Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Petition Challenging AIBE Fees, Says BCI Needs To Survive

On February 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of India declined to entertain a petition challenging the ₹3,500 fee for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). The bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, emphasized the necessity of such fees for the financial sustainability of bar councils. The petitioner, Sanyam Gandhi, argued that the AIBE fee violated Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution and contradicted the Advocates Act. He referenced the Supreme Court's July 2024 ruling in Gaurav Kumar v. Union of India, which limited enrolment fees charged by State Bar Councils and the Bar Council of India (BCI). However, the Court noted that further restrictions could impede the functioning of these bar bodies. The bench advised Gandhi to present his concerns directly to the BCI. They stated that if the BCI's response was unsatisfactory or absent within a reasonable timeframe, he could approach the Court again. Justice Pardiwala highlighted the importance of the fee, stating, "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." This decision underscores the balance between regulating entry into the legal profession and ensuring the operational viability of regulatory bodies like the BCI.