For AIBE XXI 2026, you must correctly answer at least 45 out of 100 questions to qualify if you belong to the General or OBC category, and at least 40 out of 100 if you belong to the SC or ST category.
Since AIBE is an open-book exam with no negative marking, you should attempt all 100 questions. A good attempt count — questions you can answer confidently and correctly — is considered to be 55 to 70 for General category students and 50 to 65 for SC/ST students. Aiming well above the minimum qualifying threshold gives you a safety buffer against uncertainty.
- Total questions in AIBE XXI 2026: 100 MCQs, 1 mark each (total marks: 100)
- Qualifying marks: 45 out of 100 for General/OBC, 40 out of 100 for SC/ST
- No negative marking — attempt every question without any penalty for wrong answers
- Open-book exam — you may refer to bare acts (without annotations) during the test
- A target of 60 to 70 correct answers is considered a safe and strong performance based on trends from previous AIBE editions
AIBE XXI 2026 Exam Pattern
AIBE XXI 2026 is conducted by the Bar Council of India (BCI) as a qualifying examination for law graduates seeking a Certificate of Practice. The exam is entirely MCQ-based, open-book, and carries no negative marking — all three features directly shape what counts as a good attempt and how you should approach the paper.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | All India Bar Examination XXI (AIBE XXI) 2026 |
| Conducted by | Bar Council of India (BCI) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 (1 mark per question) |
| Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Exam Mode | Open Book (bare acts permitted, without annotations) |
| Qualifying Marks — General/OBC | 45 out of 100 (45%) |
| Qualifying Marks — SC/ST | 40 out of 100 (40%) |
Because the total marks equal the total number of questions, the qualifying percentage maps directly to a question count. You need 45 correct answers to qualify as a General/OBC student and 40 correct answers to qualify as an SC/ST student.
AIBE XXI 2026 Qualifying Marks by Category
The minimum qualifying score for AIBE XXI 2026 is 45% for General and OBC students and 40% for SC/ST students. Since each question carries exactly 1 mark and there is no negative marking, every question you attempt is a net positive or neutral outcome. The table below shows the minimum requirement and the recommended target for each category.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks | Qualifying Percentage | Recommended Target (Safe Score) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 45 / 100 | 45% | 60–70 |
| OBC | 45 / 100 | 45% | 60–70 |
| SC | 40 / 100 | 40% | 55–65 |
| ST | 40 / 100 | 40% | 55–65 |
| PWD (General) | 45 / 100 | 45% | 60–70 |
The BCI has consistently maintained these cut-offs across AIBE editions. Aim for at least 10 to 15 marks above the minimum qualifying threshold to build a buffer against questions where open-book referencing takes longer than expected.
What Is a Good Attempt in AIBE XXI 2026?
A good attempt in AIBE XXI 2026 means a question you answer correctly — not merely a question you fill in. Since there is no negative marking, the foundational rule is: attempt all 100 questions and never leave any blank. Leaving a question unanswered is the only guaranteed way to score zero on it.
What separates a good attempt from a random guess is your ability to locate or recall the correct legal provision, section number, or principle within the 3.5-hour window. With open-book access to bare acts, speed of reference and familiarity with basic legal frameworks determine how many questions you can answer correctly.
| Performance Level | Correct Answers — General/OBC | Correct Answers — SC/ST | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum to Pass | 45 | 40 | Qualifying (bare minimum) |
| Average Performance | 50–55 | 45–50 | Comfortable pass |
| Good Performance | 60–70 | 55–65 | Strong qualification |
| Excellent Performance | 75+ | 70+ | Outstanding result |
Based on trends from previous AIBE editions, most students who qualify score between 55 and 70 correct answers. Scoring above 70 is considered exceptional and reflects thorough preparation across all major subjects.
