The Bar Council of India (BCI) conducts the All India Bar Examination XX (AIBE 20) today. The examination takes place across 55 designated test centres nationwide. This offline exam is a mandatory qualification for law graduates. Successfully passing the AIBE 20 is essential to obtain a Certificate of Practice (CoP), which allows individuals to practice law in India. The examination period is set from 1 PM to 4 PM .
Exam Schedule and Strict Entry Protocol
Candidates must adhere to a strict entry schedule. Entry into the examination centres begins at 11:30 AM . All entry gates will close promptly at 1:15 PM . The BCI strictly prohibits entry to any candidate arriving after this time, enforcing its AIBE exam-day guidelines. Every candidate must present their official AIBE 20 admit card and a valid government-issued photo identification at the entry point to be allowed into the testing premises.
Critical Exam-Day Guidelines and Prohibitions
The BCI has outlined several non-negotiable guidelines for all participants. Compliance with these rules is imperative for maintaining exam integrity and avoiding disqualification. The entire examination duration is three hours.
- Candidates are permitted to bring Bare Acts into the exam hall. These Bare Acts must be free of any personal notes or comments.
- Strict prohibitions apply to electronic devices. Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and any other electronic gadgets are forbidden. Bags and personal notes are also not allowed inside the examination hall.
- The OMR answer sheet requires careful completion. Candidates must use only a blue or black ballpoint pen to mark their responses.
- Accurate entry of the booklet code and roll number is critical. Any errors in these fields may result in the cancellation of the candidate’s answer sheet or entire candidature.
- All examinees must remain within the exam centre premises until the scheduled conclusion of the examination at 4 PM .
Special Accommodations for PwD Candidates
In adherence to directives from the Supreme Court, the BCI has implemented specific, detailed guidelines for candidates with blindness or low vision. These provisions aim to provide necessary support and ensure fair access to the examination process.
Assistive Technology Provision
Candidates who choose to use screen reader software will be provided with a Windows-based computer or laptop by the BCI. This equipment will come pre-loaded with access to both NVDA and JAWS screen reader software. Candidates utilizing this option must ensure they bring specific required items:
- Their own NVDA installation files.
- Soft copies of relevant Bare Acts, sourced exclusively from official government websites.
- An accessible digital copy of the question paper, stored on a personal pen drive.
Scribe Option and Extended Time Allocation
As an alternative to assistive software, visually impaired candidates may opt to use a scribe. This option aligns with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Furthermore, all eligible Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates receive an additional 20 minutes of examination time per hour. For the three-hour AIBE 20 question paper, this accommodation translates to an extra one hour of total answering time for PwD candidates.