Advocate-on-Record Examination · Complete Guide
Only an Advocate-on-Record (AOR) can file a matter or appear to plead in the Supreme Court of India. This guide brings together the eligibility rules, training requirements, syllabus, leading cases, lectures and past papers from the Supreme Court's AOR page, grouped so you can find what you need quickly.
Eligibility: the path to becoming an AOR
Under Order IV, Rule 5 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, and the AOR Examination Regulations.
- Enrol with a State Bar Council
Your eligibility is counted from the date of enrolment.
- Complete 4 years of practice
You need at least four years' standing as an advocate before training can begin.
- Train for 1 year under a senior AOR
The training must be continuous and must start after the end of your fourth year. Your AOR must have at least 10 years' standing as an AOR. You must inform the Registry within 7 days of starting.
- File the completion certificate
Your AOR issues it on their letterhead, with a report of your work, once the year is complete. Your exam application is accepted only after this certificate is produced.
- Apply for and pass the exam
There are four papers. You need at least 50% in each paper and 60% overall. See passing rules.
Documents when you start training
- Intimation letter from you, preferably on your letterhead, with a recent photo, full address and contact details
- Consent letter from the AOR on their letterhead, signed and stamped
- Notarised or attested copy of your enrolment certificate
- Original continuity certificate from your State Bar Council, dated within the last 6 months
- Notarised or attested copy of your AIBE Certificate of Practice, if applicable
Documents when you finish training
- Certificate of completion from the AOR on their letterhead, signed and stamped, with a detailed report of your work
The Supreme Court provides formats for the intimation letter, consent letter and completion certificate.
The exam: four papers
Regulation 4(a). The exam is held in New Delhi. Recent exams have been pen-and-paper only.
Practice & Procedure of the Supreme Court
Supreme Court Rules 2013, the Constitution's provisions on the Court's jurisdiction, and filing and listing practice.
Drafting
SLPs and statements of case, decrees, orders and writs.
Advocacy & Professional Ethics
Advocates Act, BCI Rules, duties of an AOR, contempt, conflicts of interest and privilege.
Leading Cases
86 prescribed judgments. Head notes are provided in the exam hall.
Paper II: what "Drafting" covers
The official syllabus is petitions for special leave and statements of case, plus decrees, orders and writs. The Court has clarified that it also covers:
- Petitions of appeal
- Plaints and written statements in suits under Art. 131
- Review petitions under Art. 137
- Transfer petitions under S. 25 CPC, Art. 139 and S. 446 BNSS (formerly S. 406 CrPC)
- Contempt petitions under Art. 129
- Interlocutory applications, including bail, condonation of delay, exemption from surrendering and revocation of special leave
Paper III: suggested topics
- The concept of a profession; ethics and morality; the seven lamps of advocacy; the public trust doctrine
- History of the legal profession in India and the relevant statutes
- Misconduct and punishment (Ss. 35 and 24A of the Advocates Act); duty not to strike; advertising and solicitation
- BCI Rules, Chapter II: standards of professional conduct and etiquette
- Comparative ethics across countries; critiques of the adversary system
- Criminal defence and prosecutorial ethics
- Confidentiality and privilege (S. 132 BSA, formerly S. 126 Evidence Act); conflicts of interest; ethics in mediation and as amicus curiae
- Law firms and how ethics applies to them
- Supreme Court practice: adjournments, duties of an AOR, contempt
Passing rules & attempts
These rules decide whether you can sit the next exam, so read them before applying.
You pass if you score at least 50% in every paper and 60% in aggregate.
Sitting even one paper counts as an attempt. The December 2021 exam is not counted, as a one-time relaxation (Circular dated 17.05.2024).
Reg. 11(iv)11(i): you failed one paper but scored 60% aggregate in the others. 11(ii): you passed every paper but fell short of 60% overall. Either way you may re-sit one paper, or choose to take the whole exam again. The choice is final once you apply.
