All India Bar Examination Syllabus
AIBE 21 Syllabus 2026 Overview
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has released the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) Syllabus 2026 on the official website allindiabarexamination.com. AIBE 21 Exam 2026 is an offline, open-book examination that tests a candidate's knowledge of different laws and their readiness to practise law.
- The AIBE 21 syllabus comprises 19 subjects from the LLB curriculum.
- This 100-mark objective exam focuses on both old and new Criminal Laws - BNS, BNSS, BSA - in addition to the Indian Penal Code.
- The AIBE XXI syllabus is divided into two groups: high weightage (8-10 marks) and medium to low weightage (2-5 marks) areas.
- Candidates must focus on Constitutional Law, BNS, BNSS, and CPC. More than 38 marks worth of questions come from these sections together.
In the 2025 AIBE XX Exam, out of the 2,51,968 candidates who appeared, 69.21% qualified. AIBE 20 results were declared on January 7, 2026, by the Bar Council of India.
Key Summary
The AIBE Syllabus 2026 is designed to assess what a candidate learnt during the course of their Law Programme. Fresh applicants must register themselves at the AIBE Registration Portal by 30th April 2026.
There will be a total of 100 multiple-choice questions. Each question carries one mark, and there is no negative marking for a wrong answer.
What is the AIBE 21 Syllabus?
The AIBE 21 Syllabus 2026 contains a total of 19 topics about different aspects of Law. Since 2024, three new topics have been a part of the AIBE 21 Syllabus.
- These are Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
- The syllabus includes topics like Constitutional law, Company law, Environmental law, Family law, IPC and Land Acquisition act among others.
- For the 2026 AIBE XXI Exam, the Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure Code and Code of Civil Procedure will carry the maximum weightage.
- Ten questions will be asked from each of these latter topics.
AIBE 21 Syllabus Highlights
The key information about the AIBE XXI Exam 2026 Syllabus is provided below.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | AIBE 21 (XXI) |
| Conducting Body | Bar Council of India (BCI) |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Type | Open-book |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Marking Scheme | 1 mark per question, no negative marking |
| Total Subjects | 19 |
| Registration Deadline | 30th April 2026 |
All India Bar Examination (AIBE) XXI: Key Details
The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) XXI is conducted by the Bar Council of India. It is an open book, multiple choice exam.
| Particulars | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Exam name | All India Bar Examination (AIBE) XXI |
| Exam conducting body | Bar Council of India |
| Number of questions | 100 |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Format of exam | Open book, multiple choice exam |
| Number of Papers | Questions from 19 core legal subjects |
| High weightage topics (marks) | Constitutional law (10), CrPC/ BNSS (10), CPC (10), IPC/ BNS (8) |
AIBE 21 Syllabus: Topic-wise weightage
The AIBE XXI Syllabus tests legal knowledge in 19 separate topics. These topics are divided into two categories based on their importance for the 2026 exam: high weightage (8-10 marks) and medium/low weightage (2-5 marks).
The topic-wise weightage for the exam is given below.
| Topics | Questions |
|---|---|
| Indian Constitutional Law | 10 |
| Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita | 8 |
| Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita | 10 |
| Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) | 10 |
| Evidence Act and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam | 8 |
| Alternative Dispute Redressal including the Arbitration Act | 4 |
| Family Law | 8 |
| Public Interest Litigation | 4 |
| Administrative Law | 3 |
| Professional Ethics & Cases of Professional Misconduct under BCI rules | 4 |
| Company Law | 2 |
| Environment Law | 2 |
| Cyber Law | 2 |
| Labor and Industrial Law | 4 |
| Law of Tort, including the Motor Vehicle Act and the Consumer Protection Law | 5 |
| Law related to Taxation | 4 |
| Law of Contract, Specific Relief, Property Laws, Negotiable Instrument Act | 8 |
| Land Acquisition Act | 2 |
| Intellectual Property Act | 2 |
| Total | 100 |
AIBE 21 Syllabus 2026: Important Subtopics
The 19 major topics contain many smaller subtopics. A proper understanding of the detailed syllabus is necessary to score well and pass the exam to obtain the Certificate of Practice offered by the BCI.
