Recently, in a proceeding that spotlighted long-standing uncertainties faced by Indian nationals holding foreign law degrees, the Delhi High Court recorded the Bar Council of India’s updated examination schedule, including the qualifying test to be held later this year and the next All India Bar Examination (AIBE) slated for June 2026. The Bench noted these timelines while considering a petition filed by a foreign law graduate challenging the sequencing of the BCI-mandated qualifying examination, which determines eligibility to sit for the AIBE and consequently enter legal practice in India.
The case stemmed from a petition filed by a law graduate from Brunel University, London, who had completed the mandatory bridge course offered by the India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER), Goa. Under existing BCI regulations, such candidates must first clear a qualifying exam conducted by the BCI before being permitted to attempt the AIBE. The Petitioner challenged this requirement and sought permission to appear directly in AIBE XX scheduled for November 30, 2025.
The Petitioner contended that the additional qualifying exam imposed by the BCI rendered the bridge course redundant, arguing that the regulatory duplication delayed entry into the profession. Counsel urged the Court to allow the petitioner’s appearance in the upcoming AIBE without requiring prior qualification in the BCI exam. Opposing this, BCI asserted that “AIBE is for candidates enrolled as an advocate in India,” and that only those who clear the qualifying examination become eligible for provisional registration before attempting the AIBE.
The Court recorded the clarification provided by the BCI. The order notes that the qualifying exam for bridge-course graduates “has now been scheduled during the period 15.12.2025 – 20.12.2025.” The Court also took note of the BCI’s statement that although an AIBE was scheduled for 30 November 2025, “the BCI proposes to hold the next AIBE (which is conducted on a bi-annual basis) in the month of June, 2026.”
The Bench further recorded the BCI’s submission that upon provisional enrolment, candidates “will have a period of 2 years to clear AIBE. In the intervening period, they would not be precluded from commencing their legal practice.”
Lastly, the petitioner sought permission to withdraw the writ petition with liberty to challenge Rule 37 of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008, through appropriate legal proceedings. The Court accordingly ordered that the present petition stands dismissed as withdrawn.
Case Title: Saanil Patnayak Vs. Bar Council of India & Anr.
Case No: W.P.(C) 17192/2025
Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sachin Datta
Advocate for Appellant: Advs. P.B. Sashaank, Ritwik Mohapatra, Varoaan Wanchoo, Rahul Reddy and Haresh Nair
Advocate for Respondent: Advs. Preetpal Singh, Tanupreet Kaur, Medha Navami, T. Singhdev, Tanishq Srivastava, Yamini, Abhijit Chakravarty, Bhanu Gulati, Sourabh and Vedant Sood
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