AIBE XXI (2026): Expected Date, Syllabus, Pattern, Eligibility & Previous Year Papers

The All India Bar Examination (AIBE XXI) will be held in 2026 by the Bar Council of India (BCI). While the official notification has not been released yet, we can predict the exam timeline, pattern, and syllabus based on previous editions. This guide covers all long-tailed queries including the expected date, eligibility, syllabus, preparation strategy, cut-off trends, and downloadable previous year papers (AIBE XIV to XIX).

When Will AIBE 21 Be Held? (Expected Date 2026)

BCI has not announced the official date for AIBE XXI yet. However, based on past patterns — especially AIBE XIX (2024) and AIBE XX (2025) — the most likely window for AIBE 21 is:

👉 October to November 2026 (Tentative)

This expected date range is based on the typical gap of 9–12 months between consecutive AIBE exams. Once BCI releases the official notification, we will update this page immediately.

Will AIBE Be Held Once or Twice in 2026?

AIBE historically used to take place twice a year. However, from 2020 onwards the exam has shifted towards a once-a-year format due to administrative reasons.

For 2026, AIBE XXI is expected to be held only once.

Expected Timeline for AIBE XXI (2026)

Based on recent editions, here is the most likely timeline:

• Notification Release: July–August 2026 (expected)
• Online Registration: August–September 2026
• Admit Card Release: 7–10 days before exam
• Exam Date: October–November 2026 (tentative)
• Answer Key: Within 7 days
• Result Declaration: 4–6 weeks after exam

AIBE XXI (2026) Eligibility

• Completed a 3-year or 5-year LLB degree from a BCI-recognized university
• Enrolled with any State Bar Council
• No age limit for appearing
• No minimum percentage requirement in LLB

AIBE XXI (2026) Exam Pattern

• Mode: Offline (Pen-and-paper OMR based)
• Questions: 100 MCQs
• Total Marks: 100
• Marking Scheme: +1 for each correct answer, no negative marking
• Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Languages: 10+ languages including Hindi, English, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu etc.
• Allowed Materials: Bare Acts without notes or commentary

AIBE XXI (2026) Detailed Syllabus

The syllabus includes major subjects taught during the LLB program. Note that both old and new criminal law names are included:

• Constitutional Law
• Indian Penal Code (IPC) / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
• Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) / Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
• Indian Evidence Act / Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)
• Civil Procedure Code (CPC)
• Family Law
• Public International Law
• Professional Ethics & BCI Rules
• Company Law
• Environmental Law
• Labour & Industrial Law
• Cyber Law
• Taxation Law
• Law of Torts including Motor Vehicles Law
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Property Law
• Law of Contracts & Specific Relief
• I.P.R. (Intellectual Property Rights)
• Land Acquisition Act

How to Apply for AIBE XXI (2026)

The application process will follow the previous year's pattern. Steps:

1. Visit the official website: allindiabarexamination.com
2. Click on “AIBE XXI Registration 2026”
3. Create a new account using your mobile number and email ID
4. Upload required documents:
   • Enrollment Certificate
   • LLB Marksheet and Degree
   • Photo and Signature
   • Identity Proof
5. Pay the registration fee (online payment only)
6. Download the confirmation page

AIBE 21 Previous Year Cut-Off Trend

Based on earlier AIBE editions:

• General Category: 38–42 marks
• OBC: 36–40 marks
• SC/ST: 32–36 marks
• PwD: Relaxation available

Since there is no negative marking, cut-offs remain stable and predictable.

Download Previous Year Question Papers (AIBE XIV to XIX)

You can download the authentic previous year papers below:

• AIBE XIV Question Paper (2019)
• AIBE XV Question Paper (2020)
• AIBE XVI Question Paper (2021)
• AIBE XVII Question Paper (2022)
• AIBE XVIII Question Paper (2023)
• AIBE XIX Question Paper (2024)

AIBE 21 Preparation Strategy

• Start with Constitution, Criminal Laws (IPC/BNS, CrPC/BNSS, Evidence/BSA) and Professional Ethics
• Focus heavily on Bare Acts — 70% of the exam comes from statutory language
• Solve all PYQs from AIBE XIV–XIX
• Make short notes of sections commonly asked across years
• Take 5–10 mock tests under exam-like conditions

Conclusion

AIBE XXI (2026) is expected in October–November 2026. Students should begin preparation early using PYQs and Bare Acts. This page will be updated regularly with the official BCI notification, application dates, and exam details.