How to Prepare for AIBE 2026: Complete Guide with Syllabus, Books, Strategy, and Exam Trends (2015–2025)
The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is a qualifying exam conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI)
to assess an advocate’s capability to practice law in India. Clearing this exam earns the candidate
the “Certificate of Practice.” The AIBE tests fundamental legal knowledge and practical application.
🧭 AIBE 2026 Preparation Strategy
AIBE is open-book in format (excluding some editions) and focuses on conceptual clarity.
A structured preparation plan should include a detailed study of major laws, previous question papers,
and use of standard reference materials. Start early to manage revision efficiently.
📘 Syllabus Overview
The syllabus broadly covers the following subjects:
1. Constitutional Law
2. Indian Penal Code
3. Criminal Procedure Code
4. Civil Procedure Code
5. Evidence Act
6. Professional Ethics & Cases of Professional Misconduct
7. Public Interest Litigation
8. Law of Tort, including Motor Vehicle Act and Consumer Protection Law
9. Family Law
10. Administrative Law
11. Company Law
12. Environmental Law
13. Cyber Law
14. Labour and Industrial Law
15. Intellectual Property Law
16. Alternative Dispute Redressal, including Arbitration Act
17. Land Acquisition Act
18. Interpretation of Statutes
📚 Recommended Reference Books
1. Universal’s Guide to All India Bar Examination by Manish Arora
2. AIBE Previous Years’ Solved Papers by Lovedeep Bangia (Universal Publications)
3. Bare Acts of All Major Subjects
4. LexisNexis or Universal’s Compact Bare Act Set
5. Online sources like LiveLaw, Bar & Bench, and BCI notifications for latest updates
📆 Study Strategy for AIBE 2026
– **Phase 1 (Nov 2025 – Jan 2026):** Build conceptual clarity; read Bare Acts thoroughly.
– **Phase 2 (Feb – Mar 2026):** Practice MCQs and previous papers. Learn how to locate sections quickly.
– **Phase 3 (Apr – May 2026):** Attempt mock tests in exam-like conditions.
– **Phase 4 (June 2026):** Revise high-weight topics and maintain a clean, indexed Bare Act collection.
📊 AIBE Exam Trends (2015–2025)
| Year | Edition | Exam Date | Cut-off (Gen/OBC) | Cut-off (SC/ST) |
| 2015 | AIBE IX | 13 Dec 2015 (held Mar 2016) | 40% | 35% |
| 2016 | AIBE IX/X | 6 Mar 2016 | 40% | 35% |
| 2017 | AIBE XI | 3 Dec 2017 | 40% | 35% |
| 2018 | AIBE XII | 10 Jun 2018 | 40% | 35% |
| 2019 | AIBE XIII–XIX | Throughout 2019 | 45% | 40% |
| 2020 | AIBE XV | Postponed (pandemic) | 45% | 40% |
| 2021 | AIBE XVI | 24 Oct 2021 | 45% | 40% |
| 2022 | AIBE XVII | Official schedule | 45% | 40% |
| 2023 | AIBE XVIII | 10 Dec 2023 | 45% | 40% |
| 2024 | AIBE XIX | Mar 2024 (results) | 45% | 40% |
| 2025 | AIBE XX | Dec 2025 (expected) | 45% | 40% |
**Trend Summary:** Over the years, the qualifying percentage increased from 40% (General) and 35% (SC/ST)
to 45% and 40%. Exam pattern remains objective-type with approximately 100 questions covering core laws.
Candidate turnout and competition have increased significantly since 2019.
🧩 Key Takeaways for Aspirants
1. Start preparation early and stay consistent.
2. Read Bare Acts daily — AIBE focuses on the language of law.
3. Track amendments (e.g., Criminal Law, Consumer Protection, Environment Acts).
4. Solve at least 5–10 previous papers to understand question trends.
5. Keep updated through the official website: allindiabarexamination.com.
This document summarizes the preparation roadmap, syllabus, booklist, and trend analysis for the AIBE Exam 2026.
📈 Topic-Wise Marks Distribution (Based on Previous AIBE Papers)
While the Bar Council of India does not officially release a fixed subject-wise marks distribution,
analysis of previous year papers (AIBE XIII–XIX) indicates the following approximate weightage pattern.
Use this as a guide to prioritize subjects for the 2026 exam.
| Subject / Law | Approx. No. of Questions | Weightage (%) |
| Constitutional Law | 10–12 | 10–12% |
| Criminal Procedure Code | 8–10 | 8–10% |
| Indian Penal Code | 8–10 | 8–10% |
| Civil Procedure Code | 6–8 | 6–8% |
| Evidence Act | 6–8 | 6–8% |
| Professional Ethics & Misconduct | 6–8 | 6–8% |
| Law of Contract | 6–8 | 6–8% |
| Constitutional & Administrative Law | 5–7 | 5–7% |
| Public Interest Litigation | 3–5 | 3–5% |
| Family Law | 3–5 | 3–5% |
| Environmental Law | 2–4 | 2–4% |
| Company Law | 2–4 | 2–4% |
| Labour & Industrial Law | 2–4 | 2–4% |
| Cyber Law | 2–3 | 2–3% |
| Intellectual Property Law | 2–3 | 2–3% |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) | 2–3 | 2–3% |
| Land Acquisition & Real Estate Laws | 2–3 | 2–3% |
| Torts, Consumer & Motor Vehicle Act | 3–5 | 3–5% |
| Interpretation of Statutes | 2–3 | 2–3% |
**Tip:** Focus most on Constitution, IPC, CrPC, CPC, Evidence, and Professional Ethics — together they account
for nearly 50% of the total paper. However, AIBE also includes smaller topics like Cyber Law, ADR, and IPR,
so avoid skipping any section entirely.
