The Supreme Court of India on September 2, 2025 dismissed a petition challenging the INR 3,500 fee (plus incidental charges) for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE), ruling that it is not unconstitutional. A bench led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Sandeep Mehta observed that the Bar Council of India (BCI) incurs considerable expenses in organizing the exam, justifying the fee.
AIBE Fee Structure Court Verdict Summary
The table below highlights the main aspects of the Supreme Court ruling:
- The petition was filed by advocate Sanyam Gandhi, who claimed that the fee violated constitutional rights to equality and to practice a profession.
- The Court emphasized that Gandhi should have first approached the Bar Council of India as previously directed.
- It clarified that the earlier ruling limiting enrolment fees to INR 750 does not apply to the All India Bar Examination, which involves separate operational costs.
What does this mean for AIBE Aspirants?
With the plea dismissed, the BCI is set to proceed with the release of the AIBE-20 notification. Candidates can expect an official schedule soon.
- The AIBE-20 exam is likely to be conducted in December 2025, though official confirmation is awaited.
- Law graduates should regularly check the official BCI website and allindiabarexamination.com for updates on registration and exam dates.
