Its a a tough exam to pass, they say the passing rates are extremely low, even lower than CA exams. But not many people attempt it.
What's the deal? Is it no longer relevant? Do solicitors get some added recognition? Do newer law firms in Bombay and Delhi prefer solicitors over associates of other law firms? How easy or difficult is to find someone who is willing to let you sign articles for clerkship? Is it of lesser relevance once you complete certain years of PQE?

Related / potentially relevant: https://www.legallyindia.com/convos/topic/164267-bombay-solicitor-exam-and-articleship-worth-the-cost-in-long-run

Think of it as a prelude to full blown work life that far surpasses any internship you can do. You sign your Articles while in law school and work for 3 years. You take 9 months off to give this extraordinarily rigorous exam. Even if you fail - the intense learning stands you in excellent stead. And thereafter, you are a solicitor. You are part of an elite group of advocates which helps quite immensely in the one aspect that is fundamental to the profession - clients, culture and social circles. It's something you do for personal fulfilment more than anything else. Hope this helps.

Very much needed. In fact, its sad that this system of attorneys and the exam in calcutta has been banned. These solicitors, after passing the exam, which is a rigorous exercise, learn alot. It allows them to learn alot and do alot more than other run of the mill AORs atleast in the original side. Their training speaks of their work ethic. Its utterly sad that the system bas been discontinued in calcutta and there are no such exams there. The quality of solicitors has fallen. Added benefit ofc is you become an AoR in SC.

Advocate's Act. They banned the other class of attorneys. That's why. Before, the Cal HC used to conduct the same exam as the BILS conducts. Only reason BILS got away w it was becasue the Bom HC gave the duty of conducting the exam to BILS. So, it was a private exam conducted by a private body. the calcutta ILS atleast could have continued with it.n

Traditionally, solicitors have drafted conveyancing and transaction documents. If you wish to learn how each word in a drafted document matters, solicitor articleship is about the only way to learn. No organisation or law school teaches conveyancing properly, hence you see badly drafted property contracts across India. That's also why Bombay's property transaction documents are considered the gold standard in India. Similar expertise extends to other agreements, but new age firms prefer American style contract drafts in M&A etc is another story for another time.

Also, most solicitor also do litigation apart from transactions. If you want a unique blend of training in litigation and drafting training (particularly in property transactions and litigation), Bombay solicitor training is the best way to go.

Two pillars of BILS solicitor exams are Company Law and Conveyancing. I doubt there is anything out there that tests knowledge of these two aspects in such depth and rigour. No wonder most solicitors are either advising or sitting on the boards of top companies in India. For example, an old school firm's top partner was on the board of Reliance until he passed away.

You will see that Bombay legal culture is very similar to English law culture in everything. It's a par excellence option given Bombay economic primacy and its famed meritocracy across sectors. Note that CAM, SAM and AZB all are Bombay rooted firms and their leaders have had either solicitor or counsel training.

Good luck to everyone.