Overview of IB ACIO

    Post Name: Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive.

    Conducting Body: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

    Level of Job: Group C, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial.

    Nature of Work: Intelligence collection, analysis, internal security, handling sensitive operations, coordination with law enforcement.

    Job Location: Across India (transferable job).

Key Dates (Tentative for 2025)

EntityDate
Notification Release18 July 2025
Application Last Date10 August 2025... Read more at: https://www.bankersadda.com/ib-acio-exam-date-2025
Tier I ExamDec 2025 / Jan 2026
Tier II ExamFeb–March 2026
InterviewApril 2026
Final ResultMid 2026

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

    Must be a citizen of India.

Educational Qualification

    Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.

Age Limit

    Minimum: 18 years

    Maximum: 27 years

    Relaxations: SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), PwD (10 years).

Selection Process

The recruitment has three stages:

Tier I – Objective Test (100 Marks, 1 Hour)

    General Awareness (20 Qs)

    Quantitative Aptitude (20 Qs)

    Logical/Analytical Ability (20 Qs)

    English Language (20 Qs)

    General Studies (20 Qs)

Warning Note:

Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer.

Tier II – Descriptive Test (50 Marks, 1 Hour)

    Essay (30 Marks) – Current affairs / Security / Socio-political topics.

    English comprehension & précis writing (20 Marks).

Interview – 100 Marks

    Personality test to assess confidence, intelligence, and suitability for intelligence work.

Salary and Perks

    Pay Scale: Level 7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400)

    Basic Pay: ~₹44,900

    In-hand Salary: ~₹55,000 – ₹65,000 (with allowances)

    Perks: Special security allowances, government accommodation, job stability, career growth.

Syllabus Breakdown

General Awareness

    Current Affairs (National & International)

    Indian Polity, Constitution

    History & Geography of India

    Economics & Schemes

    Security & Intelligence-related developments

Quantitative Aptitude

    Simplification, Ratio, Percentage

    Profit & Loss, SI & CI

    Speed, Time, Distance

    Probability, Permutations, Statistics

Logical Reasoning

    Coding-Decoding

    Puzzles, Blood Relations

    Syllogism, Series

    Seating Arrangement

English

    Grammar, Vocabulary

    Synonyms/Antonyms

    Reading Comprehension

    Cloze Test, Error Detection

Essay & Writing

    Cybersecurity, Terrorism, Social Media & Security

    India’s Foreign Policy, Border Security Issues

    Internal Security Challenges

Preparation Strategy

Phase-wise Plan

    Tier I (3–4 months focus) – Daily practice of reasoning & aptitude, read newspapers for GA.

    Tier II (1–2 months focus) – Write 2–3 essays per week, practice précis writing.

    Interview (final stage) – Work on confidence, body language, and awareness of national security issues.

Daily Routine (Ideal)

    2 hrs Current Affairs & GK

    2 hrs Quant & Reasoning practice

    1 hr English (grammar + reading)

    1 hr Writing practice

    Lucent’s General Knowledge

    Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal

    Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey

    Wren & Martin English Grammar

    The Hindu / Indian Express (editorial section)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

    Ignoring Essay Writing (many fail in Tier II because of poor writing).

    Overemphasis on one section; balance is key.

    Neglecting current affairs & security-related issues.

    Leaving practice for descriptive paper till the end.

How to Apply for IB ACIO Exam

The application process for IB ACIO recruitment is completely online through the official Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) website. Candidates should keep all required documents and details ready before applying.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Visit Official Website

Go to https://www.mha.gov.in Navigate to the “What’s New” or “Vacancy/Notification” section. Click on the IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 notification link.

2

Read Notification Carefully

Check eligibility, important dates, and exam instructions. Download the notification PDF for future reference.

3

Click on “Apply Online”

You’ll be redirected to the online application portal.

4

Registration

Enter basic details: Name, Email, Mobile number, Date of Birth. Create login credentials (Registration ID & Password).

5

Fill Application Form

Enter personal details (address, category, etc.). Provide educational qualifications. Select exam centers (usually 3 preferences).

6

Upload Documents

Recent passport-size photograph (JPEG, size usually 20–50KB). Signature (JPEG, size usually 10–20KB). ID proof details (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, etc.).

7

Pay Application Fee

General / OBC / EWS: ₹450 (Application + Processing Fee) SC / ST / Female: ₹50 (Processing Fee only) Payment Mode: Net Banking / Credit Card / Debit Card / UPI / E-Challan.

8

Final Submission

Review all entered details. Click Submit. Take a printout of application form & fee receipt for future reference.

Final Words

The IB ACIO exam is a golden opportunity for candidates who wish to serve the nation in a prestigious intelligence role. Success requires a balanced preparation strategy—mastering aptitude and reasoning, staying updated with current affairs, and sharpening writing & analytical skills. If you’re disciplined, focused, and motivated, IB ACIO can open doors to an extraordinary career in national security.

Frequently asked questions