AIBE 21 Syllabus 2026: Subject-wise Topics
The AIBE 21 syllabus covers 19 core legal subjects. Candidates must prepare for all of them for the exam.
| Subject | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Indian Constitutional Law | History of the Constitution, Fundamental Rights (Art. 14, 19, 21), Writ Jurisdictions, Centre-State relationship, Emergency Provisions |
| Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita | IPC 1860, exceptions to IPC, overview of BNS, Offences against the Human Body, Property offences, Defamation, Culpable Homicide and murder |
| Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita | Classes of Criminal Courts, Court of Session, Sentences of Imprisonment, Trials, Bail Investigation |
| Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) | Initiation of Civil Proceedings, res subjudice and res judicata, Pleadings, Executions, Framing of Issues, Interim Relief |
| Evidence Act and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam | Relevance of Facts, Admissibility, Confession, Burden of Proof, Digital Evidence, Examination of Witnesses |
| Alternative Dispute Redressal including the Arbitration Act | Alternate Dispute Resolution Methods, Arbitration, Conciliation, Mediation, and Negotiation |
| Family Law | Hindu Marriage Act, Succession Act, Muslim Personal Law reforms, Guardianship |
| Public Interest Litigation (PIL) | PIL in India, PIL Act, role of the Judiciary, Procedural law in PIL |
| Administrative Law | Nature and Scope of Administrative Law, Judicial Control of Administrative Actions, Corporations and Public Undertakings |
| Professional Ethics & Cases of Professional Misconduct under BCI rules | Responsibilities of the Legal Profession, Major Supreme Court Judgements, Duty to the Court |
| Company Law | The Companies Act 1956, FEMA Act 1999, SEBI Act 1992 |
| Environment Law | Environment Protection Act 1986, International Laws on Environmental Protection, Prevention and Control of Pollution |
| Cyber Law | Types of Cyber Crimes, penalties as per the IT Act 2000, UNCITRAL model on Electronic Commerce |
| Labor and Industrial Law | Trade Unions Act 1926, Industrial Dispute Act 1947, Minimum Wages Act 1948, Labour Welfare Legislation |
| Law of Tort, including the Motor Vehicle Act and the Consumer Protection Law | Liability in Tort, remedies and damages, Consumer Protection Act 1986 |
| Law related to Taxation | Direct and Indirect taxes, Income Tax Act 1961, customs and duties |
| Law of Contract, Specific Relief, Property Laws, Negotiable Instrument Act | Contract Formation, Breach of Contract, Bailment and Pledge, Doctrine of Election |
| Land Acquisition Act | Temporary Occupation of Land, Declaration of Intended Acquisition, Acquisition of Land by companies |
| Intellectual Property Act | Copyright Law, Patents, Trademarks, Geographical Indications |
AIBE 21 Cutoff 2026
The cutoff for the All India Bar Council Exam 21 is 45% for General and OBC candidates. It is 40% for SC/ST candidates.
AIBE 21 Exam Pattern 2026
The AIBE is a 100-mark, open-book, offline exam for law students who want to practice in a court of law. The exam must be completed within three hours and thirty minutes.
The exam focuses on core legal topics, including constitutional law, civil procedure, taxation, professional ethics, and criminal law (BNS/ BNSS/ BSA).
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Offline (OMR-based response) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 3 Hours 30 minutes |
| Penalty for wrong answer | No Negative marking |
| Medium of Questions | Available in English and 22 other regional Languages |
| Qualifying marks | General/ OBC: 45% SC/ ST/ PwD: 40% |
AIBE 21 Syllabus 2026: Preparation Tips
The AIBE 21 syllabus requires smart preparation. Candidates who understand the syllabus and prepare accordingly can clear the exam. The tips below can help improve answer accuracy and time management.
