AIBE XXI (21) 2026 Exam – Exam Day Guidelines | Checklist | Question Pattern | Rules

 

The All India Bar Examination (AIBE XXI/21) 2026, conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI) will be held on June 7, 2026, is a mandatory qualifying examination for law graduates seeking the Certificate of Practice (CoP) to practise law in India. The examination will be conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode at designated exam centres across the country.

Table of Contents

1. AIBE XXI (21) Exam 2026 – Overview
2. AIBE 2026 Important Dates & Exam Schedule
3. AIBE XXI (21) Exam Pattern & Question Paper Structure
4. AIBE 2026 Exam Day Guidelines Issued by BCI
5. AIBE 2026 Exam Day Checklist (Must-Carry Items)
6. AIBE Exam Day FAQs

1. AIBE XXI (21) Exam 2026 – Overview

Candidates appearing for AIBE 21 (2026) must strictly adhere to the official exam day guidelines, reporting time, and document requirements to avoid disqualification or last-minute inconvenience. One of the most important prerequisites for entry into the examination hall is the AIBE XXI admit card 2026, along with a valid photo identity proof.

AIBE is conducted as an open-book examination, allowing candidates to carry Bare Acts without notes, comments, or annotations, subject to BCI guidelines. Understanding what items are allowed and not allowed in the AIBE exam hall is crucial, as any violation of open-book rules may lead to cancellation of candidature.

This article serves as a complete AIBE 2026 exam day guide, covering key highlights such as the AIBE 21 exam date, official schedule, exam pattern, reporting instructions, exam day checklist, items permitted under open book rules, and important do’s and don’ts, to help candidates remain fully prepared and stress-free on the day of the examination.

As per the latest AIBE-XXI notification:

• Online Registration – February 11, 2026
• Admit Card – May 22, 2026
• Exam Date – June 7, 2026

2. AIBE 2026 Important Dates & Exam Schedule

The All India Bar Examination (AIBE XXI/21) 2026, conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI), has been officially scheduled for June 7, 2026. The examination will be held in offline (pen-and-paper) mode across designated exam centres in India.

Candidates appearing for AIBE 21 (2026) must keep track of all critical dates, including registration deadlines, admit card release, and exam day schedule, to ensure timely compliance with BCI requirements. Missing any deadline may lead to rejection of candidature.

2.1 AIBE XXI (21) 2026 – Official Schedule

Events	Official Dates
Online Registration Opens	February 11, 2026
Online Payment Begins	February 11, 2026
Last Date for Online Registration	April 30, 2026
Last Date for Online Payment	May 1, 2026
Last Date for Application Correction	May 3, 2026
Admit Card Release	May 22, 2026
AIBE-XX Exam Date	June 7, 2026

2.2 AIBE 2026 Exam Timing, Shift & Reporting Instructions

The AIBE 2026 exam will be conducted in a single shift, with the exact exam timing, reporting time, and gate closing time mentioned on the AIBE XXI admit card 2026. Candidates are strongly advised to reach the exam centre at least 60–90 minutes before the scheduled commencement of the examination.

As per BCI exam-day guidelines, candidates must:

• Report to the allotted exam centre well before the reporting time
• Carry a printed AIBE 21 admit card along with a valid government-issued photo ID
• Follow all instructions related to seat allotment, verification, and exam hall rules as mentioned on the hall ticket

Arriving early helps candidates complete identity verification and security checks smoothly and reduces last-minute anxiety on the exam day.

2.3 AIBE XXI (21) Passing Criteria (Qualifying Marks)

To qualify the AIBE 2026 examination, candidates must secure the following minimum marks:

• 45% – General/OBC categories
• 40% – SC/ST/PwD categories

Candidates who successfully clear the examination will be eligible to receive the Certificate of Practice (CoP) from the Bar Council of India.

3. AIBE XXI (21) Exam Pattern & Question Paper Structure

Candidates appearing for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE XXI/21) 2026 must be well acquainted with the AIBE exam pattern, question paper structure, and marking scheme to plan their preparation effectively. The exam pattern released by the Bar Council of India (BCI) clearly defines the mode of examination, duration, type of questions, marking scheme, and language options.

The AIBE 21 exam is conducted as a certification-based qualifying examination, aimed at assessing a candidate’s ability to practise law and apply legal principles in real-life situations. Understanding the structure of the paper is crucial, especially since AIBE is an open book examination.

Events	Official Dates
Mode of Examination	Offline (Pen-and-Paper Based)
Type of Examination	Certification-based (for Certificate of Practice)
Duration of Examination	3 Hours 30 Minutes (20 minutes extra per hour for PwD candidates)
Type of Questions	Objective Type (MCQs)
Total Number of Questions	100
Total Marks	100 (1 mark for each correct answer)
Negative Marking	No
Open Book Exam	Yes (Bare Acts without notes/comments allowed)
Medium of Examination	Hindi English Telugu Tamil Kannada Marathi Bengali Gujarati Odia Punjabi Assamese Nepali Sindhi Malayalam Urdu Dogri Bodo Maithili

3.1 Important Points About AIBE Question Paper Structure

• All questions are multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
• Each question carries one mark, with no negative marking
• The question paper tests practical application of law, not rote memorisation
• Candidates must rely on Bare Acts and legal understanding, not commentary

4. AIBE 2026 Exam Day Guidelines Issued by BCI

The All India Bar Examination (AIBE XXI/21) 2026 is conducted under strict supervision by the Bar Council of India (BCI). Candidates must follow all exam day instructions, reporting rules, and conduct guidelines to ensure smooth entry and avoid disqualification.