Reg. 11(i), 11(ii)You cannot sit the very next exam.
Reg. 11(iii)If you are given a roll number and miss the exam, you may be barred from later exams (Reg. 5(b)). If you miss some papers and fail any you took, you are treated as having failed all four.
Answer sheets are never re-evaluated. Requests for any other relief must be made within 30 days of the result.
Reg. 12How to apply
Based on the December 2026 notification. Check each new notification, because dates and the room number can change.
- Fill in the application form
The form is Annexure A of the notification. Fill in every field and strike out any that don't apply. Paste a recent photo at the top right. Incomplete or illegible forms are rejected.
- Pay the ₹750 fee online
Go to sci.gov.in → e-Services → Integrated Online Payment System, choose AOR Registration/Exam Fees, and pay through Bharatkosh by NEFT, RTGS or another listed method.
- Submit the hard copies
Send the form, a self-attested copy of your enrolment certificate and the fee receipt to the AOR Examination Cell, Room 308, 3rd Floor, B-Block, Administrative Buildings Complex, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi-110001, by hand, post or courier. Applications are accepted only once the hard copy arrives.
- Watch for your admit card and sitting plan
Admit cards are e-mailed, and sitting plans are posted on the SCI website shortly before the exam.
Scribe facility for persons with disabilities
- Available for blindness, locomotor disability (both arms affected) and cerebral palsy. Other benchmark disabilities, and disabilities under 40% that affect writing, qualify with a medical certificate (Annexure B or B1).
- You arrange and pay for your own scribe. The scribe cannot be a law graduate or law student, and must be one qualification level below you (Annexure B2).
- Submit the documents at least 15 days before the exam. You get 20 extra minutes per hour.
Prepare: lectures & study material by paper
The Supreme Court holds free lectures about a month before each exam and posts the recordings and notes afterwards. Newest first.
Recorded lectures by the Supreme Court
Recorded lectures by the Supreme Court
Recorded lectures by the Supreme Court
Notes & reading material
- PDFNote for Paper III — Maninder Singh, Sr. Adv. 2023
- PDFStudy material for Paper III (illustrative) — Maninder Singh, Sr. Adv. 2023
- PDFTopics suggested for study in Paper III (supplementary notice) 2022
- PDFList of materials on ethics (illustrative, not exhaustive) 2021
- PDFStudy material on professional ethics — R. Venkataramani, Sr. Adv. 2019
- PDFLecture on professional ethics — R. Venkataramani, Sr. Adv.
- PDFStudy material — R. Venkataramani, Sr. Adv.
- PDFArticle: Are there public interest limits on lawyers' advocacy?
- PDFArticle: Critical morality for lawyers
- PDFArticle: Adversary advocacy and the authority of adjudication
Recorded lectures by the Supreme Court
Notes & reading material
- PDFHead notes of leading cases — Volume I 2025
- PDFHead notes of leading cases — Volume II 2025
- PDFHead notes of leading cases — Volume III 2025
- PDFBroad categorisation of leading cases — Jay Savla, Sr. Adv. 2023
- PDFBroad categorisation of leading cases — Jay Savla, Sr. Adv. (earlier version) 2023
- PDFCompilation of judgment notes — V. Mohana, Sr. Adv. 2023
- PDFNotification on 64 leading cases with head notes 2021
- PDFRevised list of leading cases 2021
- PDFList of leading cases & short notes — F.S. Nariman, Sr. Adv. 2016
For the full list of cases, see Leading cases below.
