Introduction

Reviewed by Rajni Bala, Assistant Professor of Law | Academic Review Panel
Last Updated: February 2026

Yes.In AIBE 2026, candidates are allowed to carry bare acts without notes, comments, highlights, or handwritten markings into the examination hall. Only clean, unannotated bare acts are permitted as per instructions issued with AIBE notifications by the Bar Council of India.

Why This Topic Matters for Students

AIBE is an open-book certification exam. Your success heavily depends on how well you use bare acts during the exam. Many candidates get confused about what is allowed and what is prohibited, which can lead to confiscation of material or disqualification.

Understanding the official allowed bare acts list helps you prepare the right material and avoid last-minute issues at the exam centre

Key Highlights

PointDetails
ExamAIBE Exam (XXI) -2026
AuthorityBar Council of India
Material AllowedBare Acts without notes
Not AllowedNotes, guides, commentaries, highlighted text
StrategyUse indexed, clean bare acts for quick reference

Detailed Explanation

What Does “Bare Act” Mean in AIBE?

A bare act is the exact text of the statute/law published without any explanation, commentary, case laws, or personal notes.

What Is Strictly Prohibited?

You cannot carry:

  • Guidebooks
  • Commentaries
  • Written notes
  • Highlighted/underlined text
  • Sticky notes or tags with writing

Why BCI Allows Bare Acts?

AIBE tests your practical ability to locate and apply law, not memorisation. Hence, bare acts are allowed but must be clean and unmodified.

Complete List of Important Bare Acts to Carry for AIBE

1. Core Bare Acts Allowed (High Weightage Subjects)

  • Constitution of India
  • Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
  • Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
  • Indian Penal Code, 1860 / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
  • Indian Evidence Act, 1872 / Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam
  • Indian Contract Act, 1872
  • Specific Relief Act, 1963
  • Transfer of Property Act, 1882
  • Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

2. Important Procedural & Practice Laws

  • Advocates Act, 1961
  • Bar Council of India Rules (Professional Ethics)
  • Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
  • Consumer Protection Act
  • Motor Vehicles Act
  • Public Interest Litigation provisions

3. Family, Property & Social Laws

  • Hindu Marriage Act
  • Hindu Succession Act
  • Muslim Personal Law (relevant provisions)
  • Guardians and Wards Act
  • Land Acquisition Act

4. Commercial & Miscellaneous Laws

  • Company Act (relevant sections)
  • Environmental Protection Act
  • Labour & Industrial Laws
  • Cyber Laws
  • Intellectual Property Laws
  • Law of Tort (relevant statutes)

These align directly with the AIBE syllabus subjects and weightage.

Common Mistakes Students Make While Carrying Bare Acts in AIBE

Many candidates lose their advantage in AIBE not because of lack of knowledge, but due to improper bare act handlingat the exam centre. These are the most frequent mistakes observed in previous AIBE exams:

  • Carrying highlighted or underlined bare acts: Even simple highlighting is treated as “marking” and may lead to the book being confiscated.
  • Writing section numbers or keywords on page edges: Any handwritten aid, even for navigation, is strictly prohibited.
  • Using commentaries thinking they qualify as bare acts: Guides, digests, or annotated publications are not allowed inside the exam hall.
  • Attaching sticky notes with written hints: Page flags are allowed only if they are blank and contain no writing.
  • Bringing photocopies or printouts of acts: Only properly published bare act books are accepted; loose sheets are not permitted.
  • Depending on a single bulky bare act book: This slows down section finding and wastes valuable exam time.

Avoiding these mistakes ensures that your material is not seized during checking and you can use it confidently throughout the exam.


Expert Strategy to Use Bare Acts Effectively During AIBE

AIBE is an open-book exam, but success depends on how efficiently you use your bare acts, not merely carrying them.

Follow this practical strategy adopted by AIBE qualifiers:

  • Use pocket-sized or separate bare act booklets instead of one combined heavy volume for faster navigation.
  • Arrange bare acts according to syllabus weightage (CPC, CrPC, Evidence, Constitution on top).
  • Practice locating important sections at home before the exam to build speed.
  • Use blank page markers to identify major Acts without writing anything on them.
  • Keep frequently used Acts easily accessible in transparent folders for quick reach.
  • Do not open bare acts for every question — first attempt from knowledge, then verify sections only when required.

This approach saves time and turns bare acts into a real advantage rather than a distraction.

Related AIBE Guides You Should Read

To understand AIBE rules, preparation, and eligibility holistically, you should also explore these important guides:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I carry highlighted Bare acts in AIBE?

No. Highlighted, underlined, or marked Bare Acts are generally not allowed in AIBE. Carry clean, unmarked Bare Acts only.

Q2. Are commentaries allowed in AIBE?

No. Commentaries, guides, solved papers, notes, and annotated/marked books are not allowed. Only clean Bare Acts (without notes or commentary) are permitted.

Q3. Can I use page markers?

Yes, plain page markers/tabs are usually allowed for quick navigation only if they are blank (no writing, no notes, no section numbers). Avoid anything that contains printed or handwritten text.

Q4. Is Constitution of India allowed?

Yes. A clean, unannotated copy of the Constitution of India is allowed.

Final Conclusion

Bare acts are your biggest advantage in AIBE 2026, but only if they are clean, unannotated, and properly organized. Carrying the right material can significantly improve your speed and accuracy during the exam.

Article Authority

Author: Dinesh Kumar — Lawyer | Legal Compliance Reviewer | Founder, Lawsection.in
Law graduate (Panjab University) and AIBE qualifier; ensures statutory and regulatory accuracy across Lawsection.in content.

Academic Review: Rajni Bala — Assistant Professor of Law | Academic Reviewer, Lawsection.in
UGC NET qualified (twice) and AIBE qualifier; reviews exam and regulatory content for academic and legal consistency.

Last Updated: February 20, 2026

This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

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