The National Law Universities Students’ Association (NLUSA) has urged the Bar Council of India (BCI) to expand eligibility for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE 20) 2025 or extend its registration deadline. NLUSA states current criteria exclude many final-year law students due to varying academic calendars. Registration for AIBE 20 closes today, October 28 . Application corrections are due by October 31 . The AIBE 20 exam will be held on November 30 .
Current AIBE 2025 eligibility rules restrict registration. Only final semester students or graduates who have obtained provisional or final transcripts can apply, NLUSA reported. This regulation, while intended to ensure readiness, creates significant disparities among students from the same graduating batch.
Law universities across India follow different academic calendars. This leads to unequal treatment for students pursuing the same degree. NLUSA highlighted several specific issues impacting student eligibility.
AIBE Eligibility Concerns Detailed
- Delayed Exams: Many universities schedule ninth-semester examinations in November–December 2025. Students from these institutions are ineligible to apply before the current registration deadline.
- Trimester System: Some law schools operate on a trimester system. For a five-year program, the 14th trimester is penultimate, not final. Similarly, the eighth trimester for a three-year program is also considered penultimate. This technically disqualifies students despite their final-year status.
- Pending Marksheets: Other colleges have conducted ninth-semester exams, but transcripts or mark sheets will not be available before the registration deadline. This prevents otherwise eligible students from completing their applications.
These institutional variations create an inconsistent eligibility framework. NLUSA stated this inconsistency determines eligibility based on university schedules, not academic merit or standing. This, NLUSA argued, contradicts principles of equity, natural justice, and fairness for the graduating batch of 2026.
NLUSA Calls for Action from BCI
NLUSA urged BCI to reconsider and expand the AIBE eligibility criteria. The students’ association recommends including all students who have entered their final year. This would cover IX semester, XIV trimester (for the five-year program), and VIII trimester (for the three-year program).
The student group also demanded two key extensions. First, an extension of the registration deadline. Second, a relaxation of transcript submission requirements for candidates whose results are pending. This relief would apply to students affected by their university’s academic schedule.
NLUSA further requested a clarificatory notification from BCI. This notification would aim to ensure uniform opportunity and equal treatment for all final-year students. NLUSA expressed hope that BCI, as the apex body for legal education, would address these issues. The association seeks fairness, parity, and inclusivity for all aspiring advocates.