The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is an open-book qualifying test conducted by the Bar Council of India. AIBE XXI (2026) is a pen-and-paper OMR exam with 100 multiple-choice questions for 100 marks, to be completed in 3 hours 30 minutes. The exam carries no negative marking, and you may carry only Bare Acts (without notes) into the hall.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Bar Council of India (BCI) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (OMR-based, pen and paper) |
| Format | Open book (Bare Acts allowed) |
| Total Questions | 100 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 100 marks |
| Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes) |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Medium | 11 languages (including English and Hindi) |
- AIBE XXI 2026 is a 210-minute OMR-based test with 100 MCQs for 100 marks.
- Each correct answer earns +1 mark; there is no negative marking for wrong or unattempted questions.
- The exam is open book — you may carry Bare Acts without notes or comments, but no guides, mobile phones, or calculators.
- The paper covers 19 subjects, with Constitutional Law, CrPC, and CPC carrying the highest weightage at 10 questions each.
- The passing mark is 45% (45 marks) for General and OBC students, and 40% (40 marks) for SC, ST, and PwD students.
- AIBE XXI is scheduled for June 7, 2026, and the pattern stays identical across all 11 language versions.
| Direct Link | Access |
|---|---|
| Direct Link to AIBE Official Website 2026 | allindiabarexamination.com |
Table of Contents
- AIBE Exam Pattern 2026: Overview
- AIBE Exam Pattern 2026: Important Dates
- AIBE 2026: Detailed Exam Pattern
- AIBE Marking Scheme 2026
- AIBE Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2026
- AIBE Question Types 2026
- AIBE Exam Pattern: Changes in 2026 vs Previous Year
- How to Prepare Based on AIBE Exam Pattern
- AIBE Exam Pattern FAQs
AIBE Exam Pattern 2026: Overview
The AIBE exam pattern 2026 is set by the Bar Council of India and stays the same every year. The test is a single-paper, offline OMR exam with 100 objective questions spread across 19 law subjects. You get 3 hours 30 minutes to attempt the paper.
AIBE XXI 2026 is a 210-minute pen-and-paper test with 100 MCQs for 100 marks and no negative marking.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Offline, OMR-based (pen and paper) |
| Type of Questions | Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Marks per Question | 1 mark |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Number of Subjects | 19 |
| Languages | 11 (including English and Hindi) |
| Open Book | Yes — Bare Acts allowed (no notes/comments) |
Source: All India Bar Examination
AIBE Exam Pattern 2026: Important Dates
You should track the AIBE XXI 2026 schedule so you finish registration and download your admit card on time. The exam is scheduled for June 7, 2026. The dates below follow the official BCI notification.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| AIBE XXI Examination | June 7, 2026 |
| AIBE XXI Result Declaration | To be announced |
| Online Registration Begins | February 11, 2026 (Over) |
| Online Registration Closes | April 30, 2026 (Over) |
| Last Date of Fee Payment (Online) | May 1, 2026 (Over) |
| Last Date of Form Correction | May 3, 2026 (Over) |
| Admit Card Released From | May 22, 2026 (Over) |
The AIBE XXI exam is yet to be held on June 7, 2026 — your admit card has been available since May 22, 2026.
Source: Bar Council of India
AIBE 2026: Detailed Exam Pattern
The AIBE 2026 paper is a single section of 100 MCQs with one mark each. There is no separate timing or sub-section break — you manage all 3 hours 30 minutes yourself. The table below shows the full structure.
| Section / Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Paper | 19 law subjects (combined) | 100 | 1 | 100 | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Total | — | 100 | — | 100 marks | 210 minutes |
Note: You must mark all answers on the OMR sheet using a blue or black ball point pen only. Using a pencil leads to disqualification of the exam.
You report at the centre by 11:30 AM, and entry closes at 1:15 PM. As an open-book exam, you may carry Bare Acts without notes or comments; mobile phones, calculators, books, and printed notes are not allowed.
AIBE Marking Scheme 2026
The AIBE marking scheme 2026 is simple and student-friendly. Every question carries one mark, and there is no negative marking. So you should attempt all 100 questions, even when you are unsure.
| Question Type | Marks for Correct Answer | Marks for Wrong Answer | Marks for Unattempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (Single Correct) | +1 | 0 | 0 |
There is no negative marking in AIBE 2026 — never leave a question blank, since a wrong answer costs you nothing.
The qualifying marks depend on your category. The table below shows the minimum score you need to clear AIBE XXI.
| Category | Passing Percentage | Minimum Marks (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC | 45% | 45 |
| SC / ST / PwD | 40% | 40 |
Source: Bar Council of India
AIBE Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2026
The 100 questions in AIBE XXI are split across 19 subjects. Knowing the weightage helps you plan which Bare Acts to prepare first. The high-weightage procedural and substantive laws together carry more than half the paper.