4.1 Mandatory Documents for AIBE 2026 Exam Day

• Printed AIBE XXI (21) Admit Card 2026
• Valid Government-issued Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)

Note – Candidates without an admit card or valid ID proof will not be allowed to enter the examination centre.

4.2 AIBE 2026 Reporting Time & Entry Rules

• Candidates must report to the examination centre by 11:30 AM
• Late entry after 01:15 PM is strictly prohibited
• Candidates are advised to visit the exam centre one day in advance to avoid last-minute delays
• Once the exam begins, no candidate will be permitted to leave the examination hall before completion

4.3 Items Allowed & Prohibited in AIBE Exam Hall

Allowed

• Bare Acts only, strictly without notes, comments, annotations, or commentary

Not Allowed

• Mobile phones, smart/digital watches
• Bags, handbags, calculators
• Electronic gadgets or communication devices
• Books, notes, papers, or study material (other than permitted Bare Acts)

Note – Any candidate found in possession of prohibited items or indulging in unfair means or copying will be summarily disqualified.

4.4 Answer Sheet & OMR Instructions

• All responses must be marked only with Blue or Black ball-point pen
• Use of pencil is not permitted and will lead to disqualification
• Candidates must correctly fill:

1. 1. Roll Number
   2. Question Booklet Set Code

• Any error or omission in OMR details may result in rejection of the answer sheet

4.5 PwD Candidates – Extra Time & Scribe Rules

• Candidates with 40% or more disability are entitled to 20 minutes extra time per hour
• A certified disability certificate must be submitted to the invigilator
  Scribes are permitted as per Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment guidelines
• The scribe must:

1. 1. Be 2–3 academic years below the candidate’s qualification
   2. Not be from humanities with Political Science or Legal Studies
   3. Carry valid school ID, age proof, and address proof

• In certain disabilities, a medical certificate from a government healthcare authority is mandatory

4.6 Important Disclaimer

• AIBE candidature is provisional
• If a candidate is found ineligible at any stage, their candidature will be rejected
• Candidates caught cheating or using unfair means may be debarred from future AIBE examinations

5. AIBE 2026 Exam Day Checklist (Must-Carry Items)

Candidates appearing for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE XXI/21) 2026, conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI), must ensure they carry all mandatory and permitted items to the exam centre. Missing any essential document or item may lead to delay in verification or denial of entry.

Use the checklist below to stay fully prepared on the AIBE 2026 exam day.

AIBE XXI (21) 2026 – Exam Day Checklist

Item	Details/Remarks
AIBE XXI Admit Card 2026	AIBE XXI Admit Card 2026 Carry 2 printed copies for safety
Valid Photo ID Proof	Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence
Passport-Size Photograph	Same as uploaded in AIBE registration (recommended)
Bare Acts	Allowed without notes or comments (subject to verification)
Blue/Black Ball-Point Pens	Carry 2–3 pens to avoid last-minute issues
AIBE Registration Documents	Optional, but useful for identity verification
Simple Analogue Watch	Digital or smart watches are not permitted
Transparent Water Bottle	Recommended for long exam duration
Face Mask/Personal Hygiene Items	As per centre requirements (if applicable)

6. FAQs on AIBE Exam Day

FAQ 1. Is AIBE an open book examination?

Yes. The AIBE XXI (21) Exam 2026 is an open book examination, where candidates are permitted to carry Bare Acts without notes, comments, or annotations, subject to verification at the exam centre.

FAQ 2. Can I carry highlighted or marked Bare Acts in AIBE?

Bare Acts with highlights, notes, comments, or commentary are not allowed. Only clean Bare Acts without additional content are permitted, as per guidelines issued by the Bar Council of India (BCI).

FAQ 3. What is the passing criteria for AIBE XXI (21)?

To qualify AIBE 2026:

• 45% marks are required for General and OBC candidates
• 40% marks are required for SC, ST, and PwD candidates

FAQ 4. Can I practise anywhere in India after clearing AIBE 2026?

Yes. After clearing AIBE XXI (21) 2026, candidates are issued the Certificate of Practice (CoP), which authorises them to practise law across all courts in India, including district courts, High Courts, and tribunals.

FAQ 5. Can the AIBE exam centre be changed after registration?

No. AIBE exam centres cannot be changed after final submission of the application form. Candidates must appear only at the exam centre mentioned on their AIBE XXI admit card 2026. Only limited details may be editable during the correction window.

FAQ 6. What happens after clearing the AIBE exam?

Candidates who successfully clear AIBE XXI (21) will be awarded the Certificate of Practice (CoP), enabling them to practise law in India.

FAQ 7. Do questions repeat in the AIBE exam?

Some topics or conceptual questions may repeat from previous AIBE papers, particularly from core subjects. However, candidates should not rely solely on past papers and must prepare the entire AIBE syllabus as prescribed by BCI.

FAQ 8. Are PwD and scribe guidelines available for AIBE 2026?

Yes. The BCI provides PwD and scribe guidelines for AIBE. Eligible candidates must arrange their own scribe and carry all required disability and medical certificates as specified in admit card and official instructions.

FAQ 9. How many attempts are allowed for AIBE?

There is no limit on the number of attempts for AIBE. Candidates can appear for the examination multiple times until they qualify and receive the Certificate of Practice.

FAQ 10. Who is exempted from appearing in AIBE?

Candidates who completed their 3-year or 5-year LLB degree before the academic year 2009–2010 are exempted from AIBE. Additionally, candidates who graduated in 2008 or earlier, even if enrolled later with a State Bar Council, are not required to appear for AIBE.