Around 273 candidates will sit for the latest Bombay solicitors exam on Monday – an increase of 40 per cent as against test takers 18 months ago.
In the last exam in April 2012 roughly around 285 candidates appeared – a new record, while inJanuary 2012 that figure was at only 196, with historical pass rates of only between 2 and 7 per cent.
However, despite the increase in numbers, pass rates have stayed steady at around 6 per cent, explained Bombay Incorporated Law Society (BILS) examiner in charge Dawood Mandviwala.
“It [the numbers] is going on increasing… but we want to maintain the standard,” he said, adding: “Even if a person doesn’t pass, but only appears for the exam, he will be better off. The subject is so vast.”
The exams will begin on Monday (14 October), with subjects being examined on alternate weekdays for two weeks.
Becoming a solicitor in Mumbai requires an articled clerkship under a qualified solicitor for three years, and passing the exam set by the BILS by scoring at least 360 out of 600 possible marks in six different subject papers.
Around 850 budding solicitors are currently undertaking clerkships, said Mandviwala.
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