AIBE XXI 2026 IPC and CrPC Section Analysis: Criminal Law Marks and Difficulty

AIBE XXI 2026 featured an estimated 16–20 questions from criminal law — covering IPC (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023) and CrPC (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023) combined — with the section rated Moderate to Difficult by students who appeared on June 6, 2026.

The Bar Council of India conducted the All India Bar Examination XXI (AIBE 21) on June 6, 2026. Criminal law subjects carry significant weight in the AIBE paper, and AIBE XXI was no exception. Since the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 replaced the IPC and CrPC respectively from July 1, 2024, AIBE XXI tested students on the updated statutory framework. Knowing the section-wise question distribution, marks allocation, and difficulty level helps future AIBE aspirants plan their preparation strategically.

• AIBE XXI format: 100 questions, 100 marks, 3 hours 30 minutes, open-book examination
• IPC/BNS questions in AIBE XXI: approximately 8–10 questions (based on previous edition trends)
• CrPC/BNSS questions in AIBE XXI: approximately 8–10 questions (based on previous edition trends)
• Combined criminal law weightage: 16–20% of the total paper
• Overall criminal law difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Qualifying marks: 45 out of 100 for General and 40 out of 100 for SC/ST students

---

AIBE XXI 2026 Exam Overview

The All India Bar Examination XXI was conducted on June 6, 2026 by the Bar Council of India. AIBE is a mandatory certification test for law graduates who wish to practice as advocates in India. The exam is held in open-book format — students can carry bare acts, codified laws, and annotated texts into the examination hall. With 100 questions and 100 marks, every subject cluster matters for clearing the qualifying threshold.

---

IPC / BNS 2023 Section Analysis in AIBE XXI 2026

The Indian Penal Code 1860 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, effective July 1, 2024. AIBE XXI 2026 tested students on BNS provisions, though the substantive criminal law principles remain broadly aligned with the former IPC. Based on previous AIBE editions, the BNS/IPC section carries an estimated 8–10 questions in the total paper.

Questions from this section test knowledge of offences, punishments, general exceptions, and specific categories of crime. The table below shows the topic-wise expected breakup based on AIBE trend analysis from previous editions:

A notable feature of AIBE XXI was the inclusion of new BNS-specific provisions absent from the IPC — particularly organised crime (Sections 111–112, BNS), hit-and-run offences (Section 106(2), BNS), and community service as a punishment option. Students unfamiliar with these BNS additions found 1–2 questions in this cluster unexpectedly challenging.

---

CrPC / BNSS 2023 Section Analysis in AIBE XXI 2026

The Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, also effective from July 1, 2024. AIBE XXI tested students on the updated procedural law. The CrPC/BNSS section contributes an estimated 8–10 questions to the total paper, consistent with historical AIBE trends.

Questions focused on procedural aspects — bail types, arrest procedures, trial classification, and investigation timelines. The BNSS introduced significant procedural changes, including mandatory video recording of crime scene searches, Zero FIR provisions, and strict timelines for investigations in serious cases — all of which were reflected in AIBE XXI questions.

The bail section was notably more conceptual in AIBE XXI, with questions testing the distinction between anticipatory bail, default bail, and regular bail under BNSS. The Zero FIR question was reported as one of the more straightforward items in this cluster.

---

Criminal Law Marks Distribution in AIBE XXI 2026

Together, BNS 2023 and BNSS 2023 account for an estimated 16–20 marks out of 100 in AIBE XXI — making criminal law the second-largest subject cluster after Constitutional Law. The table below shows the estimated subject-wise marks distribution for AIBE XXI based on previous edition trends:

All figures above are estimated based on previous AIBE editions and student feedback. The official subject-wise breakup for AIBE XXI will be published by the Bar Council of India on its official website.

---

Difficulty Level and Good Attempts in AIBE XXI Criminal Law Section

The criminal law section in AIBE XXI 2026 was rated Moderate to Difficult overall based on student feedback. New BNS and BNSS provisions not covered in standard IPC/CrPC preparation contributed to the higher difficulty in certain questions. Since AIBE has no negative marking, every question should be attempted regardless of uncertainty.

Students aiming to clear the cut-off should target at least 10–12 correct answers from the criminal law cluster. This builds a comfortable margin above the 45-mark General category qualifying threshold even if performance in other subjects is average.

---

How to Prepare Criminal Law for Future AIBE Editions

The shift from IPC/CrPC to BNS/BNSS demands updated preparation. These steps will help you score well in the criminal law section:

• Carry BNS 2023 and BNSS 2023 bare acts into the exam hall — use annotated editions with section-number indexes to locate answers quickly under time pressure
• Focus on new BNS provisions that did not exist in the IPC — community service as punishment, organised crime (Sections 111–112), hit-and-run (Section 106(2))
• For BNSS, master investigation timelines (90 days for serious offences), Zero FIR mechanics, and mandatory video recording of searches
• Prioritise bail provisions — regular, anticipatory, default, and interim bail — as these feature in almost every AIBE edition
• Practice fast section-number lookups in the bare act — AIBE time pressure makes open-book speed as important as knowledge
• Solve at least five previous AIBE question papers to identify recurring criminal law patterns and question styles

---