In India, the term ‘barrister’ refers to legal professionals who have earned the qualification of being called to the Bar in England and Wales typically from one of the four Inns of Court and then registered to practice in India under the Advocates Act of 1961. Although the profession of advocate is the primary legal category in India, individuals with the historic title of ‘barrister’ continue to be recognized. The question ‘How Many Barristers in India?’ is interesting because official data on advocates numbers in India exceeds one million, but the number of lawyers who hold the title of barrister is far smaller.
Overview of the Legal Profession in India
Advocates vs Barristers
Under the Advocates Act of 1961, any legal graduate who qualifies and enrolls with the Bar Council is recognized as an advocate and can practice in Indian courts.
Total Advocates in India
India has one of the largest legal professions in the world. According to reports, there are more than 1.4 million enrolled advocates across the country as of recent years.
How Many Barristers in India?
While advocates are abundant, the number of lawyers formally titled as barristers those trained and called in the UK is very limited. One dataset estimates that as of July 2025, there were only 185 individuals in India described as ‘barristers’.
State-Level Distribution
- Uttar Pradesh leads with approximately 28 barristers (about 15.1% of all in India).
- Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra follow with around 20 and 18 respectively.
- West Bengal has about 11, Punjab and Haryana each around 8, and Karnataka and Gujarat have fewer than 10 each.
Examples of Notable Barristers
Prominent individuals such as Mithan Jamshed Lam, the first Indian woman barrister, called from Lincoln’s Inn in 1919, set early examples for such legal recognition. Monomohun Ghose was another notable practitioner one of the earliest Indians called to the English Bar and practicing in Calcutta in the 19th century.
Why the Number Is So Small
Historical and Practical Context
Historically, becoming a barrister involved travel to the UK to study law at an Inn of Court a significant investment in time and resources. Today, most law graduates choose to practice as advocates in India directly. Since the title barrister offers no additional legal privileges in India, the majority continue as advocates instead of pursuing UK qualification.
Prestige Rather Than Legal Necessity
While being a barrister carries prestige due to rigorous training and historical significance, Indian courts treat all advocates equally. Barristers must still register and pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) to practice in Indian courts, just like any other advocate, thus blurring much of the practical distinction.
Implications of Being a Barrister in India
Professional Image and Opportunities
Lawyers holding the title of barrister often leverage it in international contracts, arbitration, and legal consultancy where foreign qualification may be advantageous. This can offer them a niche positioning within the market despite the small numbers.
Regulation and Ethics
Regardless of whether someone is an advocate or a barrister, they are regulated by their State Bar Council and the apex Bar Council of India, governed by professional and ethical rules under the Advocates Act, 1961.
Contextual Comparison
Proportion to Total Advocates
With approximately 1.4 million advocates in India and only around 185 lawyers holding the barrister title, barristers represent less than 0.02% of the total legal practitioner base.
International Context
In contrast, common law countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand maintain clearer professional distinctions between barristers and solicitors. India’s fusion of roles under one advocate category limits the prevalence and relevance of separate barrister status.
In summary, India hosts a vast legal profession with over a million advocates registered across the country. Within this massive pool, only around 185 lawyers hold the title of barrister professionals trained and called to the Bar in England and Wales. While historically significant, the barrister title offers little legal differentiation in Indian courts. Instead, it serves more as a mark of prestige or international professional positioning. For most legal practitioners today, enrolling directly as an advocate in India remains the standard path, making barristers a rare and notable minority in India’s legal landscape.
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