Sample Papers
Previous Year Papers
Syllabus
EXAM SYLLABUS
The IB ACIO exam has two stages: Tier 1 (Prelims) and Tier 2 (Mains), followed by an Interview. Tier 1 is objective and tests general awareness, quantitative aptitude, logical/analytical ability, and English language. Tier 2 is descriptive, focusing on essay writing, precis, comprehension, and grammar. The interview assesses personality, intelligence, communication skills, and awareness of current affairs. Tier 1 has negative marking, and Tier 2 evaluates writing and analytical ability.
The exam is conducted in two stages: Tier 1 (Preliminary) and Tier 2 (Mains), followed by an Interview.
Tier 1 – Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)
Total Marks: 100
Duration: 1 hour
Sections:
General Awareness
Current affairs (national and international)
Important events in politics, economy, sports, science and technology
Awards and honors, books and authors, important dates
Organizations and institutions
Quantitative Aptitude
Simplification, number series
Ratio and proportion, percentages
Average, profit and loss, simple & compound interest
Time, speed, distance, time & work
Logical/Analytical Ability
Coding-decoding
Blood relations
Direction sense
Series completion
Analogies and odd one out
Statements and conclusions
English Language
Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms
Grammar: error spotting, sentence correction
Comprehension passages
Cloze test
Note: Tier 1 is mainly qualifying to appear in Tier 2.
IB ACIO EXAMINATION GENERAL AWARENESS DETAILED SYLLABUS
Given below is the detailed syllabus of General Awareness with examples and difficulty level of the questions asked in IB ACIO Examination :-
Topics | Topics Description | Topic Example | Topic Difficulty Level |
Current | Questions on National and International Events being held | In how many phases the general Elections 2019 was conducted in India? | Based on Past 4-5 Months |
Important | Important dates are frequently asked in competitive exams/ Latest important events that are happening in the nation. | Antiterrorism Day is celebrated on which day? | Based on General Awareness/4-5 months |
Headquarters of Important | Questions are generally based on famous and important HQ of varoius qrganizations. | Where is the head quater of UNICEF located ? | Class 10th level |
Government Policies | Questions are generally based on the famous policies that had recently been launched or yet to be launched. | Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) is associated with which sector? | Based on Past 4-5 Months |
Indian Polity | Questions Based on Supreme Court, Election of President & his functions,Important constitution bodies like CAG, Fundamental Duties,Governor & his functions,State legislature,Major Constitutional amendments,National political parties & their symbols etc | The President of India referred the Ayodhya issue to the Supreme Court under which Article? | Class 10th level |
Science & Technology | Questions based on Biology, Chemistry, Computer, Discoveries & Inventions, Other Information, Physics, Space, Defence in India | What latest technology is used by the Apple in their Iphone 11? | Class 10th level |
Static GK | Questions Based on Honours & Awards, Important Dates, National & International Organizations, Sports, Art & Culture, Books & Authors etc. | Who is the following is the Chief Scientist in WHO? | Based on General Awareness |
IB ACIO EXAMINATION QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE DETAILED SYLLABUS
Given below is the detailed syllabus of Quantitative Aptitude with examples and difficulty level of the questions asked in IB ACIO Examination:-
Topics | Topics Description | Topic Example |
Average | Questions based on Operations regarding the average of the given data set. | The average height of 10 students of a class is 1.6 m If the height of teacher and principal is included. The average becomes 1.7m. Find the sum of the height of teacher and principal? |
Compound & Simple | < |
EXAM SYLLABUS
The IB ACIO exam has two stages: Tier 1 (Prelims) and Tier 2 (Mains), followed by an Interview. Tier 1 is objective and tests general awareness, quantitative aptitude, logical/analytical ability, and English language. Tier 2 is descriptive, focusing on essay writing, precis, comprehension, and grammar. The interview assesses personality, intelligence, communication skills, and awareness of current affairs. Tier 1 has negative marking, and Tier 2 evaluates writing and analytical ability.
The exam is conducted in two stages: Tier 1 (Preliminary) and Tier 2 (Mains), followed by an Interview.
