AIBE Exam: SC Rejects Plea Against INR 3,500 AIBE Fee Charged by BCI

A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Sandeep Mehta observed that the BCI incurs heavt expenses to organise the AIBE Exam. Hence, the AIBE Fee Strcuture does not violate any provisions of the Constitution.  The plea, filed by advocate Sanyam Gandhi, had questioned the BCI’s fee of INR 3,500 (plus incidental charges) for General/OBC candidates and INR 2,500 (plus incidental charges) for SC/ST candidates. Gandhi argued that this system violated Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 19(1)(g) (Right to Practice Profession), and Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, 1961.

AIBE Exam: SC Rejects Plea Against AIBE Fee Charged by BCI

AIBE Exam 2025: The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging INR 3,500 fee charged by the Bar Council of India (BCI) for conducting the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). The BCI is expected to release the AIBE 20 Notification anytime soon. AIBE 20 Exam 2025 is likely to be held on December 21, 2025.

A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Sandeep Mehta observed that the BCI incurs heavt expenses to organise the AIBE Exam. Hence, the AIBE Fee Strcuture does not violate any provisions of the Constitution.  The plea, filed by advocate Sanyam Gandhi, had questioned the BCI’s fee of INR 3,500 (plus incidental charges) for General/OBC candidates and INR 2,500 (plus incidental charges) for SC/ST candidates. Gandhi argued that this system violated Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 19(1)(g) (Right to Practice Profession), and Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, 1961.

The court further noted that Gandhi had earlier been asked to approach the BCI before moving the Apex Court. The petition had further sought a ban on collecting such fees in the future and a refund of amounts already collected for the upcoming AIBE-XIX (2025). Earlier, the Apex Court had also asked the BCI about the existence of a scheme to waive fees for financially weak law graduates appearing for the exam.