QUALITY OVER QUANTITY: SUPREME COURT REINFORCES AIBE STANDARDS FOR ASPIRING LAWYERS
Category: Legal News
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The decision came in response to a plea seeking a reduction in the qualifying score. The AIBE is a mandatory examination for law graduates who wish to practice law in India, and it assesses candidates’ knowledge of legal principles, ethics, professional conduct and knowledge in the subject. Hence, passing the AIBE is a prerequisite for enrolment with the Bar Council of India (BCI) and practicing law.
However, recently concerns were raised related to the cut-off score of the AIBE. As per the recent RTI report, it has been revealed that more than 50% of the law aspirants failed to clear the 2023 AIBE examination. The petitioner in the case Ranjeet Singh and Another vs. Bar Council of India argued that the current pass marks, set at 45%, were too high, especially considering the challenges faced by aspiring lawyers. They contended that lowering the cutoff would allow more candidates to qualify and enter the legal profession.
The Supreme Court, however, disagreed. The plea was heard by a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud. While rejecting the petition, the CJI observed that lowering the cut-off would negatively impact the quality of the lawyers admitted to the bar. In his reasoning, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasized the importance of maintaining the standards in the legal profession as the current passing marks stand at 45% for general category and OBC candidates and 40% for SC/ST candidates. Therefore, It has been observed that by maintaining the current cut-off score, the top court’s primary motive is to allow only qualified law aspirants to enter the legal profession.Â
It is essential to meet the cut-off by attaining the required score for practicing law and ensuring quality in India. The decision reinforces the idea that legal competence is non-negotiable and points out the responsibility lawyers bear in serving society.While some may view the ruling as harsh and stringent, the court’s decision reinforces its commitment to admitting only qualified individuals to the bar, ensuring the quality of legal services in the country. As Chief Justice Chandrachud aptly put it, “Padho bhai! (please study),” a reminder of the necessity of adequate preparation for aspiring lawyers.
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WRITTEN BY: MARIA THERESE SYRIAC GUIDED BY: ADVOCATE ANIK