Subject-wise Good Attempts in AIBE XXI 2026
AIBE XXI 2026 covers approximately 22 subjects drawn from the standard law curriculum. Questions are not equally distributed — core procedural and constitutional subjects typically carry more weight. Securing at least 60 to 70% correct answers in high-weightage subjects gives you a strong overall score. The distribution below is based on patterns observed in recent previous AIBE editions and should be treated as expected estimates.
| Subject | Expected Questions (approx.) | Good Attempts Target |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Law of India | 8–10 | 6–7 |
| Indian Penal Code (IPC) | 8–10 | 6–7 |
| Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) | 8–10 | 6–7 |
| Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) | 8–10 | 6–7 |
| Indian Evidence Act | 8–10 | 6–7 |
| Indian Contract Act | 5–6 | 4–5 |
| Transfer of Property Act | 4–5 | 3–4 |
| Family Laws | 4–6 | 3–4 |
| Professional Ethics and Bar Council Rules | 4–5 | 3–4 |
| Company Law, Arbitration and Other Laws | 10–15 | 7–10 |
The five core subjects — Constitutional Law, IPC, CrPC, CPC, and Evidence Act — together account for roughly 40 to 50 questions. Strong preparation in these five subjects alone can get you close to or past the qualifying threshold.
Strategy to Maximize Good Attempts in AIBE XXI 2026
The open-book format of AIBE XXI 2026 changes the nature of good attempts compared to closed-book exams. You are not penalised for wrong answers, so the only real risk in the examination hall is wasted time. Use the following approach to maximise your correct answer count:
- Attempt all 100 questions — with no negative marking, a blank answer is a guaranteed zero; any answer carries a nonzero chance of being correct.
- Prepare your bare acts before exam day — tab-mark key sections in the Constitution, IPC, CrPC, CPC, and Evidence Act so you can locate provisions in seconds rather than minutes.
- Solve confident questions first — spend the first 60 to 70 minutes on questions you can answer from memory or quick reference; reserve the remaining time for difficult lookups.
- Prioritise high-weightage subjects — the five core subjects together carry roughly 40 to 50 questions; strong preparation here secures a significant portion of your qualifying score.
- Budget your time strictly — 3 hours 30 minutes for 100 questions gives you about 2 minutes per question; do not spend more than 3 minutes searching bare acts for any single answer.
- Flag and return — mark questions you are uncertain about and revisit them after completing the rest of the paper rather than stalling mid-section.
The minimum target is 45 correct answers for General and OBC students. Given the open-book format, most well-prepared students find 55 to 65 correct answers achievable. Set 60 as your personal target for a comfortable qualifying margin.
AIBE XXI 2026 Good Attempts FAQs
Ques. How many questions should you attempt in AIBE XXI 2026?
Ans. You should attempt all 100 questions in AIBE XXI 2026. There is no negative marking, so leaving any question blank is a guaranteed loss of marks with no compensating benefit.
Ques. What is the minimum qualifying score for General category students in AIBE XXI 2026?
Ans. The minimum qualifying score for General and OBC category students in AIBE XXI 2026 is 45 out of 100 marks, which equals 45%. You must answer at least 45 questions correctly to receive a passing result.
Ques. What is the qualifying score for SC/ST students in AIBE XXI 2026?
Ans. SC and ST category students need a minimum of 40 out of 100 marks, which is 40%, to qualify in AIBE XXI 2026. This relaxation is consistent with BCI policy across previous AIBE editions.
Ques. What is considered a good score in AIBE XXI 2026?
Ans. A good score in AIBE XXI 2026 is considered to be 60 to 70 correct answers out of 100. Scoring above 70 is considered excellent. These benchmarks are based on trends from previous AIBE editions and should be treated as expected estimates.
Ques. Is AIBE XXI 2026 an open-book exam?
Ans. Yes, AIBE XXI 2026 is an open-book exam. You are permitted to carry bare acts without annotations or handwritten notes into the examination hall. This allows you to reference specific sections and provisions while answering questions.
Ques. How many total marks does AIBE XXI 2026 carry?
Ans. AIBE XXI 2026 carries a total of 100 marks. The paper has 100 MCQs with 1 mark awarded for each correct answer and no marks deducted for wrong answers.








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