| Tip Number | Preparation Tip |
|---|---|
| 1 | Focus most attention on high-weightage topics like Constitutional Law, CRPC/BNSS, IPC/BNS, and the CPC. |
| 2 | Only Bare Acts can be carried to the exam hall. Practice locating relevant sections for each question instead of rote learning. |
| 3 | Refer to past question papers to understand the question structure and time management. Some questions are direct, others need proper analysis. |
| 4 | The AIBE XXI is an open-book exam. Do not leave any question unanswered since there is no negative marking for wrong answers. |
AIBE 21 Syllabus 2026: Recommended Books
The updated Bare Acts are the main book for the AIBE 2026 Exam. Candidates can also buy one or more focused preparatory guides. Below is a list of popular books among AIBE examiners.
| Book | Author/ Publication |
|---|---|
| Guide to All India Bar Examination | Universal’s |
| Sure Success AIBE and JCJ | DV Rao |
| AIBE Exam Books | Two Brothers Publications |
| Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 | Taxman |
| Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 | Taxman |
| Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 | Taxman |
| Constitution of India (Bare Act) | Taxman/ Universal |
| Code of Civil Procedure 1908 | Taxman |
Note:
- Since AIBE 21 is an open-book exam, your book should not contain short notes or comments. If found otherwise, you will be disqualified. Make sure the Bare Acts do not contain comments.
- About 80% of the questions come from Bare Acts, so focus on them primarily.
- Practice previous year questions from the AIBE Guidebooks.
FAQs
What is the overall AIBE exam pattern?
The All India Bar Examination comprises 100 objective-type questions covering 19 legal topics. This includes Criminal Law, such as the Bharatiya Naya Sanhita (BNS) law. The major focus is on Constitutional Law, CrPC/BNSS, IPC/BNS, and the CPC. The duration of the AIBE Exam is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Do I need to take the AIBE 21 Exam in 2026?
Passing the AIBE XXI Exam 2026 enables a person with legal education to practice as an advocate in a court of law. If you want to practice law, you must appear for the AIBE 21 exam by registering yourself at the AIBE Registration Portal before the application portal closes on April 30th.
Can I carry any book to the AIBE 21 Exam 2026?
Although the AIBE XXI is an open-book exam, students are only allowed to carry the Bare Acts. These must be without any notes, annotations, or comments in them.
How difficult is the All India Bar Examination?
The AIBE 2026 is considered to be of moderate difficulty. The main challenge of this open-book exam is time management. Locating the relevant portions in the Bare Acts can be tedious if not practised well during preparation. Preparation with proper understanding of the Indian legal system, familiarity with analysing popular cases, and proper indexing of the Bare Acts will make the exam easier.
What is the AIBE 21 Exam 2026?
The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) 21 is a qualifying test for law graduates in India. Passing this exam is required to practice as an advocate in Indian courts.
The exam is conducted in an open-book format. Candidates can carry Bare Acts into the examination hall.
Who Needs to Take the AIBE 21 Exam?
Any person with a legal education who wants to practice as an advocate in a court of law must appear for the AIBE 21 exam. You must register on the AIBE Registration Portal before the application window closes.
The last date to apply is April 30th.
Exam Pattern
The AIBE 21 exam consists of 100 objective-type questions. The total duration of the exam is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
The questions cover 19 legal topics. The major focus areas are Constitutional Law, CrPC/BNSS, IPC/BNS, and the CPC. The syllabus also includes Criminal Law, such as the Bharatiya Naya Sanhita (BNS) law.
Cutoff Marks
The cutoff for the AIBE 21 exam varies by category. General and OBC candidates must score at least 45% to pass.
SC and ST candidates have a lower cutoff of 40%.
Difficulty Level
The AIBE 2026 is considered to be of moderate difficulty. The main challenge is time management, as locating relevant sections in the Bare Acts can be tedious without practice.
Preparation should include a proper understanding of the Indian legal system, familiarity with popular cases, and proper indexing of the Bare Acts.
Allowed Materials
Although the exam is open-book, candidates can only carry Bare Acts. The Bare Acts must not contain any notes, annotations, or comments.