Leading cases (Paper IV)
86 prescribed cases, per the December 2026 notification. The Registry provides bound head notes in the exam hall; don't mark them, because they are reused. Full judgments are linked for cases 1–64. Cases 65–86 were added in 2025 and are covered in the head note volumes above.
| # | Case & citation | Read |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalavaru v. State of Kerala[1973] Suppl. SCR 1 · (1973) 4 SCC 225 | Judgment PDF |
| 2 | Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India[1978] 2 SCR 621 · (1978) 1 SCC 248 | Judgment PDF |
| 3 | Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India[1981] 1 SCR 206 · (1980) 3 SCC 625 | Judgment PDF |
| 4 | Sharad Birdhi Chand Sarda v. State of Maharashtra[1985] 1 SCR 88 · (1984) 4 SCC 116 | Judgment PDF |
| 5 | A.R. Antulay v. R.S. Nayak[1988] 1 Suppl. SCR 1 · (1988) 2 SCC 602 | Judgment PDF |
| 6 | Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu[1992] 1 SCR 686 · (1992) Supp 2 SCC 651 | Judgment PDF |
| 7 | Indra Sawhney v. Union of India[1992] 2 Suppl. SCR 454 · 1992 Supp (3) SCC 217 | Judgment PDF |
| 8 | S.R. Bommai v. Union of India[1994] 2 SCR 644 · (1994) 3 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 9 | L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India[1994] 6 Suppl. SCR 261 · (1995) 1 SCC 400 | Judgment PDF |
| 10 | Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India[1996] 5 Suppl. SCR 241 · (1996) 5 SCC 647 | Judgment PDF |
| 11 | D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal[1996] 10 Suppl. SCR 284 · (1997) 1 SCC 416 | Judgment PDF |
| 12 | Mafatlal Industries Ltd. v. Union of India[1996] 10 Suppl. SCR 585 · (1997) 5 SCC 536 | Judgment PDF |
| 13 | Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan[1997] 3 Suppl. SCR 404 · (1997) 6 SCC 241 | Judgment PDF |
| 14 | Githa Hariharan v. Reserve Bank of India[1999] 1 SCR 669 · (1999) 2 SCC 228 | Judgment PDF |
| 15 | Rupa Ashok Hurra v. Ashok Hurra[2002] 2 SCR 1006 · (2002) 4 SCC 388 | Judgment PDF |
| 16 | Pradeep Kumar Biswas v. Indian Institute of Chemical Biology[2002] 3 SCR 100 · (2002) 5 SCC 111 | Judgment PDF |
| 17 | P. Rama Chandra Rao v. State of Karnataka[2002] 3 SCR 60 · (2002) 4 SCC 578 | Judgment PDF |
| 18 | T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka[2002] 3 Suppl. SCR 587 · (2002) 8 SCC 481 | Judgment PDF |
| 19 | P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra— · (2004) 8 SCC 139 | Judgment PDF |
| 20 | Technip SA v. SMS Holding (Pvt.) Ltd.[2005] 1 Suppl. SCR 223 · (2005) 5 SCC 465 | Judgment PDF |
| 21 | S.B.P. and Co. v. Patel Engineering Ltd.[2005] 4 Suppl. SCR 688 · (2005) 8 SCC 618 | Judgment PDF |
| 22 | Rameshwar Prasad v. Union of India[2006] 1 SCR 562 · (2006) 2 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 23 | I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu[2007] 1 SCR 706 · (2007) 2 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 24 | Common Cause v. Union of India[2008] 6 SCR 262 · (2008) 5 SCC 511 | Judgment PDF |
| 25 | State of West Bengal v. Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights[2010] 2 SCR 979 · (2010) 3 SCC 571 | Judgment PDF |
| 26 | Selvi v. State of Karnataka[2010] 5 SCR 381 · (2010) 7 SCC 263 | Judgment PDF |
| 27 | Re: Special Reference No. 1 of 2012[2012] 9 SCR 311 · (2012) 10 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 28 | Republic of Italy v. Union of India[2013] 4 SCR 595 · (2013) 4 SCC 721 | Judgment PDF |
| 29 | Novartis AG v. Union of India[2013] 13 SCR 148 · (2013) 6 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 30 | Dr. Balram Prasad v. Dr. Kunal Saha[2013] 12 SCR 30 · (2014) 1 SCC 384 | Judgment PDF |
| 31 | Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of U.P.[2013] 14 SCR 713 · (2014) 2 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 32 | National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India[2014] 5 SCR 119 · (2014) 5 SCC 438 | Judgment PDF |
| 33 | Pramati Educational & Cultural Trust v. Union of India[2014] 11 SCR 712 · (2014) 8 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 34 | Kailash Nath Associates v. Delhi Development Authority[2015] 1 SCR 627 · (2015) 4 SCC 136 | Judgment PDF |
| 35 | Shreya Singhal v. Union of India[2015] 5 SCR 963 · (2015) 5 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 36 | Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India[2015] 13 SCR 1 · (2016) 5 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 37 | Union of India v. V. Sriharan[2015] 14 SCR 613 · (2016) 7 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 38 | Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. v. EMCO Ltd.[2016] 1 SCR 857 · (2016) 11 SCC 182 | Judgment PDF |
| 39 | Mukesh v. State for NCT of Delhi[2017] 6 SCR 1 · (2017) 6 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 40 | Excel Crop Care Ltd. v. Competition Commission of India[2017] 5 SCR 901 · (2017) 8 SCC 47 | Judgment PDF |
| 41 | Common Cause v. Union of India[2017] 13 SCR 361 · (2017) 9 SCC 499 | Judgment PDF |
| 42 | Shayara Bano v. Union of India[2017] 9 SCR 797 · (2017) 9 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 43 | Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India (Privacy)[2017] 10 SCR 569 · (2017) 10 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 44 | Common Cause v. Union of India[2018] 6 SCR 1 · (2018) 5 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 45 | Municipal Corporation, Ujjain v. BVG India Ltd.[2018] 6 SCR 861 · (2018) 5 SCC 462 | Judgment PDF |
| 46 | Shakti Vahini v. Union of India[2018] 3 SCR 770 · (2018) 7 SCC 192 | Judgment PDF |
| 47 | Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India[2018] 7 SCR 379 · (2018) 10 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 48 | Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India (Aadhaar)[2018] 8 SCR 1 · (2019) 1 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 49 | Jarnail Singh v. Lachhmi Narain Gupta[2018] 10 SCR 663 · (2018) 10 SCC 396 | Judgment PDF |
| 50 | Joseph Shine v. Union of India[2018] 11 SCR 765 · (2019) 3 SCC 39 | Judgment PDF |
| 51 | Competition Commission of India v. Bharti Airtel Ltd.[2018] 14 SCR 489 · (2019) 2 SCC 521 | Judgment PDF |
| 52 | Swiss Ribbons Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India[2019] 3 SCR 535 · (2019) 4 SCC 17 | Judgment PDF |
| 53 | Ssangyong Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. v. NHAI[2019] 7 SCR 522 · (2019) 15 SCC 131 | Judgment PDF |
| 54 | Dr. Ashwani Kumar v. Union of India[2019] 12 SCR 30 · 2019 SCC OnLine SC 1144 | Judgment PDF |
| 55 | Rojer Mathew v. South Indian Bank Ltd.[2019] 16 SCR 1 · (2020) 6 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 56 | CPIO, Supreme Court of India v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal[2019] 16 SCR 424 · (2020) 5 SCC 481 | Judgment PDF |