Tier 1 – Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)
Total Marks: 100
Duration: 1 hour
Sections:
General Awareness
Current affairs (national and international)
Important events in politics, economy, sports, science and technology
Awards and honors, books and authors, important dates
Organizations and institutions
Quantitative Aptitude
Simplification, number series
Ratio and proportion, percentages
Average, profit and loss, simple & compound interest
Time, speed, distance, time & work
Logical/Analytical Ability
Coding-decoding
Blood relations
Direction sense
Series completion
Analogies and odd one out
Statements and conclusions
English Language
Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms
Grammar: error spotting, sentence correction
Comprehension passages
Cloze test
Note: Tier 1 is mainly qualifying to appear in Tier 2.
IB ACIO EXAMINATION GENERAL AWARENESS DETAILED SYLLABUS
Given below is the detailed syllabus of General Awareness with examples and difficulty level of the questions asked in IB ACIO Examination :-
Topics | Topics Description | Topic Example | Topic Difficulty Level |
Current | Questions on National and International Events being held | In how many phases the general Elections 2019 was conducted in India? | Based on Past 4-5 Months |
Important | Important dates are frequently asked in competitive exams/ Latest important events that are happening in the nation. | Antiterrorism Day is celebrated on which day? | Based on General Awareness/4-5 months |
Headquarters of Important | Questions are generally based on famous and important HQ of varoius qrganizations. | Where is the head quater of UNICEF located ? | Class 10th level |
Government Policies | Questions are generally based on the famous policies that had recently been launched or yet to be launched. | Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) is associated with which sector? | Based on Past 4-5 Months |
Indian Polity | Questions Based on Supreme Court, Election of President & his functions,Important constitution bodies like CAG, Fundamental Duties,Governor & his functions,State legislature,Major Constitutional amendments,National political parties & their symbols etc | The President of India referred the Ayodhya issue to the Supreme Court under which Article? | Class 10th level |
Science & Technology | Questions based on Biology, Chemistry, Computer, Discoveries & Inventions, Other Information, Physics, Space, Defence in India | What latest technology is used by the Apple in their Iphone 11? | Class 10th level |
Static GK | Questions Based on Honours & Awards, Important Dates, National & International Organizations, Sports, Art & Culture, Books & Authors etc. | Who is the following is the Chief Scientist in WHO? | Based on General Awareness |
IB ACIO EXAMINATION QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE DETAILED SYLLABUS
Given below is the detailed syllabus of Quantitative Aptitude with examples and difficulty level of the questions asked in IB ACIO Examination:-
Topics | Topics Description | Topic Example |
Average | Questions based on Operations regarding the average of the given data set. | The average height of 10 students of a class is 1.6 m If the height of teacher and principal is included. The average becomes 1.7m. Find the sum of the height of teacher and principal? |
Compound & Simple | Calculating Simple & Compound Interest on a given amount for a specific time at given rate. | A sum of Rs. 17,000, deposited at compound interest becomes double after 7 years. What was the interest rate? |
LCM & | Questions related to operations Least Common Multiple and Highest Common Factor | HCF and LCM of the two numbers are 12 and 85 respectively. If one number is 75 find the other number. |
Mixture & Alligation | Questions based on mixing up to different materials in a specific proportion. | In what ratio must 7% concentrated acid be mixed with 40% concentrated acid to get 35% concentrated acid? |
Partnership | Questions regarding the distribution of profit and capital contribution among different partners. | Shyam and Vinay invested an amount of Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 35,000 respectively. At the end of five year they got a total dividend of Rs. 26,000. What is Vinay's share in the dividend? |
Percentages | Calculating percentage and performing an operation based on it | A man spends 85% of his income. His income increases by 20% and his expenditure also increase by 15%. The percentage of increase in his savings is ? |
Problem on Ages | Questions regarding the ages of a person. | If the total ages of Deepak and Sachin is 12 years more than the total age of Sham and Amit. Sachin is how many years younger than Amit? |
Profit loss & Discount | Calculating Profit or Loss and discount received or given by selling or purchasing articles at a given price. | A trader had 32 quintals of wheat. He sold a part of it at 13% profit and the rest at 23% profit so that he made a total profit of 27%. How much wheat did he sell at 23% profit? |
