Title: Supreme Court Seeks BCI Response on Plea Challenging ₹3,500 AIBE Fee
Meta Description: The Supreme Court has asked the Bar Council of India to respond to a PIL challenging the ₹3,500 fee for the All India Bar Examination, citing concerns over financial burden on aspiring lawyers.
Supreme Court Seeks BCI’s Stand on ₹3,500 AIBE Fee in Public Interest Litigation
New Delhi, May 2025 – The Supreme Court of India has sought a response from the Bar Council of India (BCI) on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the ₹3,500 fee imposed for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE).
The matter, titled Sanyam Gandhi v. Union of India, was heard by a Bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan.
Petitioner Alleges Arbitrary Fee Structure Violates Constitutional Rights
The petitioner contended that the AIBE fee structure is arbitrary and violates the principles laid down in the landmark Gaurav Kumar v. Union of India case. In that judgment, the Court had capped enrolment fees collected by state bar councils and the BCI, citing affordability and the right to practice law.
The petitioner submitted that the current AIBE fee places an unreasonable financial burden on fresh law graduates, potentially impeding their constitutional right to practice under Article 19(1)(g).
Court’s Earlier Observations: Protecting Financial Autonomy of Bar Councils
In a February 2025 hearing, the Supreme Court had earlier declined to entertain the plea, emphasizing the need to preserve the financial autonomy of bar councils.
“You want the bar councils to survive or not? We have already chopped off the upper and lower limbs. They also have staff to pay. Once you pay ₹3,500, you will start earning ₹3,50,000 also,” Justice JB Pardiwala remarked at that time, defending the need for reasonable fees to support institutional infrastructure.
Court’s Directive: Approach BCI First
The Bench had previously advised the petitioner to first submit a representation to the Bar Council of India before escalating the matter to the judiciary. The Court had clarified that the issue of AIBE examination fees was separate from enrolment fees, and warranted administrative attention before judicial intervention.
BCI Yet to Respond, Court Now Issues Notice
Despite the petitioner approaching the BCI, no response was received, prompting the filing of the current plea. Taking note of the situation, the Supreme Court has now formally sought a reply from the BCI, keeping the PIL alive for further adjudication.
The case raises important questions about access to the legal profession, affordability of legal education, and the balance between institutional funding and public interest.
What is the All India Bar Examination (AIBE)?
The AIBE is a mandatory certification exam conducted by the BCI for law graduates in India. Passing the AIBE is a prerequisite for receiving a Certificate of Practice, allowing candidates to appear in courts.
With growing concerns over legal education costs, the petition could spark broader conversations around regulatory reforms in the legal profession.
WHATSAPP GROUP LINK
WHATSAPP COMMUNITYTELEGRAM CHANNEL LINK
WEBSITE LINK
Post a Comment