AIBE 21 (XXI) 2026 Eligibility Criteria
AIBE 21 registration process to start this month, February 11 2026.The Bar Council of India (BCI) conducts this exam which is a certification exam for law graduates to obtain the Certificate of Practice (CoP) and practice law in India. Following recent Supreme Court judgments and BCI clarifications (as of 2025-2026),
You can check certain point besides being holding the Law Degree.Below is the complete and updated eligibility breakdown:
AIBE 21 (XXI) Educational Qualification
- Degree: A 3-year LLB or 5-year integrated LLB degree from a university or college recognized/approved by the Bar Council of India (BCI).
- Appearing Candidates- The candidates who are appearing in their final-year/final-semester students are eligible to appear, with following condition
- They have no backlogs from previous semesters/years.
- They are in the final semester (e.g., Semester 6 for 3-year LLB or Semester 10 for 5-year LLB).
- Law graduates who have passed all exams but have not yet received their degree certificate are also eligible.
- No minimum percentage/marks required in the LLB degree to appear for AIBE.
- Candidates from non-BCI recognized institutions are strictly ineligible.
2. State Bar Council Enrollment
A important generally a candidate miss while applying to the AIBE 21 (XXI)
- You should have enrollment with any State Bar Council is NOT mandatory to register or appear for AIBE 21.
- Under Section 24 of the Advocates Act, 1961, law graduates must be enrolled as advocates with their respective State Bar Council and possess an enrollment number to apply for the exam.Â
- Candidates who have never enrolled, or who previously enrolled but surrendered their enrollment, are fully eligible to apply.
- However, to receive the Certificate of Practice (CoP) after passing AIBE, enrollment with a State Bar Council becomes mandatory eventually.
3. Nationality
- Indian citizen can apply
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) or Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) with a valid Indian LLB degree are also eligible.
4. Age Limit
- There is no upper or lower age limit. Candidates of any age can appear.
5. Number of Attempts
How many times I can appear
- You can appear as many times as needed until you pass.
6. Special Categories
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Eligible with the same criteria; they get extra time in the exam and relaxed passing marks (40%).
- Pre-2009-10 Law Graduates: Exempt from AIBE entirely (no need to appear or obtain CoP).
- Final-Year Students’ Result Condition: If you appear as a final-year student and pass AIBE, your result/CoP will be provisional and subject to successfully completing your LLB without backlogs.
AIBE 21 Eligibility at a Glance
| Criteria | Details |
| Qualifying Degree | 3-year LLB or 5-year integrated LLB from BCI-recognized institution |
| Final-Year Students | Eligible (no backlogs from previous semesters) |
| Degree Not Received Yet | Eligible (if all exams passed) |
| State Bar Enrollment | Not required to appear; required later for CoP |
| Age Limit | None |
| Minimum Marks in LLB | None |
| Number of Attempts | Unlimited |
| Nationality | Indian (OCI/PIO with Indian LLB eligible) |
| Passing Marks in AIBE | 45% (General/OBC); 40% (SC/ST/PwD) |
These criteria are based on the latest BCI clarifications, Supreme Court directives, and official portal updates as of early 2026.
FAQs
andidates who have passed or are appearing in the final semester/year of 3-year LLB or 5-year integrated LLB from a BCI-recognized institution. Final-year students with no backlogs are allowed.
No minimum percentage is required in LLB. Enrollment with any State Bar Council is not mandatory to appear for AIBE 21.
There is no upper age limit to appear for AIBE 21
As long as you do not get certificate of practice, so there is no limit
Your result will be treated provisional unless you complete your degree
General / OBC: 45% (45 marks out of 100) SC / ST / PwD: 40% (40 marks out of 100)
