The Bar Council of India has clarified that the fee for the tenth edition of the All India Bar Examination (AIBE X) will be Rs. 3,500 for general category candidates and Rs. 2,500 for SC/ST candidates.

In a letter addressed to state Bar Councils yesterday, the BCI also confirmed that all candidates who have graduated post July 2010 may take the AIBE any number of times. Advocates, will however, not be allowed to practice in courts if they fail to pass the exam, notwithstanding the fact that they have been enrolled with a state Bar Council for more than two years.

The BCI issued the clarification after the state bodies expressed doubts as to whether an advocate enrolled in a state Bar Council for more than two years would be eligible to appear for the exam.

The regulator had recently issued a notice stating that candidates interested in enrolment would have to pay a fee of Rs. 2500 to the concerned state Bar Council.

Read the letter dated January 31: