The Supreme Court of India has officially announced that the Advocates-on-Record (AOR) Examination will not be conducted in the year 2026. In a notification issued by the Advocates-on-Record Examination Cell, the Court stated that the decision was taken after considering the current “overall strength” of AORs practicing in the Apex Court.
The notification, dated April 30, 2026, was issued under the orders of the Competent Authority. It clarified that while the 2026 session stands cancelled, the examination is expected to resume in the following year.
Official Communication
The notice, signed by the Registrar (J) & Secretary of the Board of Examiners, reads:
“The Competent Authority has been pleased to order that keeping in view the overall strength of the AORs, the Advocates-on-Record Examination shall not be conducted in the year 2026. The schedule and dates of the next examination likely to be held in the year 2027 shall be notified in due course.”
The Advocates-on-Record examination is a rigorous qualifying test for advocates who wish to practice and file appearances before the Supreme Court. Under the Supreme Court Rules, only an Advocate-on-Record is entitled to file any vacancy, petition, or other document before the Court.
The decision to skip a year is likely to impact hundreds of legal practitioners who have been preparing for the mandatory four-paper examination, which covers Practice and Procedure, Drafting, Advocacy and Professional Ethics, and Leading Cases.
The Court has indicated that the next examination cycle is likely to take place in 2027. The specific schedule and dates for the 2027 examination will be notified by the Court’s registry in due course.