| 57 | Committee of Creditors of Essar Steel India Ltd. v. Satish Kumar Gupta[2019] 16 SCR 275 · (2020) 8 SCC 531 | Judgment PDF |
| 58 | Shanti Conductors Pvt. Ltd. v. Assam State Electricity Board[2019] 16 SCR 252 · (2020) 2 SCC 677 | Judgment PDF |
| 59 | Keisham Meghachandra Singh v. Hon'ble Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly[2020] 2 SCR 132 · 2020 (2) SCALE 329 | Judgment PDF |
| 60 | Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi)[2020] 2 SCR 1 · (2020) 5 SCC 1 | Judgment PDF |
| 61 | Dheeraj Mor v. High Court of Delhi[2020] 2 SCR 161 · (2020) 7 SCC 401 | Judgment PDF |
| 62 | Internet and Mobile Association of India v. Reserve Bank of India[2020] 2 SCR 297 · (2020) 10 SCC 274 | Judgment PDF |
| 63 | Indore Development Authority v. Manoharlal[2020] 3 SCR 1 · (2020) 8 SCC 129 | Judgment PDF |
| 64 | Madras Bar Association v. Union of India[2020] 2 SCR 246 · 2020 (13) SCALE 443 | Judgment PDF |
| 65 | Nandini Sundar v. State of Chhattisgarh[2011] 8 SCR 1028 · (2011) 7 SCC 547 | Added 2025 |
| 66 | Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar[2014] 8 SCR 128 · (2014) 8 SCC 273 | Added 2025 |
| 67 | Abhiram Singh v. C.D. Commachen[2017] 1 SCR 158 · (2017) 2 SCC 629 | Added 2025 |
| 68 | Neeraj Dutta v. State (NCT of Delhi)[2022] 5 SCR 104 · (2023) 4 SCC 731 | Added 2025 |
| 69 | Sukhpal Singh Khaira v. State of Punjab[2022] 10 SCR 156 · (2023) 1 SCC 289 | Added 2025 |
| 70 | Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI[2022] 10 SCR 351 · (2022) 10 SCC 51 | Added 2025 |
| 71 | Janhit Abhiyan v. Union of India[2022] 14 SCR 1 · (2023) 5 SCC 1 | Added 2025 |
| 72 | Shilpa Sailesh v. Varun Sreenivasan[2023] 5 SCR 165 · (2023) 14 SCC 231 | Added 2025 |
| 73 | Kaushal Kishor v. State of U.P.[2023] 8 SCR 581 · (2023) 4 SCC 1 | Added 2025 |
| 74 | Subhash Desai v. State of Maharashtra[2023] 8 SCR 857 · (2024) 2 SCC 719 | Added 2025 |
| 75 | Cox & Kings Ltd. v. SAP India (P) Ltd.[2023] 15 SCR 621 · (2024) 4 SCC 1 | Added 2025 |
| 76 | In re: Interplay between Arbitration Agreements under the Arbitration Act, 1996 & Stamp Act, 1899[2023] 15 SCR 1081 · (2024) 6 SCC 1 | Added 2025 |
| 77 | In re: Article 370 of the Constitution[2023] 16 SCR 1 · 2023 SCC OnLine SC 1647 | Added 2025 |
| 78 | Association for Democratic Reforms (Electoral Bond Scheme) v. Union of India[2024] 2 SCR 420 · (2024) 5 SCC 1 | Added 2025 |
| 79 | Kavita Kamboj v. High Court of Punjab & Haryana[2024] 2 SCR 1136 · (2024) 7 SCC 103 | Added 2025 |
| 80 | Sita Soren v. Union of India[2024] 3 SCR 462 · (2024) 5 SCC 629 | Added 2025 |
| 81 | State (NCT of Delhi) v. BSK Realtors LLP[2024] 5 SCR 1159 · (2024) 7 SCC 370 | Added 2025 |
| 82 | Mineral Area Development Authority v. SAIL[2024] 7 SCR 1549 · (2024) 10 SCC 1 | Added 2025 |
| 83 | State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh[2024] 8 SCR 1321 · (2025) 1 SCC 1 | Added 2025 |
| 84 | Aligarh Muslim University v. Naresh Agarwal— · 2024 SCC OnLine SC 3213 | Added 2025 |
| 85 | Property Owners Association v. State of Maharashtra[2024] 11 SCR 1 · 2024 SCC OnLine SC 3122 | Added 2025 |
| 86 | Tej Prakash Pathak v. High Court of Rajasthan[2024] 12 SCR 28 · (2025) 2 SCC 1 | Added 2025 |
Past question papers
Past papers are the best guide to the question pattern, especially for Papers I and II.
