In a decisive move to uphold the standards of the legal profession, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition seeking to lower the cut-off marks for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). The plea, which aimed to make it easier for law graduates to pass the exam, was rejected by a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

Currently, the AIBE requires general and OBC category candidates to secure at least 45% marks, while candidates from SC/ST categories need to achieve a minimum of 40% to pass. The petitioner argued for a reduction in these cut-off scores, but the bench firmly opposed this suggestion.

Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that maintaining higher cut-off marks is essential to ensure the quality of lawyers entering the profession. “They have put a cut-off of 45% for general, OBC category and 40% for SC/ST. What kind of lawyer will the person be if they cannot score this much?” he questioned. He further advised the petitioner to “Padho bhai!” (please study).

The AIBE, administered by the Bar Council of India, is a mandatory examination for law graduates seeking to practice law in India. Conducted twice a year in over 10 languages, the exam covers a wide range of subjects including Constitutional laws, criminal laws, public interest litigations (PILs), environmental laws, industry laws, taxation, and intellectual property laws.

As an open book exam, the AIBE aims to assess the candidates’ basic knowledge and analytical skills necessary for legal practice.

In a related development, the Madras High Court recently dismissed a plea demanding a reduction in the application fee for the AIBE, reiterating the importance of maintaining the examination’s integrity and standards.