Core Procedural and Substantive Laws (Highest Weightage)
These subjects carry the most questions, so you should keep their Bare Acts tabbed and ready.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Law | 10 | 10 |
| Cr.P.C. & Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita | 10 | 10 |
| C.P.C. (Code of Civil Procedure) | 10 | 10 |
| I.P.C. & Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita | 8 | 8 |
| Evidence Act & Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam | 8 | 8 |
| Family Law | 8 | 8 |
| Law of Contract, Specific Relief, Property & Negotiable Instrument Act | 8 | 8 |
Public and Specialised Laws (Medium Weightage)
These subjects carry three to five questions each and are scoring if you revise the basics.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Law of Tort, Motor Vehicle Act & Consumer Protection Law | 5 | 5 |
| Alternative Dispute Redressal including Arbitration Act | 4 | 4 |
| Public Interest Litigation | 4 | 4 |
| Professional Ethics & Cases of Professional Misconduct (BCI Rules) | 4 | 4 |
| Labour & Industrial Law | 4 | 4 |
| Law related to Taxation | 4 | 4 |
| Administrative Law | 3 | 3 |
Commercial and Emerging Laws (Lower Weightage)
These subjects carry two questions each, but every mark counts toward your qualifying score.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Company Law | 2 | 2 |
| Environmental Law | 2 | 2 |
| Cyber Law | 2 | 2 |
| Land Acquisition Act | 2 | 2 |
| Intellectual Property Laws | 2 | 2 |
| Total (all 19 subjects) | 100 | 100 |
Source: All India Bar Examination
AIBE Question Types 2026
AIBE XXI uses a single question format throughout. Understanding it helps you read and answer faster on exam day.
- Single-correct MCQs: Every one of the 100 questions is a multiple-choice question with one correct option out of four.
- Application-based questions: Many questions test how you apply a section of a Bare Act to a short factual situation.
- Direct knowledge questions: Some questions ask straight provisions, definitions, or landmark case principles.
- No descriptive or numerical questions: There are no essay, true/false, or integer-type questions in AIBE.
Because AIBE is an open-book exam, questions often check whether you can locate the right provision quickly in your Bare Act.
AIBE Exam Pattern: Changes in 2026 vs Previous Year
The AIBE exam pattern 2026 (XXI) stays the same as AIBE XX. The number of questions, marks, duration, open-book format, and marking scheme are unchanged. The syllabus continues to test the new criminal codes alongside the older Acts.
| Parameter | AIBE XX (2025) | AIBE XXI (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 100 |
| Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Mode | Offline, OMR (open book) | Offline, OMR (open book) |
| Negative Marking | None | None |
| Passing Marks (Gen/OBC) | 45% | 45% |
| Passing Marks (SC/ST/PwD) | 40% | 40% |
The AIBE pattern has not changed in 2026 — the new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA) continue to be tested alongside the IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act.
How to Prepare Based on AIBE Exam Pattern
Your AIBE strategy should follow the pattern directly. Because it is an open-book exam with no negative marking, speed and Bare Act familiarity matter more than rote memorisation.
- Prioritise high-weightage subjects. Constitutional Law, CrPC, and CPC carry 10 questions each — start your revision here.
- Tab your Bare Acts. Index and flag important sections so you can find provisions within seconds during the exam.
- Attempt every question. With no negative marking, leaving any of the 100 questions blank only loses you marks.
- Practise time management. You get about 2 minutes per question, so avoid spending too long searching for any one answer.
- Study the new criminal codes. Prepare BNS, BNSS, and BSA along with the IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act.
- Solve past AIBE papers. They reveal the application-based style and the provisions repeated each year.
- Aim above the cut-off. Target well past 45 marks so a few tough questions do not put your result at risk.
AIBE Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques. How many questions are asked in AIBE 2026?
Ans. AIBE XXI 2026 has 100 multiple-choice questions in total. They are spread across 19 law subjects, and each question carries one mark.
Ques. Is there negative marking in AIBE 2026?
Ans. No, AIBE 2026 has no negative marking. A wrong or unattempted answer costs you zero marks, so you should attempt all 100 questions.
Ques. What is the duration of the AIBE XXI exam?
Ans. The AIBE XXI exam runs for 3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes). There is no separate sectional timing, so you plan the full duration yourself.
Ques. Is AIBE an open-book exam?
Ans. Yes, AIBE is an open-book exam. You may carry Bare Acts without notes or comments, but mobile phones, calculators, books, and printed notes are not allowed.
Ques. What are the passing marks for AIBE 2026?
Ans. General and OBC students must score 45% (45 out of 100 marks). SC, ST, and PwD students must score 40% (40 marks) to qualify.
Ques. Is AIBE conducted online or offline?
Ans. AIBE 2026 is an offline, OMR-based exam. You mark your answers on the OMR sheet using only a blue or black ball point pen.
Ques. Which subject has the highest weightage in AIBE 2026?
Ans. Constitutional Law, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Code of Civil Procedure each carry 10 questions. They jointly hold the highest weightage in the paper.
Ques. How many marks is each AIBE question worth?
Ans. Each AIBE question carries one mark. With 100 questions, the paper totals 100 marks, and there is no partial or negative scoring.
Ques. In how many languages is the AIBE exam held?
Ans. AIBE is conducted in 11 languages, including English and Hindi. The exam pattern and questions stay identical across all language versions.
Ques. Has the AIBE exam pattern changed in 2026?
Ans. No, the AIBE XXI 2026 pattern is the same as AIBE XX. The questions, marks, duration, open-book format, and marking scheme are all unchanged.
Ques. Should I attempt all questions in AIBE 2026?
Ans. Yes, you should attempt all 100 questions. Since there is no negative marking, every guess can only help and never hurt your score.
Ques. Are the new criminal laws tested in AIBE 2026?
Ans. Yes, AIBE XXI tests the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam alongside the IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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