Ratio Proportion | Questions related to finding ratio or proportion among the numbers & operations based on it. | If A : B = 2 : 6, B : C = 3 : 4 and C : D = 4 : 5 then value of A : B : C : D is? |
Speed, time, and | Calculation time, speed or distance covered by a moving object | Arvind and Akash have to travel from Delhi to Jaipur in their respective cars. Amit is driving at 60 kmph while Aman is driving at 100 kmph. Find the Time taken by Aman to reach Jaipur if Amit takes 8 hrs. |
Time work & wages | Questions related to work done by persons and time taken by them. | X can do a piece of work in 24 days. When he had worked for 4 days, Y joined him. If complete work was finished in 16 days, Y can alone finish that work in how many days? |
Geometry | Mathematical operation based on Geometrical concepts | The longest side of a triangle is 10 cm and another side is 10 cm. If area of the triangle is 60 cm2, then what is the length (in cm) of its third side? |
Mensuration | Finding area, volume, perimeter surface area etc | An equilateral triangle of side 7cm has its corners cut off to form a regular hexagon. Area (in cm2) of this regular hexagon will be ? |
Data Interpretation | Questions based on data given in the form of Pie chart, Graph, Venn diagram etc. | The marks obtained by F in Geography are what percent of the marks obtained by C in Hindi? |
Trigonometry | Mathematical operation based on Trigonometrical concepts | If cos A = – (1 / 2) and 0 < A <3, find the value of 4tan2A –3cosec2 A |
Permutation and Combination | Mathematical question on rules of permutation and combination | The number of 6 digit numbersthat can be formed usingthe digit 0,1,2,5,7,and 9 which are divisible by 11and no digit 9 is repeated. |
Heights and Distances | Questions based on finding hieght and distance using trigonometrical concepts. | Two poles of heights 8 m and 11 m stand vertically upright on a plane ground. If the distance between their feet is 12 m, what is the distance between their tops? |
Algebra | Mathematical operation-based basic Algebraic Expressions. | If xy = 65 and x2+y2=123, then what will be the value of (x - y)? |
IB ACIO EXAMINATION NUMERICAL /ANALYTICAL/LOGICAL ABILITY & REASONING DETAILED SYLLABUS
Given below is the detailed syllabus of Numerical/Analytical/ Ability & Reasoning with examples and difficulty level of the questions asked in IB ACIO Examination:-
Topics | Topics Description | Topic Example |
Analogy | Identifying the relationship between the given words to complete the sequence | Cattle : Fodder :: Fish : ? |
Alphabet Test | Questions based on finding the place of an alphabet or a word based on the different types of arrangement. | Choose one word which can be formed from the letters of the given word. |
Arithmetic Reasoning | Questions based on solving problems using mathematical operations. | By interchanging which two signs the equation will be correct? |
Blood Relation | Questions based on Blood Relations and Family | Pointing to a man in a photograph, Aarohi said, “His mother’s only daughter is my mother.” How is Aarohi related to that man? |
Classification | Choosing the option which does not belong to the group. | Select the one which is different from the other three responses. |
Coding decoding | Identifying the pattern used for coding of a given data set and using the same for performing specific operation. | In a certain code, GOAL is written as JRDO. How is PLAN written in that code? |
Distance direction test | Questions are based on Direction Sense | Akshat walked 30 metres towards East, took a right turn and walked 40 metres. Then he took a left turn and walked 30 metres. In which direction is he now from the starting point? |
Syllogism | Questions require thinking for arriving at a specific conclusion by examining other premises or ideas | Statements: |
Direction and distance | Question based on direction and distance caluction | Rajnikanth left his home foe office in car. He drove 15 km straight towards North and then turned Eastwards and covered 8 km. He, then turned to left and covered 1 km. He again turned left and drove for 20 km and reached office. How far and in what direction in his office from the home? |
Inequalities | Question based on inequalities rule | 3x < x ? 5 ? 6x + 24? |
Completion of pattern | Finding the missing number from the given figure to complete the pattern |
|
Figure formation & Analysis | Questions based on Pattern Arrangement of figures | find out which of the answer figures can be formed from the pieces given in the problem figure. |
IB ACIO EXAMINATION ENGLISH LANGUAGE DETAILED SYLLABUS
Given below is the detailed syllabus of English Language with examples and difficulty level of the questions asked in IB ACIO Examination :-
Topics | Topics Description | Topic Example |
Fill in the blanks | Filling the blanks with the necessary word according to the sentence | The move now is to fast- track the price _______,so as to better allocate_______resources.
