Who is an Advocate-on-Record (AOR) in the Supreme Court of India?
The Advocate-on-Record (AOR) system is a unique feature of the Supreme Court of India. An Advocate-on-Record is a lawyer who has qualified under Order IV of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, and is exclusively authorized to file cases, act, and accept responsibility for proceedings before the Supreme Court. Although any advocate may argue a case before the Supreme Court, such appearance must ordinarily be through an AOR, who remains responsible for filing pleadings, procedural compliance, and communication with the Registry.
To become an AOR, an advocate must first complete the prescribed period of legal practice, undergo one year of training under an existing Advocate-on-Record, and thereafter pass the highly competitive AOR Examination conducted by the Supreme Court. The examination tests candidates on Supreme Court practice and procedure, drafting, professional ethics, and leading judgments. Successful candidates must also satisfy other statutory requirements, including maintaining a registered office near the Supreme Court and employing a registered clerk before their names are entered on the AOR rolls.
The role of an AOR extends beyond courtroom advocacy. Every petition, appeal, interlocutory application, affidavit, caveat, or review petition filed before the Supreme Court must ordinarily bear the signature and authority of an Advocate-on-Record. The AOR is personally responsible for ensuring compliance with procedural rules, removal of office objections, payment of court fees, proper service of notices, and maintaining communication between the Court and the litigant. This responsibility distinguishes the AOR from other advocates practicing before the Court.
The AOR examination has long been regarded as one of India’s most demanding professional legal examinations due to its emphasis on procedural expertise rather than substantive law alone. The Supreme Court periodically issues notifications regarding the examination, syllabus, lectures, and results through its official examination cell.
In a significant recent development, the Supreme Court decided not to conduct the Advocates-on-Record Examination in 2026, stating that the existing strength of AORs was adequate. According to the official notification issued by the Court, the next examination is expected to be conducted in 2027, although the detailed schedule will be announced separately. The decision led to legal challenges from certain advocates who had expected another opportunity to qualify in 2026.
The AOR system remains one of the defining features of Supreme Court practice, ensuring that litigation before the country’s highest constitutional court is handled by advocates trained specifically in its unique procedures, filing requirements, and institutional practices. It serves as a quality-control mechanism that supports efficient case management while preserving professional accountability within the Supreme Court’s judicial process.
