Efforts of BCI member Dr Amit Vaid credited; major relief for law aspirants and advocates in five districts
Munish Sood
MANDI: In a move hailed as a landmark step for the state’s legal fraternity, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has approved Hamirpur as the second examination centre for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) in Himachal Pradesh. Until now, Shimla was the only centre available, forcing hundreds of aspirants to travel long distances to sit for the mandatory test.
The decision is expected to benefit candidates from Chamba, Kangra, Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts, who will now have easier access to the exam, which is compulsory for obtaining a licence to practice law in India.
Relief for law graduates across the state
The introduction of a new centre has been welcomed as a much-needed reform in a hilly state where connectivity and long travel hours often pose serious challenges. For aspirants from Chamba or Una, reaching Shimla involved an arduous journey of over 10 to 12 hours.
“The Hamirpur centre will save time, money and effort for candidates. It brings fairness and accessibility to the process,” remarked a young law graduate from Kangra preparing for this year’s AIBE.
Credit to Dr Amit Vaid’s Efforts
The establishment of the new exam centre is being credited to the tireless efforts of Dr Amit Vaid, Member, Bar Council of India (BCI). Dr Vaid has been actively working on multiple fronts to improve conditions for lawyers in Himachal Pradesh.
Senior Advocate Lavneesh Kanwar, Chairman of the Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh, along with Vice-Chairman Rohit Thakur and other council members publicly acknowledged Dr Vaid’s contribution. “The addition of Hamirpur as an exam centre is a reflection of Dr. Vaid’s vision and his constant push for the welfare of Himachali advocates,” said Kanwar.
This is not the first time Dr Vaid has taken concrete steps for the legal community. Earlier this year, he mobilized Rs 20 lakh in financial assistance for advocates in Thunag and for the reconstruction of the Thunag Bar Room.
Following the devastating floods and landslides that struck Himachal in August, Dr Vaid also coordinated emergency relief measures. He arranged ₹4 lakh worth of ration supplies as immediate aid, followed by the distribution of ₹16 lakh in relief cheques in September to advocates affected in Thunag.
Alongside financial relief, efforts were made to modernize legal infrastructure. The newly upgraded Thunag Bar Room has been equipped with computers, printers, an e-library, furniture, water coolers, and LED screens—bringing digital and physical resources closer to local lawyers.
The facility was formally dedicated to the Thunag Bar by Chairman Lavneesh Kanwar, in the presence of Senior Advocate Ajay Kochhar, BCI Member Dr. Amit Vaid, IN Mehta, Rakesh Acharya (Vice-Chairman, Executive Committee, HP Bar Council), and Nand Lal Thakur.
Strengthening legal infrastructure in Himachal
The latest decision to create a second AIBE centre is part of a broader effort to strengthen the state’s legal ecosystem. For long, the legal profession in Himachal has faced challenges of remoteness, lack of infrastructure, and difficulties in accessing welfare schemes.
By ensuring both professional accessibility (through the Hamirpur exam centre) and welfare measures (such as financial aid and digital upgrades), Dr. Vaid’s initiatives are seen as bridging a critical gap for young advocates and practicing lawyers alike.
Legal observers believe such steps will also encourage more youth from the hill districts to take up law as a profession without being deterred by logistical hurdles.