|
Sentence Correction | Improving the sentence by correcting the mistake | The subsidiary banks of the State bank of India were established by different special statues. |
Error Spotting | Spotting the error in the sentence | It is a common misconception (A)/ that every policeman badly behaves (B)/ with the citizens. (C)/ No error |
Active Passive | Questions based on sentences Active/ passive voice of speech | Change the sentence into Passive voice- |
Para jumble | Rearranging the sentences in a logical order such that they make sense. | Read the following group of sentences. The 1st and the last sentences are numbered 1 and 6, the rest are numbered P,Q,R,S. Arrange these four sentences in proper order to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. |
One-word substitution | Using of one word in place of a wordy phrase in order to make the sentence structure clearer | In questions given below, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/ sentence. |
Idioms & Phrases | Questions based on Idioms & Phrases used in English Langauge | In the following questions four alternatives are given for idioms/phrases in now. Choose the one that best expresses the meaning of the given idiom/phrase. |
Spelling Errors | Correcting spelling Errors in a given sentence | In the following question, four words are given out of which one word is correctly spelt. Select the correctly spelt word. |
Antonym | Words having a meaning Opposite to the given word | In the following questions, out of the four alternatives, choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the given word and click the button corresponding to it. |
Synonym | Words having a meaning Similar to the given word | Out of the four alternatives, choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word. |
Cloze test | Filling Appropriate word in each of the blank in the given paragraph | In a way, village people education is an educational movement through the medium (1)______ village schools. In the beginning, the (2)______ |
Note :- The above examples to various topics are for illustrative purpose only for all the tables.
Format
EXAM PATTERN
The IB ACIO (Assistant Central Intelligence Officer) Grade-II/Executive Tier I exam for 2026 follows the standard pattern established in recent cycles (including 2025 recruitment), as no major changes have been indicated in available updates. The exam is conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Key Highlights of IB ACIO Tier I Exam
Mode: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT), objective-type (Multiple Choice Questions - MCQs).
Total Questions: 100
Total Marks: 100 (1 mark per question)
Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)
Negative Marking: ¼ mark (0.25) deducted for each wrong answer
Sections: 5 sections, each with exactly 20 questions (20 marks). No sectional time limits; composite paper.
Qualifying Nature: Tier I is qualifying for Tier II. Cutoffs vary by category (typically moderate difficulty, with good attempts around 70-80+ for competitive scores).
Language: Bilingual (English & Hindi, except English section).
The section-wise distribution of the number of questions and marks are indicated below :-
Test Mode | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
Objective Type Online Computer Based Test | General Awareness | 20 Q | 20 x 1 = 20 Marks | 60 Minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude | 20 Q | 20 x 1 = 20 Marks | ||
Numerical/Analytical/Logical ability & Reasoning | 20 Q | 20 x 1 = 20 Marks | ||
English Language | 20 Q | 20 x 1 = 20 Marks | ||
General Studies | 20 Q | 20 x 1 = 20 Marks | ||
Total | 100 Q | 100 Marks |
Additional Notes
Difficulty Level: Overall Moderate. Current Affairs & General Studies often decide cutoffs (focus on recent events). Reasoning and Quant are calculative but straightforward. English is basic to intermediate.
Marking & Normalisation: +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted. Scores may be normalized if conducted in multiple shifts.
Selection Process Overview (for context):
Tier I: Qualifying (objective, 100 marks).
Tier II: Descriptive (50 marks, 1 hour) – Essay (20), English Comprehension & Précis (30).
Tier III: Personal Interview (100 marks).
Final merit based on Tier I + Tier II + Interview.
EXAM PATTERN
The IB ACIO (Assistant Central Intelligence Officer) Grade-II/Executive Tier I exam for 2026 follows the standard pattern established in recent cycles (including 2025 recruitment), as no major changes have been indicated in available updates. The exam is conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Key Highlights of IB ACIO Tier I Exam
Mode: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT), objective-type (Multiple Choice Questions - MCQs).
Total Questions: 100
Total Marks: 100 (1 mark per question)
Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)
Negative Marking: ¼ mark (0.25) deducted for each wrong answer
Sections: 5 sections, each with exactly 20 questions (20 marks). No sectional time limits; composite paper.
Qualifying Nature: Tier I is qualifying for Tier II. Cutoffs vary by category (typically moderate difficulty, with good attempts around 70-80+ for competitive scores).
Language: Bilingual (English & Hindi, except English section).
