207 Lawyers Clear Supreme Court AoR Examination 2025

The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Examination 2025 has concluded with 207 lawyers successfully clearing the prestigious test. The exam, conducted in June 2025, determines eligibility to practise as an Advocate-on-Record before the Supreme Court under the Supreme Court Rules, 2013.

The Advocates-on-Record system plays a crucial role in the functioning of the Supreme Court. Only an Advocate-on-Record is authorised to file and act in matters before the Court. Clearing this examination is therefore a significant professional milestone for litigating lawyers.

Alongside the successful candidates, 115 lawyers have been declared eligible to reappear in the subsequent examination as per the Advocates-on-Record Examination Regulations. These provisions offer limited opportunities to improve performance under specific conditions.

Out of these 115 candidates, 63 are eligible to reappear under Regulation 11(i). This regulation applies to candidates who failed to secure 50 per cent marks in one paper but obtained an aggregate of 60 per cent in the remaining papers.

Under Regulation 11(i), such candidates are permitted to reappear only in the paper in which they scored below 50 per cent. If, in the subsequent attempt, they secure at least 50 per cent in that paper and their overall aggregate reaches 60 per cent, they will be declared to have passed the AoR examination.

The remaining 52 candidates are eligible to reappear under Regulation 11(ii). This provision applies where a candidate has passed all papers in a single examination but failed to achieve 60 per cent marks in the aggregate.

Regulation 11(ii) allows such candidates to reappear in any one paper in a subsequent examination. If, after reappearing, the combined marks from the earlier papers and the improved paper bring the aggregate to 60 per cent, the candidate will be declared successful.

The structure of these regulations reflects the Court’s balanced approach. While maintaining high professional standards, the rules provide narrowly tailored opportunities for candidates who narrowly missed the qualifying threshold.

The AoR examination is widely regarded as one of the most demanding professional tests in the legal field. It evaluates not only substantive knowledge but also procedural understanding, drafting skills, and familiarity with Supreme Court practice.

With 207 new Advocates-on-Record qualifying this year, the Supreme Court Bar will see an expansion of lawyers authorised to directly conduct filings and represent litigants at the highest judicial forum of the country.

The results once again highlight the competitive nature of the examination and the importance of consistent preparation. For many lawyers, clearing the AoR exam marks a decisive step in building a specialised Supreme Court practice.