AIBE XXI (21) - Detailed Syllabus

Complete Syllabus, Subject-wise Topics, and Examination Guidelines

Bar Council of India | AIBE XXI Curriculum

📚 Official Syllabus - AIBE XXI (21)

Bar Council of India - AIBE XXI Complete Syllabus

Download the official AIBE XXI syllabus PDF containing detailed subject-wise topics, weightage distribution, and complete curriculum as prescribed by the Bar Council of India.

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📄 File: aibe-21-syllabus.pdf|Source: Bar Council of India

✓ Official Curriculum

📖 Subject-wise Detailed Syllabus

The Bar Council of India prescribes 19 subjects for AIBE XXI. The list below follows the official BCI syllabus order.

1. Constitutional Law

Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties
Amendment of the Constitution, basic structure doctrine
Union and State Executive, Parliament and State Legislature, Judiciary
Centre–State relations, emergency provisions, writ jurisdiction

2. Indian Penal Code (IPC) / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

General principles of criminal liability, exceptions, abetment, conspiracy
Offences against the body, property, the state and public tranquillity
Side-by-side mapping of IPC sections to the BNS, 2023

3. Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) / Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)

FIR, arrest, bail, investigation, charge, trial, judgment, appeals
Cognizable / non-cognizable offences, summons and warrant cases
Transition from CrPC to the BNSS, 2023 for proceedings after 1 July 2024

4. Code of Civil Procedure (CPC)

Jurisdiction, institution of suits, pleadings, discovery
Summons, interim orders, execution, appeals, reference, review
Inherent powers (Section 151), limitation, key Orders and Schedules

5. Indian Evidence Act / Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)

Relevancy of facts, admissions, confessions, dying declarations
Documentary and oral evidence, electronic records, burden of proof
Presumptions, estoppel, examination of witnesses, privileged communications

6. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (with amendments)
Mediation Act, 2023; Section 89 CPC; Lok Adalat scheme
Domestic vs international commercial arbitration; setting aside an award

7. Family Law

Hindu Marriage Act, Hindu Succession Act (2005 amendment)
Muslim Personal Law — marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance
Special Marriage Act, Indian Divorce Act, adoption and guardianship

8. Public Interest Litigation

Doctrine of PIL, locus standi, scope under Articles 32 and 226
Supreme Court guidelines from SP Gupta and subsequent rulings
Abuse-of-process safeguards and recent PIL jurisprudence

9. Administrative Law

Natural justice, judicial review, writs, delegated legislation
Administrative tribunals, ombudsman framework
Distinction between quasi-judicial and administrative action

10. Professional Ethics and Cases of Professional Misconduct

Advocates Act, 1961; BCI Rules on Professional Conduct and Etiquette
Duties of an advocate to client, court and colleague
Disciplinary proceedings (Section 35), reported misconduct cases

11. Company Law

Companies Act, 2013 — incorporation, share capital, governance
Related-party transactions, oppression and mismanagement, winding up
NCLT/NCLAT framework; IBC, 2016 for corporate insolvency

12. Environmental Law

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Air and Water Acts
Wildlife Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act
National Green Tribunal Act; polluter-pays and precautionary principles

13. Cyber Law

Information Technology Act, 2000 — offences under Sections 65–74
Intermediary liability (Section 79), electronic records, digital signatures
Shreya Singhal ruling and the IT Rules, 2021

14. Labour and Industrial Law

Industrial Disputes Act, Factories Act, Minimum Wages Act
Trade Unions Act, Workmen's Compensation Act
Four Labour Codes (Wages, Social Security, OSH, IR) and what they subsume

15. Law of Tort, including Motor Vehicle Accidents and Consumer Protection

Duty, breach, damage, vicarious liability, strict and absolute liability
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Chapters X–XII (claims and compensation)
Consumer Protection Act, 2019 — District Commission, pecuniary limits

16. Law related to Taxation

Income Tax Act, 1961 — heads of income, residential status, assessment
GST framework — CGST, SGST, IGST, place of supply, input tax credit
Appellate hierarchy and definitions (assessee, person, previous year)

17. Law of Contract, Specific Relief, Property, Special Contracts, Negotiable Instruments

Indian Contract Act, 1872 — formation, free consent, performance, breach
Specific Relief Act, 1963 (with post-2018 amendments)
Transfer of Property Act, Sale of Goods Act, Partnership Act
Negotiable Instruments Act — Section 138 dishonour of cheque

18. Land Acquisition Act

Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Social impact assessment, consent thresholds for acquisition
Compensation and R&R framework in the Second and Third Schedules

19. Intellectual Property Laws

Patents Act, 1970; Designs Act, 2000
Registrability, infringement, fair dealing, compulsory licensing (Section 84)

📊 Official Question Distribution

Source: Syllabus for All India Bar Exam-XXI, Bar Council of India Trust, dated 2 March 2026. The 19 subjects together total 100 questions.

#	Subject	Questions
1	Constitutional Law	10
2	IPC / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)	8
3	CrPC / Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)	10
4	CPC (Code of Civil Procedure)	10
5	Evidence Act / Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)	8
6	ADR including Arbitration Act	4
7	Family Law	8
8	Public Interest Litigation	4
9	Administrative Law	3
10	Professional Ethics & Cases of Professional Misconduct	4
11	Company Law	2
12	Environmental Law	2
13	Cyber Law	2
14	Labour & Industrial Law	4
15	Law of Tort, including Motor Vehicle Act and Consumer Protection Law	5
16	Law related to Taxation	4
17	Law of Contract, Specific Relief, Property Laws, Negotiable Instrument Act	8
18	Land Acquisition Act	2
19	Intellectual Property Laws	2
	Total	100

💡 Preparation Tips

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Focus on Bare Acts: AIBE tests practical knowledge of bare acts and their application.

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Practice Previous Papers: Solve past AIBE question papers to understand the pattern.

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Time Management: With 100 questions in 3.5 hours, manage time effectively.

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No Negative Marking: Attempt all questions as there's no penalty for wrong answers.

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Refer Official Syllabus: Download the official syllabus PDF for complete guidance.

Based on official Bar Council of India syllabus for AIBE XXI | For informational purposes only