The section-wise distribution of the number of questions and marks are indicated below :-
Test Mode | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
Objective Type Online Computer Based Test | General Awareness | 20 Q | 20 x 1 = 20 Marks | 60 Minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude | 20 Q | 20 x 1 = 20 Marks | ||
Numerical/Analytical/Logical ability & Reasoning | 20 Q | 20 x 1 = 20 Marks | ||
English Language | 20 Q | 20 x 1 = 20 Marks | ||
General Studies | 20 Q | 20 x 1 = 20 Marks | ||
Total | 100 Q | 100 Marks |
Additional Notes
Difficulty Level: Overall Moderate. Current Affairs & General Studies often decide cutoffs (focus on recent events). Reasoning and Quant are calculative but straightforward. English is basic to intermediate.
Marking & Normalisation: +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted. Scores may be normalized if conducted in multiple shifts.
Selection Process Overview (for context):
Tier I: Qualifying (objective, 100 marks).
Tier II: Descriptive (50 marks, 1 hour) – Essay (20), English Comprehension & Précis (30).
Tier III: Personal Interview (100 marks).
Final merit based on Tier I + Tier II + Interview.
Eligibility
ELIGIBILIY CRITERIA
Candidates willing to apply for IB ACIO Examination are required to fulfill certain conditions to be eligible for it. The candidate who does not satisfy the Eligibility criteria like Age, Minimum educational qualification, etc., their candidature shall be rejected by the authorities. The criteria for eligibility IB ACIO are decided by the conduction body itself.
The candidate’s eligibility for IB ACIO Examination is based on the fulfillment of the following conditions:-
1. Nationality
2. Age Limit & Relaxations
3. Educational Qualifications
4. Medical Standards
Nationality
Only Indian Candidates are eligible to apply for IB ACIO Examination.
Age Limit
The minimum age limit prescribed for the post of IB ACIO is 18 Years and maximum of 27 Years. Age relaxation is applicable as per the various categories:-
Age Relaxation
Category | Age Relaxation |
SC/ST | 5 Years |
OBC | 3 Years |
Departmental Candidates | Upto 40 years of age who have rendered 3 years of regular and continuous service |
Widows, Divorced women and Women judicially separated from their husbands and not remarried. | 35 years for General Candidates and Up to 40 years for SC/ST |
Ex-Servicemen as well as for candidates who were domiciled in J&K from Jan 01, 1980 to 2 Dec 31, 1989 as well as the children & dependents of victims of communal riots of 2002 in Gujarat | As per the Govt. instructions |
Meritorious Sports persons | Maximum - 5 years |
Education Qualification
In order to be eligible for IB ACIO following are the details :
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS | |
Essential Qualifications | Graduation or equivalent from a recognized University |
Desirable Qualifications | Knowledge of Computers. |
Medical Standareds
1. For the post mentioned in here, only physically and mentally fit candidates are allowed.
2. The above-mentioned post is not identified suitable for any category of person with disabilities/pwd i.e. HH,OH,VH or Autism. Hence, they are advised not to apply.
3. Candidates need to keep this thing in mind that based on the combined performance in Tier-I, Tier-II and Tier-III/Interview, the candidates would be shortlisted for final selection subject to their Character and Antecedent verification followed by medical examination, etc.
4. Candidates appearing in interviews may be subject to a Psychometric/ Aptitude Test which will be a part of the interview.
ELIGIBILIY CRITERIA
Candidates willing to apply for IB ACIO Examination are required to fulfill certain conditions to be eligible for it. The candidate who does not satisfy the Eligibility criteria like Age, Minimum educational qualification, etc., their candidature shall be rejected by the authorities. The criteria for eligibility IB ACIO are decided by the conduction body itself.
The candidate’s eligibility for IB ACIO Examination is based on the fulfillment of the following conditions:-
1. Nationality
2. Age Limit & Relaxations
3. Educational Qualifications
4. Medical Standards
Nationality
Only Indian Candidates are eligible to apply for IB ACIO Examination.
