AIBE (XXI) Exam Pattern 2026: Paper Mode, Marking Scheme, MCQs, No. of Questions & Language Options

All India Bar Examination 2026 ( AIBE )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 11 Feb '26 - 30 Apr '26

Anupama Mehra
Updated on Feb 17, 2026 12:42 IST

By Anupama Mehra, Assistant Manager – Content

The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) XXI (21) is a certification exam mandatory for practicing law in Indian courts. The Bar Council of India (BCI) will conduct the AIBE XXI Examination on June 7, 2026. The AIBE 21 Exam Dates 2026 were announced in the official notification. The AIBE 21 Notification also carried important information like exam schedule, fee structure, exam pattern, etc. 

The online registration for AIBE 21 will begin on February 11, 2026. Candidates must note that the last date to fill the AIBE 21 Application Form 2026 is on or before April 30, 2026. Candidates who are planning to give the AIBE 21 must understand the AIBE exam pattern 2026.

The AIBE 21 Exam Pattern 2026 provides for the structure and format of exam including, the mode of AIBE exam, the marking scheme, language options, and other details. The AIBE exam used to be conducted as an open-book exam, but AIBE 16 session onwards, only Bare Acts without short notes are allowed. As per the AIBE exam paper pattern there will be 100 multiple choice questions. Read the complete article to know about the details regarding the AIBE paper pattern, such as types of questions, number of questions asked, marking schemes, etc.

Also Read: Family Law for AIBE

Table of contents
  • AIBE 21 (XXI) Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
  • AIBE XXI (21) 2026 Exam Pattern
  • AIBE 21 (XXI) Marking Scheme 2026
  • AIBE 21 (XXI) Preparation Tips 2026
  • AIBE 2026 Qualifier's Preparation Strategy
  • AIBE 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
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AIBE 21 (XXI) Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights

The exam paper pattern gives candidates all details like mode, total number of questions, marking scheme and duration of the paper. Check highlights about the AIBE 21 exam pattern below

AIBE Exam Features

Details

Purpose of the exam

AIBE qualification is considered as a minimum benchmark for the practice of law.

Difficulty level

MODERATE.

  • The exam tests the basic skills required to become a lawyer. 
  • The topics included in the AIBE syllabus are similar to ones taught at 3-year and 5-year LLB programs.  

Skills tested

  • Analytical ability
  • Understanding and basic knowledge of the law.

Exam mode

Offline, pen-and-paper exam

Exam type

Certification exam

  • Candidates who qualify in the exam are issued the Certificate of Practice (COP).
  • The COP is mandatory for practicing in a court of law.

Exam duration

3 hours (20 minutes extra provided to candidates with more than 50% disability)

Subjects

19 law subjects

Total questions

100 questions

Type of questions

MCQs

Marking Scheme

One mark per question

No negative marking in case of wrong attempts

Language options

The candidate can choose from any of the following language options:

  1. English
  2. Assamese,
  3. Bengali,
  4. Gujarati,
  5. Hindi,
  6. Kannada, 
  7. Kashmiri 
  8. Konkani,
  9. Malayalam,
  10. Manipuri,
  11. Marathi,
  12. Nepali
  13. Oriya,
  14. Punjabi,
  15. Sanskrit,
  16. Sindhi,
  17. Tamil,
  18. Telugu,
  19. Urdu
  20. Bodo,
  21. Santhali,
  22. Maithili
  23. Dogri

Also Read:

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AIBE XXI (21) 2026 Exam Pattern

According to AIBE 21 syllabus, there are 19 topics (law) from which questions will be framed in the certification exam. Note that the weightage carried by these topics is unequal. For example, Constitutional Law will contribute 10 questions (or 10% weightage), whereas topics like Intellectual Property Law will only contribute only 2 questions. This means the candidate mustn't spend disproportionate time preparing for topics with little weightage but use their preparation time judiciously. As per the revised AIBE Exam Pattern, AIBE is not an open-book exam. As per the new exam pattern, candidates are allowed to carry Bare Acts without notes.

AIBE Subjects

No. of Questions per Subject

AIBE Constitutional Law

10

AIBE Indian Penal Code

8

AIBE Criminal Procedure Code

10

AIBE Code of Civil Procedure

10

AIBE Evidence Act

8

AIBE Alternate Dispute Redressal Including Arbitration Act

4

AIBE Family Law

8

AIBE Public Interest Litigation

4

AIBE Administrative Law

3

AIBE Professional Ethics and Cases of Professional Misconduct under BCI Rules

4

AIBE Company Law

2

AIBE Environmental Law

2

AIBE Cyber Law

2

AIBE Labour and Industrial Laws

4

AIBE Law of Tort including Motor Vehicles Act and Consumer Protection Law

5

AIBE Law of Contract, Specific Relief, Property Laws, Negotiable Instrument Act

8

AIBE Law-Related Taxation 

4

AIBE Land Acquisition Act

2

AIBE Intellectual Property Law

2

Total

100

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AIBE 21 (XXI) Marking Scheme 2026

There is no negative marking in the exam. But one mark is given for every correct answer. In case you leave any questions unanswered, nothing will be deducted.

AIBE Marking Scheme 2026

Particulars Details
Negative Marking No
Number of questions 100
Marks per question  1
Total Marks 100

Also Read: AIBE Qualifying Marks

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AIBE 21 (XXI) Preparation Tips 2026

To prepare efficiently for AIBE 2026 candidates must follow a good study plan. Some of the other tips & tricks to keep in mind while preparing for AIBE  include

  • Checking the syllabus and AIBE 21 exam pattern 2026 thoroughly
  • Choosing limited but the right study material and books for AIBE
  • Do not forget Bare Acts; it forms the most part of AIBE exam preparation
  • Prepare a well-thought-out study plan and adhere to it strictly
  • Attempt as many past year AIBE question papers and sample papers as possible
  • Keep a track of all the recent important law cases and judgements
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AIBE 2026 Qualifier's Preparation Strategy

Knowing how the previous years' AIBE exam qualifiers had prepared for the paper helps a great way. Click on the links below to know the AIBE preparation strategy of previous years' exam qualifiers:

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AIBE 2026 Frequently Asked Questions

Candidates can check important AIBE 21 Frequently Asked Questions below

Q:   Can I prepare for AIBE Exam in one month?
A: 

If you have topped while pursuing law there is still some chance. But if you were an average student who have not prepared even once for the exam, it is next to impossible to prepare for the exam in one month. 

Q:   How to obtain the CoP after clearing AIBE exam?
A: 

Candidates who will successfully pass the AIBE exam will be issued the CoP by BCI. The qualified candidates will have to collect their Certificate of Practice from their respective State Bar Councils. It is a mandatory document to practice Law in India.

Q:   Is AIBE Syllabus difficult?
A: 

The AIBE syllabus is considered moderate in difficulty, focusing on fundamental legal concepts rather than complex, specialised knowledge. However, since it is no more the open-book exam, candidates have huge syllabus to cover. 

Q:   Who conducts AIBE Exam?
A: 

The Bar Council of India conducts the All India Bar Examination. The exam is held to award the Certificate of Practice to law graduates. The BCI handles all aspects of the exam, including the syllabus, exam pattern, and registration, which is available on allindiabarexamination.com. 

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