The Advocate on Record (AOR) examination conducted by the Supreme Court of India is a rigorous test designed to assess an advocate’s expertise in Supreme Court practices and procedures. The exam consists of four descriptive-type papers, each carrying 100 marks and lasting three hours. Below is a detailed syllabus for the AOR exam based on available information:

Syllabus for AOR Exam 2025

The AOR exam is divided into four papers, each focusing on distinct aspects of legal practice before the Supreme Court of India:

Paper I: Practice and Procedure of the Supreme Court

This paper tests candidates’ knowledge of the day-to-day procedures and practices of the Supreme Court. Key topics include:

  • Supreme Court Rules, 2013: Detailed understanding of the rules governing court procedures.
  • Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court:
    • Original jurisdiction (Article 131, original suits).
    • Appellate jurisdiction (Article 132–134, appeals from High Courts).
    • Advisory jurisdiction (Article 143).
    • Extraordinary jurisdiction (Article 136, Special Leave Petitions).
    • Transfer, contempt, review, and curative petitions.
  • Historical Background: Evolution and structure of the Supreme Court.
  • Relevant Statutes:
    • Provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Limitation Act applicable to Supreme Court proceedings.
    • General Principles of the Court Fees Act.
    • Supreme Court (Decrees and Orders) Enforcement Order, 1954.
    • Rules to Regulate Proceedings for Contempt of the Supreme Court, 1975.
    • Public Interest Litigation (PIL) Rules.
  • Key Concepts:
    • Doctrine of merger (Article 136).
    • Language of the court.
    • Application for modification or clarification of court orders.

Paper II: Drafting

This paper evaluates candidates’ ability to draft legal documents with precision and clarity. Topics include:

  • Drafting Skills:
    • Petitions for Special Leave (SLP) under Article 136.
    • Writ petitions under Article 32.
    • Original suits under Article 131.
    • Election disputes (Article 71, disputes related to President and Vice President).
    • Applications for appointment of an arbitrator (Article 11(6)).
    • Statements of cases, decrees, orders, and other legal documents.
  • Practical Application:
    • Drafting pleadings and petitions tailored to specific factual situations.
    • Structuring answers to incorporate legal issues while maintaining brevity.

Paper III: Advocacy and Professional Ethics

This paper focuses on the ethical responsibilities and advocacy skills required of an AOR. Key areas include:

  • Professional Ethics:
    • The Advocates Act, 1961, and cases reported under it, particularly disciplinary proceedings.
    • Bar Council of India Rules, 2022 (including rules on foreign lawyers/law firms).
    • Advocates (Amendment) Act, 2023.
    • Conduct regarding sub-judice matters (e.g., giving opinionated interviews).
  • Advocacy in Adversarial vs. Inquisitorial Systems:
    • Role of advocates in adversarial systems.
    • Balancing duty towards clients and the court.
  • Contempt of Court:
    • Cases involving contempt by advocates.
  • Latest Legal Developments:
    • Updates affecting advocates’ practice in India.
  • Public Interest and Ethical Limits:
    • Articles on professional ethics, such as limits on advocacy in public interest cases and the authority of adjudication.

Paper IV: Leading Cases

This paper tests candidates’ knowledge of landmark judgments and their ability to analyze and apply them. Key aspects include:

  • Leading Cases:
    • A list of leading cases is provided by the Supreme Court, categorized under constitutional law, civil law, criminal law, administrative law, etc.
    • Candidates must study headnotes and prepare briefs for these cases.
    • Notable cases often include Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) and ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla (1976), among others notified by the Supreme Court.
  • Study Material:
    • Headnotes of leading cases are provided in the examination hall and must be returned after the exam.
    • Candidates should refer to judgments and commentaries from reliable sources like SCC Online or Supreme Court Reports.
  • Preparation Focus:
    • Understanding the ratio decidendi and obiter dicta of cases.
    • Ability to apply case law to hypothetical scenarios.

Additional Notes on Exam Pattern

  • Exam Mode: Offline, descriptive-type questions.
  • Duration: Each paper is three hours long.
  • Passing Criteria: Candidates must secure 50% in each paper and a combined aggregate of 60% across all papers to pass.
  • Attempts: Candidates are allowed up to five attempts to clear the exam. Each appearance in any paper counts as an attempt.
  • Study Materials:
    • Supreme Court Rules, 2013, and Bare Acts (e.g., CPC, CrPC, Advocates Act).
    • Video lectures provided by the Supreme Court on YouTube.
    • Notes and compilations by senior advocates (e.g., Jay Savla, V. Mohna, F.S. Nariman).
    • BR Agarwala’s Supreme Court Practice and Procedure.
    • Previous years’ question papers for practice.
  • Preparation Tips:
    • Analyze past 10 years’ question papers to understand expectations.
    • Practice answer writing to improve time management and structuring.
    • Focus on drafting skills and brevity in answers.
    • Regularly revise leading cases and stay updated on legal developments.

Eligibility for the AOR Exam

To appear for the AOR exam, candidates must:

  • Be enrolled with a State Bar Council.
  • Have at least four years of practice as an advocate.
  • Complete one year of training under a registered AOR.
  • Maintain an office within a 16-km radius of the Supreme Court in Delhi and employ a registered clerk upon passing.

Sources for Preparation

  • Official Resources: Supreme Court website (www.sci.gov.in) for notifications, application forms, and video lectures.
    • Books: BR Agarwala’s Supreme Court Practice and Procedure, EBC Bare Acts.
    • Judgments: SCC Online for full-text leading cases.

      For further details, candidates can refer to the Supreme Court’s official website.

      This syllabus and preparation guidance should provide a comprehensive roadmap for aspiring AORs. Let me know if you need specific resources or tips for any paper!