Bar Council of Gujarat 2026: Advocate Enrolment Fee Hike Proposed to ₹22,500, AIBE Updates

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has released the Draft Advocates Amendment Bill 2026 for public consultation, proposing a substantial increase in the State Bar Council enrolment fee for new advocates from ₹750 to ₹22,500. This draft bill, which also includes reforms in legal education and professional development, is open for public suggestions until 31 July 2026.

This proposed fee hike, the first since 1993, aims to address administrative expenses, enhance welfare benefits for advocates, and modernize the legal profession, aligning with directives from the Supreme Court. The changes will significantly impact aspiring legal professionals across India, including those seeking enrolment with the Bar Council of Gujarat.

Advocate Enrolment Fee 2026: Proposed Changes and Distribution

The Draft Advocates Amendment Bill 2026 outlines a new fee structure for advocate enrolment, increasing the existing fee of ₹750 to ₹22,500. This revised fee will be distributed, with ₹18,000 allocated to the respective State Bar Council and ₹4,500 to the Bar Council of India. For candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories, the proposal suggests they pay one-fourth (25%) of the new enrolment fee.

The Bar Council of Gujarat (BCG), an autonomous statutory body established under the Advocates Act, 1961, on August 16, 1961, will be directly affected by these changes. The first elected body of the BCG took charge on December 6, 1961. Initially, 1184 advocates were enrolled with the State Bar Council of Gujarat in 1961, a number that grew to approximately 75,000 advocates by November 2018. The BCG’s Enrolment Department, staffed by Sr. Clerks Mr. H. R. Chauhan and Ms. S. P. Vala, and Jr. Clerks Mr. D. S. Parmar and Ms. Y. T. Patel, handles all enrolment-related processes including Sanad deposit, re-issue, duplicate Sanad, name changes, and provisional permission letters.

Proposed Advocate Enrolment Fees

All India Bar Examination (Aibe) 2026: Key Updates

The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) remains a mandatory requirement for candidates who obtained their law degree from the academic year 2009-10 onwards. A significant development in 2024, stemming from a Supreme Court ruling, now allows eligible final-year law students, provided they have no backlogs, to appear for the AIBE exam even before their formal enrolment as advocates. This change aims to simplify the entry process into the legal profession.

Also, the AIBE syllabus has been updated to incorporate the new criminal laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). These additions reflect the ongoing reforms in the Indian legal system and ensure that new advocates are well-versed in the latest legislative frameworks.

Draft Advocates Amendment Bill 2026: Broader Reforms

Beyond the enrolment fee, the Draft Advocates Amendment Bill 2026 proposes several other significant reforms impacting the legal profession in India. The bill mandates the registration of all Indian law firms, aiming to bring greater transparency and regulation to the sector. It also introduces a distinct legal framework for foreign legal professionals, explicitly restricting them from practicing in Indian courts, thereby safeguarding the domain for domestic practitioners.

In a move to enhance the quality of legal education, the Bar Council of India may also conduct entrance examinations for LLB, LLM, and PhD law programmes. This initiative, if implemented, would standardize the entry criteria for higher legal education and potentially elevate academic standards across institutions.

Important Dates for Draft Advocates Amendment Bill 2026

How to Submit Suggestions for the Draft Bill

Individuals and stakeholders interested in providing feedback on the Draft Advocates Amendment Bill 2026 can submit their suggestions to the Bar Council of India. The deadline for these submissions is 31 July 2026. The BCI encourages complete input to ensure that the final legislation effectively addresses the needs and concerns of the legal fraternity and the public.

1. Review the complete Draft Advocates Amendment Bill 2026 released by the Bar Council of India.
2. Formulate specific suggestions or objections regarding the proposed changes.
3. Prepare your submission in the format specified by the BCI (if any).
4. Submit your suggestions to the designated authority or portal of the Bar Council of India before the deadline of 31 July 2026.

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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