Why qualifying examination is needed now
I am very happy that Bar Council of India decided to conduct All India Qualifying Examination for law graduates. There may be uproar, but reforms cannot wait. Dignity of legal profession has suffered. This exam will not instantly ensure standards, but it is a beginning. BCI is conducting it on its own with Rain Maker assistance, not HRD Ministry. Question paper preparation by eminent persons is key. If done like another LLB exam in many colleges, it will fail. If it tests basic required qualities, it will send strong message to students. Earlier proposals were compulsory apprenticeship and qualifying exam. Apprenticeship certificates are easy to get. Exam is better tool to filter.
Role of law colleges and regulation
Dr. Manmohan Singh rightly said we have precious few experts to head law colleges. Quality education in all law colleges is missing. Attendance must be strict, no easy exemption on medical certificates. Private colleges citing poor strength cannot be excuse. If they cannot comply, better to close. Colleges must train through debates and moot courts. These should be video-graphed as regulation. It is not costly. Illogical rules must go. Pass percentage alone should not decide recognition if regulatory compliance is strict. Without fixing law colleges, AIBE will only be a gate, not solution.
Responsibility of senior lawyers
Senior advocates and lawyers in politics like Shri Ram Jethmalani, Shri Kapil Sibal, Shri Arun Jaitley, Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi have influence. If they come together with intention, reforms can happen fast. We see them active in cricket, politics, IPL. Legal profession deserves same energy. People are losing faith in system. This is bigger than politics. Senior lawyers have responsibility to fraternity and society. Their involvement will restore dignity. Government under Dr. Singh and ministers like Shri Veerappa Moily and Shri Kapil Sibal is supporting. Time is right.
What aibe must achieve
AIBE must ensure only graduates with basic knowledge enter profession. It is first step, not end. After December exam, question banks will come. BCI must guard object and not allow coaching to dilute it. Exam must test application, ethics, drafting, not rote. This will improve entry level. But full reform needs prosecution, investigation, court practice, bar associations, computerization and judicial reforms. That is bigger and complicated. It will come with overall development and political will.
Conclusion
All india qualifying examination bar council of india 2010 is welcome move. It will bring lost dignity back if done sincerely. But parallel work on law colleges, attendance, moots, and senior lawyer leadership is must. If noted lawyers unite, we can see results within days. Legal education and profession need urgent correction. AIBE is first brick.
