New Delhi, January 7, 2026 — The Bar Council of India (BCI) has officially announced the results of the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) XX‑2025, revealing that 69.21 percent of candidates who appeared in the exam have qualified, clearing a key hurdle to practise law in India. Alongside the result announcement, the BCI also released the schedule for the next edition of the exam, AIBE XXI, to be held on June 7, 2026.
Results and Key Statistics
The AIBE XX exam, conducted on November 30, 2025 at 399 centres across the country, was taken by 2,51,968 candidates. Of these, 1,74,386 candidates secured qualifying marks, earning the right to receive the Certificate of Practice (CoP) required to begin legal practice in India.
In finalising the results, the BCI’s Monitoring Committee reviewed objections raised by candidates and made adjustments: five out of the original 100 questions were withdrawn, and full marks were awarded to candidates where two correct answers were possible. The final evaluation was therefore based on 95 marks.
To qualify, candidates in the General and OBC categories needed to secure at least 43 marks (45 percent of 95), while candidates in SC/ST/PwD categories required 38 marks (40 percent of 95).
What Passing AIBE Means
Clearing the AIBE is a mandatory step for law graduates in India to practise in courts and represent clients. Successful candidates will receive their Certificate of Practice (CoP) from the Bar Council of India, which they can collect from their respective State Bar Councils. This certificate is essential to appear in courts and carry out legal work as an advocate.
Next Exam: AIBE XXI in June
Alongside the result announcement, the BCI confirmed that AIBE XXI will be held on June 7, 2026, continuing the Board’s twice‑yearly schedule for the national bar exam. The online registration process for the next exam will begin on February 11, 2026 and run until April 30, 2026, with the last date for online fee payment on May 1, 2026 and corrections allowed until May 3, 2026. The admit card for AIBE XXI is expected to be released on May 22, 2026.
Reactions from Candidates and Legal Community
For many candidates, particularly fresh law graduates and final‑year students who sat for AIBE XX, the results bring relief and mark a decisive step toward their professional careers. Clearing the AIBE not only allows them to practise law but also enhances their eligibility for advanced legal roles and government or corporate legal positions.
Legal educators and mentors have noted that while the overall pass percentage shows a significant majority qualifying, the competitive nature of the exam continues to challenge aspirants, underscoring the need for strong fundamental knowledge in ethics, procedure, and substantive law.
Importance of the Monitoring Committee’s Review
The involvement of a Monitoring Committee — chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Hima Kohli, with academic leaders from premier law universities — highlighted the BCI’s efforts to ensure fairness in assessment. The withdrawal of problematic questions and revised marking demonstrates oversight that seeks to balance candidate concerns with exam integrity.
Looking Ahead
As the legal profession in India continues to grow, the AIBE remains a key quality filter for aspirants entering the bar. With the next exam scheduled in June, many candidates who did not succeed this time, as well as fresh entrants, will prepare to take the next step in their legal careers.
The results announcement and upcoming AIBE XXI schedule provide clarity and a clear timeline for law graduates planning to enter practice in 2026.
