AIBE Twice a Year: BCI 2026 Policy Change and Impact on AIBE 22

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has officially decided to conduct the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) twice a year starting 2026, replacing the single annual session that was previously in place.

This change directly affects law graduates appearing for AIBE 22 and all future sessions. With two sessions per year, you now get more opportunities to earn the Certificate of Practice without waiting an entire year between attempts. Below is a complete breakdown of what changes, what stays the same, and how AIBE 22 fits into the new BCI framework.

• AIBE will have two sessions per year from 2026 — a mid-year session and an end-of-year session.
• AIBE 22 is scheduled for July 19, 2026 and is among the first sessions under the revised BCI policy.
• The exam format is unchanged: 100 MCQ questions, open-book, 3.5-hour duration, no negative marking.
• Passing marks remain 45 out of 100 for general category and 40 out of 100 for SC/ST.
• Law graduates who did not clear an earlier session now have two chances annually to qualify.

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BCI 2026 Policy Change: AIBE Twice a Year

The Bar Council of India revised its examination policy to address the large backlog of law graduates awaiting the Certificate of Practice. A single annual AIBE session meant that if you missed the exam or needed to re-attempt, you had to wait up to 12 months. The biannual schedule cuts that waiting period roughly in half.

Under the 2026 policy, BCI will conduct AIBE in two sessions each year — a mid-year session around June to July and an end-of-year session around November to December. AIBE 22, scheduled for July 19, 2026, is positioned as the mid-year session under this revised framework.

The BCI notification confirming the biannual schedule is available on the official BCI website. The change takes effect from the 2026 calendar year and does not alter the syllabus, marking scheme, or open-book format of the examination.

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AIBE 22 Schedule and Key Dates

AIBE 22 is the next upcoming session. The table below lists key dates to track:

All remaining dates — including registration, admit card, and result — will be published on the BCI official website. Dates for AIBE 23 are expected based on the biannual policy schedule and are subject to BCI confirmation.

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What Changes Under the New AIBE Policy

The 2026 BCI policy introduces the following structural changes to how AIBE is scheduled:

The most important change is the reduction in the re-attempt gap. Earlier, a missed or failed attempt meant a full calendar year’s wait. Under the new schedule, the gap between sessions is roughly five to six months. The BCI has also confirmed that there is no limit on the number of attempts — you can appear as many times as required until you qualify.

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What Stays the Same: Exam Pattern and Eligibility

The core AIBE exam structure and eligibility remain unchanged for AIBE 22 and all subsequent sessions. Here is the confirmed exam pattern:

Eligibility criteria are also unchanged. To appear for AIBE, you must hold an LLB degree (3-year or 5-year integrated) from a BCI-recognised university and be enrolled as an advocate with your respective State Bar Council. There is no upper age limit for AIBE.

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Impact on Law Graduates: Opportunities and Planning

The biannual AIBE schedule changes how you should plan your preparation and legal career timeline. Here is how different groups are affected:

First-time AIBE 22 students: If you appear in July 2026 and do not qualify, the next session (AIBE 23) is expected in November to December 2026 — a wait of roughly five months rather than a full year.

Students who did not qualify AIBE 21 or earlier: AIBE 22 on July 19, 2026 is your next opportunity. If you need another attempt, AIBE 23 is expected later in 2026.

Fresh LLB graduates of 2026: If you complete enrollment with the State Bar Council by September or October 2026, you may be eligible for AIBE 23 in November to December 2026. Confirm your State Bar Council’s enrollment processing timeline well in advance.

Certificate of Practice implications: With AIBE now held twice a year, BCI will issue the Certificate of Practice twice annually. This shortens the gap between qualifying and gaining the legal right to appear independently in courts — a meaningful change for law graduates entering employment or starting their own practice.

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