appear for the AIBE?

Law graduates with a 3-year or 5-year LLB from a Bar Council of India–recognised university, who have enrolled as an advocate with a State Bar Council under Section 24 of the Advocates Act, 1961. There is no upper or lower age limit.

What certificate does passing the AIBE give?

Passing the AIBE earns the Certificate of Practice (CoP) from the Bar Council of India, which is required to practise and appear in courts across India.

Ready to practise?

Take a free, timed AIBE mock test right now — a fresh 25-question paper drawn from a growing bank across the whole syllabus, every question anchored to a real statutory provision.

Start a free mock test →

Related

← Back to Vidhi