Results & marksheets
The marksheets show how each paper was marked.
| Exam | Documents |
|---|---|
| June 2025 | Result Marksheet |
| June 2024 | Result Marksheet |
| June 2023 | Result Marksheet |
| December 2022 | Result Marksheet |
| 2021 | Result Marksheet |
Notices & circulars by exam cycle
Every notice from the SCI page, grouped by the exam it relates to.
December 2026 (re-appear only) 2
June 2025 4
June 2024 16
- Jan 2024Circular (20.01.2024): practical training / mock test for computer-based exam
- Jan 2024Notification: training / mock test on computer-based exam
- Batch-wise lists for training / mock test (03.02.2024)
- Practical training / mock test on computer-based exam
- Mar 2024Notification with application form (last date 15.04.2024)
- May 2024Notice regarding lectures
- May 2024Change in date of Paper I lecture
- 17.05.2024Circular: Dec 2021 attempt not counted towards the five chances
- May 2024Notice regarding admit cards
- June 2024Notice-II regarding admit cards
- June 2024Revised sitting plan
- June 2024Sitting plan — Paper I
- June 2024Sitting plan — Paper II
- June 2024Cancellation of Paper I (10.06.2024); remaining papers in pen & paper mode
- June 2024Notice in substitution of notice dated 10.06.2024
- June 2024Sitting plan — Papers III & IV
June 2023 6
- 24.03.2023Next AOR Examination: 12–15 June 2023
- Apr 2023Notification with application form (last date 06.05.2023)
- May 2023Lectures for candidates, 15–18 May 2023
- May 2023Notice regarding lectures, 15–19 May 2023
- May 2023Admit cards e-mailed; contact AOR branch if not received
- 21.12.2023Circular: registration for training / mock tests for computer-based exam
December 2022 7
2021 12
- 26.03.2021Notification for June 2021 exam
- 08.04.2021Notice regarding applications
- 17.04.2021Notice with application form
- 24.04.2021Last date extended to 01.05.2021
- 12.05.2021Exam postponed; last date extended
- 10.08.2021Corrigendum to Annexure A
- 10.08.2021Revised exam dates
- 07.09.2021Applications extended to 29.10.2021
- 18.11.2021Notice regarding lectures
- 30.11.2021Links for joining lectures
- Dec 2021Admit cards e-mailed
- Dec 2021Sitting arrangement
Frequently asked questions
Is there an AOR Examination in 2026?
Not a regular one. By a notice dated 30.04.2026, the Supreme Court said the AOR Examination would not be held in 2026 given the overall strength of AORs, and that the next exam is likely in 2027. A limited exam will be held on 19, 20, 22 and 23 December 2026, but only for candidates who can re-appear under Regulation 11(i) or 11(ii) based on the June 2025 exam or earlier exams.
Who is eligible to write the AOR Examination?
An advocate with at least four years of standing from enrolment who then completes one year of continuous training under an Advocate-on-Record with at least ten years of standing as an AOR. The Registry must be told within seven days of starting training, and a completion certificate must be filed.
What are the passing marks for the AOR Exam?
At least 50% in each of the four papers and 60% in aggregate.
How many attempts are allowed?
Five. Sitting even one paper counts as an attempt. The December 2021 exam is not counted, as a one-time relaxation (Circular dated 17.05.2024).
What is the fee for the AOR Examination?
₹750, paid online through the Supreme Court's Integrated Online Payment System (Bharatkosh).
Can I ask for re-evaluation?
No. Regulation 12 bars re-evaluation. Representations for any other relief must be made within 30 days of the result.
This guide is compiled by OneCourt from public information on the Supreme Court of India's AOR Examination page. All documents link to the original files hosted by the Supreme Court. It is not an official publication. Always check the latest notification before applying. Last reviewed: 27 September 2026.