SC Refuses to Entertain Pleas Challenging AOR Exam Cancellation, Asks Lawyers to Submit Representation to CJI
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (May 11) refused to entertain writ petitions which challenged the decision of the Supreme Court Board of Examination to not hold exams for inducting Advocates-on-Record (AOR) in 2026.
A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Justice P.B. Varale observed that the matter cannot be considered on the judicial side and allowed the petitioners to submit representations before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) on the administrative side, reported LiveLaw.
"We are of the view that the ends of justice would be met by permitting the petitioners to share a comprehensive representation to the Chief Justice of India, and once made, we don't have any reason to think the Chief Justice would not consider it sympathetically," said the bench, while disposing of the petitions.
The court directed the petitioners to submit the representation within 10 days.
"We have got the most empathetic Chief Justice, we are confident [that the matter would be considered]," said Justice Kumar commented, while Justice Varale also echoed a similar sentiment, saying, "We are optimistic."
Some of the petitions were filed by lawyers who could not clear the AOR exam but were held to be eligible
Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan told the court that the petitioners had missed the last AOR exam by a few papers but were granted the opportunity to re-attempt those papers in the next exam.
Sankaranarayanan said that the decision to cancel the 2026 AOR exam causes prejudice to them.
Senior advocate Shadan Farasat who appeared for other petitioners, said that that since they missed the last exam by a narrow margin, they have been training for one year. He suggested that the court may control the number of persons who become AORs, but not have the exam itself altogether, reported LiveLaw.
"We will permit you to give a representation; we will not deal with it on the judicial side," said Justice Kumar.
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