.png?h=35&w=35&mode=stretch)
The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is a critical test for all law graduates in India. You must pass this exam to get your license and legally practice law in any Indian court. The Bar Council of India (BCI) runs the exam and sets the minimum passing scores, which we call the cut-off.
BCI officially raised the minimum qualifying marks on AIBE 18 onwards. As per this new change, candidates in the General and OBC categories must score 45% to pass (45 marks out of 100). Similarly, the cut-off for SC/ST candidates was increased to 40%(40 marks out of 100).
It is expected that the AIBE 20 passing marks will stay the same. The likely cut-offs for the AIBE 20 in 2025 will be 45% for General/OBC and 40% for SC/ST candidates. But the passing marks are expected to be 42-45 for general/OBC candidates, 37-40 for SC/ST candidates, in case any questions are dropped after evaluation.
Also Read:
AIBE 20 Complete Category-wise Cutoff Predictions
According to BCI, the minimum qualifying percentile for the general/OBC candidates is 45%, which translates to 45 marks out of 100. Minimum cutoff for SC/ST candidates is 40% (40 Marks out of 100).
The cutoff marks will be varied, if any discrepancy questions are dropped from the AIBE 20 evaluation.
- Based on past year's data and trends, the expected cutoff marks for general and OBC candidates are 42-45, depending on the number of questions being dropped.
- Expected cutoff marks for SC/ST candidates are around 37 -40 marks. But candidates should aim for higher marks, to be on the safer side.
| Category | Minimum Cutoff | Expected Cutoff | Percentage | Safe Score Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 45 Marks | 42-45 | 45% | 48-50 Marks |
| OBC | 45 Marks | 42-45 | 40% | 43-45 Marks |
| SC | 40 Marks | 37-40 | 40% | 43-45 Marks |
| ST | 40 Marks | 37-40 | 40% | 43-45 Marks |
| PWD | 40 Marks | 37-40 | 40% | 43-45 Marks |
AIBE 20 Expected Cutoff 2025 for General and OBC Category
Based on past-year data and current trends, the expected cutoff for the general and OBC categories in the AIBE 20 is expected to remain around 45 marks out of 100. This represents 45% of the total marks.
Candidates from both general and OBC categories should target a score of at least 50 marks to be on the safer side. Even though 45 is the qualifying cutoff, scoring higher provides a comfortable margin.
| Score Range | Probability | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 53+ Marks | Excellent | Comfortable Clearance |
| 48-52 Marks | Safe Zone | Recommended Score |
| 42-45 Marks | Expected Cutoff | Minimum Target Score |
| Below 45 | At Risk | May not qualify |
Expected Cutoff for SC/ST Category in AIBE 20 Exam
For SC/ST candidates, the AIBE maintains a qualifying percentage of 40%, lower than of the OBC and general categories. The expected cutoff for SC/ST candidates in the AIBE 20 exam is expected to be around 40 marks out of 100.
While qualifying marks are set at 40, aim for 45-50 marks to get a comfortable clearance.
| Score Category | Expected Marks | Performance level |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Mark | 40 Marks | Minimum to clear the AIBE exam |
| Expected qualifying mark | 37 - 40 Marks | Depend on the number of questions dropped |
| Safe Score | 43-46 Marks | Comfortable clearance |
| Good Score | 47 - 50 Marks | Above average preparation |
| Excellent Score | 51+ marks | Outstanding performance |
AIBE Cutoff Trends for the Past 5 Years (AIBE 15 - AIBE 20)
The general and OBC categories typically share the same minimum qualifying criteria, and the EWS category is usually grouped with the general and OBC categories; however, the cutoff for EWS is not published separately.
- The BCI increased the minimum qualifying percentage for general and OBC from 40% to 45% starting from AIBE 18. And the percentage for SC/ST was also increased from 35% to 40% in the same year.
- The actual cutoff marks often change from the ideal score, because sometimes BCI withdraws questions after the exam due to discrepancies. This reduces the total marks of the paper.
Here is the table that shows historical trends of Minimum qualifying marks over the past 5 years.
| AIBE Session | Total Marks (Approx. After Corrections) | General/OBC minimum qualifying percentile | General/OBC minimum qualifying Marks | SC/ST minimum qualifying percentile | SC/ST minimum qualifying percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIBE 20(2025) (Expected) | 98-100 | 45% | 42-45 | 40% | 37-40 |
| AIBE 19(2024) | 93 | 45% | 42 | 40% | 37 |
| AIBE 18(2023) | 93 | 45% | 42 | 40% | 37 |
| AIBE 17(2022) | 98 | 40% | 39 | 35% | 34 |
| AIBE 16(2021) | 98 | 40% | 38 | 35% | 34 |
| AIBE 15(2020) | 97-98 | 40% | 38 | 35% | 33 |
Key Factors Influencing the AIBE 20 Cutoff
Even though BCI has set the minimum qualifying percentile for all categories, it may vary depending on different factors such as
- AIBE qualifying Percentile: 45% for general and OBC, 40% for SC/ST.
- Answers challenged by the AIBE 20 candidates for re-checking.
- The objections accepted by BCI.
- The number of questions dropped from the AIBE evaluation after valid objections were accepted.
| Factors | Description |
| AIBE Qualifying Marks | The minimum percentage required to qualify (45% for general/OBC) and 40% for SC/ST) |
| Answers challenged by AIBE 20 candidates for rechecking | Candidates can raise objections to the provisional answer key |
| Objections accepted by the BCCI | BCI reviews and accepts valid objections, which change the answer key and scores |
| Number of questions dropped from the AIBE 20 evaluation | Questions with errors or multiple correct answers are withdrawn, reducing total marks. |
| Difficulty paper | Tough paper may ease the cutoff |
AIBE 20 Expected Cutoff 2025 FAQs
Ques. What is the expected cutoff for general/OBC in AIBE 20?
Ans. It is expected that 42 - 45 out of 98-100 marks for the general and OBC candidates. It is safe to aim for 48 - 50.
Ques. How do dropped questions affect the AIBE 20 cutoff?
Ans. If questions are withdrawn due to discrepancies, total marks will be reduced, decreasing the cutoff marks as well.
Ques. What if I score exactly 45 marks for general? Will I qualify?
Ans. It is border line and it depends on the final adjustments. 45 is the minimum, but if there are no questions being dropped, it may affect the cutoff marks. It is better to target 48.
Ques. Compared to AIBE 19, will the AIBE 20 cutoff be higher or lower?
Ans. It is expected to be similar, or even less than AIBE 19. Tougher paper might ease the cutoff. Also depends on the number of questions being dropped.
Comments