AIBE Pass Percentage Drops for the Third Consecutive Time: What Is the Reason?
AIBE 2026 Exam: According to the results of the June 2026 session, only 115,805 out of approximately 1.75 lakh candidates managed to pass. This resulted in an overall pass percentage of 65.92%.
AIBE 2026 Exam: The number of successful candidates in the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) has declined for the third consecutive year. Out of approximately 1.75 lakh candidates, only 115,805 passed the June 2026 session, resulting in an overall pass percentage of 65.92%. Notably, these results were declared after the monitoring committee decided to grant a three-mark relaxation in the cutoff for all categories; had this relaxation not been granted, the pass percentage could have been even lower.
Changes in Question Pattern Increased Difficulty
According to legal experts, the pattern of questioning in the All India Bar Examination has been continuously evolving over the past few years. While questions were previously based on straightforward facts, there has been a rise in case-based, logical, and analytical questions. This exam included formats such as assertion-reasoning, sequencing, matching, and identifying incorrect options. The objective was not merely to test factual knowledge but to assess the candidates’ legal understanding and decision-making capabilities. Consequently, many candidates were unable to perform as expected.
New Criminal Laws Also Posed a Challenge
AIBE XXI was the first exam session to prominently feature questions related to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). Although candidates had been informed that questions would cover both old and new laws, many had prepared using study material based on the older statutes. As a result, they faced difficulties during the exam due to changes in section numbers and the sequencing of provisions in the new laws.
Time Management: The Biggest Challenge Despite Open-Book Format
The AIBE is an open-book examination where candidates are permitted to carry ‘Bare Acts’ (statute books) into the exam center. Despite this, experts believe that time management was the primary challenge this time around. Candidates are allotted 3 hours and 30 minutes to solve 100 questions, averaging slightly more than two minutes per question. Consequently, candidates who relied on Bare Acts to locate every answer lost a significant amount of time in the process. In contrast, well-prepared candidates managed to save time by quickly identifying the relevant legal provisions.
Three-Mark Relaxation in Cut-off
Prior to declaring the results, the monitoring committee decided to grant a three-mark relaxation to candidates across all categories. As a result, the minimum passing marks for General and OBC categories were reduced from 45 to 42, while the cut-off for SC, ST, and differently-abled candidates was lowered from 40 to 37. The final results were released only after these adjustments were made.
AIBE XXI 2026 Results by Gender
| Gender | Candidates Appeared in Examination | Passed Candidates | Failed Candidates | Cases of Malpractice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 64,784 | 42,757 | 22,022 | 5 |
| Male | 110,909 | 73,045 | 37,849 | 15 |
| Transgender | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 175,701 | 115,805 | 59,876 | 20 |
1.15 Lakh Candidates Successful Out of 1.75 Lakh
According to data from the Bar Council of India (BCI), a total of 1,75,701 candidates appeared for the examination. Of these, 1,15,805 candidates were successful, while 59,876 failed to pass. Additionally, 20 cases involving the use of unfair means were recorded during the examination.
