Delhi APP vs AIBE vs judiciary exam are three very different things, not alternatives for the same goal. AIBE is a qualifying bar exam that gives a Certificate of Practice to enrol as an advocate. State judiciary exams recruit Civil Judges through each High Court and state public service commission. Delhi APP is a UPSC recruitment, open only to advocates with 3 years of practice, for a Group A Gazetted public prosecutor post. Knowing this difference early saves wasted preparation time.
| Point | Position |
|---|---|
| AIBE purpose | Qualifying exam for Certificate of Practice to enrol as an advocate |
| Judiciary exam purpose | Recruitment of Civil Judges by each state’s High Court / PSC |
| Delhi APP purpose | UPSC recruitment for Assistant Public Prosecutor, Directorate of Prosecution, Delhi |
| AIBE eligibility | Final-year/final-semester LL.B. students without backlog, or law graduates |
| Judiciary eligibility | Fresh law graduates (most states) or practising advocates, varies by state |
| Delhi APP eligibility | Law degree plus at least 3 years of practice as an advocate |
| AIBE exam type | 100 MCQs, open book (bare Act allowed), qualifying only |
| Judiciary exam type | Prelims (objective), Mains (written answers), Interview, varies by state |
| Delhi APP exam type | Objective RT, then 100-mark interview, merit in 75:25 ratio |
AIBE: a qualifying exam, not a ranking exam
The All India Bar Examination tests whether a law graduate has the minimum competence to practise law and leads only to a Certificate of Practice from the Bar Council of India. It does not create government employment, carries no rank or merit list, and candidates only need to cross the qualifying marks. It is open to final-year, final-semester LL.B. students without backlog as well as law graduates. Full details are in our AIBE XXII 2026: date, syllabus, pattern and passing marks guide.
State judiciary exams: a separate recruitment for each state
Judiciary exams, such as the Delhi Judicial Service exam, recruit Civil Judges for a particular state’s subordinate judiciary. Each state conducts its own exam, with its own eligibility, syllabus and pattern, typically Prelims, Mains and an interview. Several states allow fresh law graduates to apply, while some ask for a minimum period of practice. This is judicial service, deciding cases from the bench, which is an entirely different career from prosecution. See our Delhi Judicial Service exam pattern and syllabus guide for that specific recruitment.
Delhi APP: a UPSC prosecution post for experienced advocates
Delhi APP recruitment, run by UPSC under Advertisement No. 11/2026, is open only to candidates with a law degree and at least 3 years of practice as an advocate. It fills 140 Group A Gazetted posts at Level 10 of the 7th CPC pay matrix, for Assistant Public Prosecutors who prosecute criminal cases on behalf of the state in Delhi. The process has an objective Recruitment Test on 9 January 2027 that only shortlists, followed by a 100-mark interview, with final merit in a 75:25 RT to interview ratio. Full details are in our Delhi APP exam date and pattern 2027 and Delhi APP eligibility and age limit guides.
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Which path suits which candidate
- Final-year or recently graduated LL.B. students: AIBE first, since you need the Certificate of Practice before independent practice, and some judiciary exams also accept fresh graduates.
- Candidates who want to decide cases from the bench: state judiciary exams, since this is the only route to becoming a judge at the subordinate level.
- Practising advocates with at least 3 years at the bar who want government service in criminal prosecution: Delhi APP, since it specifically requires that practice experience and leads to a prosecutor’s role, not a judge’s.
Many candidates sit for more than one of these over a career, since the eligibility windows do not overlap in a way that forces an exclusive choice. A fresh graduate can clear AIBE, build 3 years of practice, and later become eligible for a post like Delhi APP.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Delhi APP, AIBE and judiciary exams?
AIBE is a qualifying bar exam for a Certificate of Practice. Judiciary exams recruit Civil Judges through each state’s High Court or PSC. Delhi APP is a UPSC recruitment for a Group A public prosecutor post, open only to advocates with at least 3 years of practice.
Can a fresh law graduate apply for Delhi APP?
No. Delhi APP requires at least 3 years of practice as an advocate, in addition to a law degree recognised for enrolment.
Is clearing AIBE required before applying for Delhi APP?
AIBE and bar enrolment establish that you are a practising advocate, which is part of what Delhi APP eligibility requires alongside the 3-year practice period, but AIBE itself is a separate exam with a separate purpose.
Which exam has a judge’s role: judiciary exam or Delhi APP?
The state judiciary exam leads to a judge’s role (Civil Judge). Delhi APP leads to a public prosecutor’s role, representing the state in criminal cases, not adjudicating them.
Quick quiz
Q1. Which of these exams requires at least 3 years of practice as an advocate?
- AIBE
- Most state judiciary exams for fresh graduates
- Delhi APP
- None of these
Show answer
Answer: C. Delhi APP eligibility requires a law degree plus at least 3 years of practice as an advocate.
Q2. What does clearing the AIBE give a law graduate?
- A judgeship
- A Certificate of Practice
- A prosecutor’s post
- An LL.M. seat
Show answer
Answer: B. AIBE leads to a Certificate of Practice from the Bar Council of India.
Q3. Who recruits for the Delhi APP post?
- The Bar Council of India
- The Delhi High Court
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- The state Public Service Commission
Show answer
Answer: C. UPSC recruits for Delhi APP under Advertisement No. 11/2026.
Sources
- UPSC Advertisement No. 11/2026, Vacancy No. 26091106212 (Assistant Public Prosecutor, Directorate of Prosecution, Govt of NCT of Delhi)
- Bar Council of India, Syllabus and Guidelines for AIBE XXII
- Advocates Act, 1961
This page is for education and general information, not legal advice for a specific case. Law as on 1 November 2026.
Prepare for Delhi APP specifically: Delhi APP Complete Pack, ₹299.