Age Limit
The minimum age limit prescribed for the post of IB ACIO is 18 Years and maximum of 27 Years. Age relaxation is applicable as per the various categories:-
Age Relaxation
Category | Age Relaxation |
SC/ST | 5 Years |
OBC | 3 Years |
Departmental Candidates | Upto 40 years of age who have rendered 3 years of regular and continuous service |
Widows, Divorced women and Women judicially separated from their husbands and not remarried. | 35 years for General Candidates and Up to 40 years for SC/ST |
Ex-Servicemen as well as for candidates who were domiciled in J&K from Jan 01, 1980 to 2 Dec 31, 1989 as well as the children & dependents of victims of communal riots of 2002 in Gujarat | As per the Govt. instructions |
Meritorious Sports persons | Maximum - 5 years |
Education Qualification
In order to be eligible for IB ACIO following are the details :
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS | |
Essential Qualifications | Graduation or equivalent from a recognized University |
Desirable Qualifications | Knowledge of Computers. |
Medical Standareds
1. For the post mentioned in here, only physically and mentally fit candidates are allowed.
2. The above-mentioned post is not identified suitable for any category of person with disabilities/pwd i.e. HH,OH,VH or Autism. Hence, they are advised not to apply.
3. Candidates need to keep this thing in mind that based on the combined performance in Tier-I, Tier-II and Tier-III/Interview, the candidates would be shortlisted for final selection subject to their Character and Antecedent verification followed by medical examination, etc.
4. Candidates appearing in interviews may be subject to a Psychometric/ Aptitude Test which will be a part of the interview.
Schedule
IMPORTANT DATES
As of 24 Feb 2026, the IB ACIO Tier-2 exam result, conducted on 11 January 2026 has not yet been released on the official website (mha.gov.in). Reliable sources indicate it is expected to be available on last Feb or begning of March 2026. Candidates should regularly check the official MHA portal (or the recruitment login link) using their User ID and Password to download the Result as soon as it goes live. Keep login credentials ready and monitor for the direct download link.
Events | Dates |
Notification Date | 18th July 2025 |
Registration Start Date | 19th July 2025 |
Last date to apply online | 10th August 2025 (11:59 pm) |
Last date to pay the application fee online | 10th August 2025 |
Last Date to pay the application fee offline | 12th August 2025 |
Exam City Intimation Slip | 5th September 2025 |
Admit Card | 3 to 4 days before the exam date |
Exam Date Teir I | 16 September to 18 September 2025 |
Exam Date Teir II | 11 January 2026 |
IMPORTANT DATES
As of 24 Feb 2026, the IB ACIO Tier-2 exam result, conducted on 11 January 2026 has not yet been released on the official website (mha.gov.in). Reliable sources indicate it is expected to be available on last Feb or begning of March 2026. Candidates should regularly check the official MHA portal (or the recruitment login link) using their User ID and Password to download the Result as soon as it goes live. Keep login credentials ready and monitor for the direct download link.
Events | Dates |
Notification Date | 18th July 2025 |
Registration Start Date | 19th July 2025 |
Last date to apply online | 10th August 2025 (11:59 pm) |
Last date to pay the application fee online | 10th August 2025 |
Last Date to pay the application fee offline | 12th August 2025 |
Exam City Intimation Slip | 5th September 2025 |
Admit Card | 3 to 4 days before the exam date |
Exam Date Teir I | 16 September to 18 September 2025 |
Exam Date Teir II | 11 January 2026 |
Analysis
EXAM ANALYSIS
Here’s a detailed exam analysis for the upcoming IB ACIO Tier I Exam 2026, based on the previous year’s (2025) recruitment cycle, to help you understand the pattern, last exam dates, shift details, difficulty level, cut-offs and what to expect for the 2026 exam:
1. Last Relevant Exam & When It Was Conducted
The IB ACIO Tier I Exam 2025 (for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Executive) was held from 16 September to 18 September 2025 across multiple days and exam shifts.
The official City Intimation Slip for the 2025 exam was released earlier so candidates could plan their travel arrangements before the admit card.
2. Exact Exam Date, Time & Shift Details (2025)
For the Tier I exam held on 16–18 September 2025, the schedule was organised in multiple shifts each day to manage a large number of candidates:
3. Exam Pattern – Tier I (2025 & Likely 2026)
Based on the official 2025 exam pattern and long-standing IB ACIO practices:
Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Marks: 100
Sections Covered:
General Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
Logical/Analytical Reasoning
English Language
Current Affairs
The Tier I exam serves as a screening test; qualifiers move to Tier II.
Exact mark distribution or sectional weightage is usually in the official notification – check the 2026 notice when released.
4. Difficulty Level – What 2025 Suggested
Although 2026’s paper is yet to be conducted, we can infer trends from the 2025 Tier I exam analysis and coaching feedback:
Overall Difficulty: Moderate
Reasoning/Logical Ability: Mostly moderate and sometimes easier section.
