The Bar Council of India (BCI) has announced important new rules for blind and low-vision candidates taking the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) XX. These rules are put in place to help students with visual impairments access the legal profession more easily. The AIBE XX exam is planned for December 2025 . Under these new guidelines, eligible candidates will receive several support measures, including extra time during the exam, the option to use a helper (scribe), and special computer software. Also, some candidates might not need to take the Hindi language paper.
These changes reflect BCI's goal to make sure that everyone has a fair chance to become a lawyer, including those with disabilities. The BCI wants to increase the number of differently-abled students who join the legal field. These detailed guidelines clearly explain the support available for the upcoming AIBE XX.
Key Support for Visually Impaired Candidates
The new guidelines introduce specific help for visually impaired candidates. These measures are designed to remove barriers and provide a comfortable exam experience.
| Support Measure | Details |
| Extra Exam Time | Candidates will get 20 minutes extra for every hour of the exam. For the 3-hour AIBE XX, this means a total of 1 hour extra. |
| Scribe Facility | Candidates can choose to use a writer (scribe) to mark answers for them. This is allowed under rules from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. |
| Assistive Software | Candidates can use special computer software like NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) on their own. They can check the computer and install NVDA a day before the exam. |
| Hindi Paper Exemption | Some visually impaired candidates can be fully excused from taking Paper V, which is the Hindi language paper. |
Extra Time Explained
For the AIBE XX, which normally runs for three hours, visually impaired candidates will get an additional 60 minutes. This means their total exam duration will be four hours. This extra time, calculated as 20 minutes for each hour of the exam, is given to ensure candidates have enough time to read the questions, process information, and respond, whether they are working independently with software or using a scribe.
Using a Scribe or Assistive Software
Candidates have the choice to either use a scribe or operate special software by themselves. A scribe is a person who writes down answers as dictated by the candidate. This helps candidates who find it hard to write due to their visual impairment. The use of a scribe must follow guidelines set by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
For those who prefer to work on their own, the BCI allows the use of assistive software such as NVDA. NVDA is a free program that helps blind and low-vision people use computers. It reads out text and other things on the screen. To make sure there are no issues during the exam, candidates can visit the exam center a day before to check the computer system and install NVDA.
Exemption from Hindi Language Paper
In a significant move, some candidates with visual impairments are eligible to be completely excused from Paper V, the Hindi language paper. This exemption aims to remove a specific challenge for those who might face difficulty with a language paper because of their visual condition. This step makes the exam more accessible and fair.
How to Qualify for Support
To receive any of these special provisions, candidates must provide a valid medical certificate. This certificate must come from an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) recognized by the government. The certificate needs to clearly state that the candidate has at least 40% visual impairment . This percentage is based on the rules of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The medical certificate should also give details about the candidate's vision loss and recommend any specific aids or support they might need during the examination. It is important for candidates to submit this certificate well in advance to ensure they receive the necessary help on exam day.
Goal: Equal Opportunity in Law
These new guidelines from the Bar Council of India show a clear commitment to equal opportunities. By providing these necessary accommodations, the BCI hopes to encourage more visually impaired students to pursue careers in law. This ensures that deserving candidates, regardless of their visual challenges, can sit for the AIBE XX exam confidently and enter the legal profession.