English Language: Moderate level focusing on comprehension, grammar and vocab.
Quantitative Aptitude: Moderate with basic arithmetic + DI.
General Awareness & Current Affairs: Moderate but broad syllabus with static GK + recent affairs.
Many candidates have reported that Reasoning and English were relatively scoring, while Current Affairs and Maths required careful revision.
5. Cut-Off Trends & Expectations
Cut-offs fluctuate based on paper difficulty, vacancies, number of applicants, and normalisation (if used). Looking at recent cut-off data helps set expectations for 2026:
2024 Cut-Offs (Actual Data on Tier 1 per shift)
Category | Approx. Cut-Off Range |
UR | 47 – 57 |
OBC | 44 – 51 |
EWS | 44 – 50 |
SC | 39 – 48 |
ST | 39 – 45 |
Expected Cut-Off for 2025 Tier I
Multiple coaching sources expected Category-wise cut-offs in a similar band:
UR: 54–56
OBC: 48–51
EWS: 50–52
SC: 45–48
ST: 43–46
Official cut-offs are often released with scorecards or result notifications.
Minimum Qualifying Marks: Typically:
General (UR): 35
OBC/EWS: 34
SC/ST: 33
(These are qualifying marks, not final cut-offs for Tier II selection.)
INTELLIGENCE BUREAU ASSISTANT CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICER (IB ACIO) 2020-21 EXAMINATION ANALYSIS
Analysis has been done on the papers which were recently successfully conducted for IB ACIO 2021 Tier-I conducted from 18 Feb 2021 to 20 Feb 2021.
IB ACIO 2020-21 EXAM ANALYSIS SECTION WISE SHIFT 1
There are a total of 5 sections in the exam. The detailed analysis of each section is given below. The topic-wise distribution of questions is given below.
English Language Section
The overall level of the section of "Easy". The questions in the English section is used to assess a candidate's understanding of the language. The questions in the English section were usually asked from topics like sentence arrangement, fillers, antonyms, synonyms, etc.
The number of questions and topics asked in the English Paper is as follows :
Topic | No. of questions asked |
EXAM ANALYSIS
Here’s a detailed exam analysis for the upcoming IB ACIO Tier I Exam 2026, based on the previous year’s (2025) recruitment cycle, to help you understand the pattern, last exam dates, shift details, difficulty level, cut-offs and what to expect for the 2026 exam:
1. Last Relevant Exam & When It Was Conducted
The IB ACIO Tier I Exam 2025 (for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Executive) was held from 16 September to 18 September 2025 across multiple days and exam shifts.
The official City Intimation Slip for the 2025 exam was released earlier so candidates could plan their travel arrangements before the admit card.
2. Exact Exam Date, Time & Shift Details (2025)
For the Tier I exam held on 16–18 September 2025, the schedule was organised in multiple shifts each day to manage a large number of candidates:
3. Exam Pattern – Tier I (2025 & Likely 2026)
Based on the official 2025 exam pattern and long-standing IB ACIO practices:
Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Marks: 100
Sections Covered:
General Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
Logical/Analytical Reasoning
English Language
Current Affairs
The Tier I exam serves as a screening test; qualifiers move to Tier II.
Exact mark distribution or sectional weightage is usually in the official notification – check the 2026 notice when released.
4. Difficulty Level – What 2025 Suggested
Although 2026’s paper is yet to be conducted, we can infer trends from the 2025 Tier I exam analysis and coaching feedback:
Overall Difficulty: Moderate
Reasoning/Logical Ability: Mostly moderate and sometimes easier section.
English Language: Moderate level focusing on comprehension, grammar and vocab.
Quantitative Aptitude: Moderate with basic arithmetic + DI.
General Awareness & Current Affairs: Moderate but broad syllabus with static GK + recent affairs.
Many candidates have reported that Reasoning and English were relatively scoring, while Current Affairs and Maths required careful revision.
5. Cut-Off Trends & Expectations
Cut-offs fluctuate based on paper difficulty, vacancies, number of applicants, and normalisation (if used). Looking at recent cut-off data helps set expectations for 2026:
2024 Cut-Offs (Actual Data on Tier 1 per shift)
Category | Approx. Cut-Off Range |
UR | 47 – 57 |
OBC | 44 – 51 |
EWS | 44 – 50 |
SC | 39 – 48 |
ST | 39 – 45 |
Expected Cut-Off for 2025 Tier I
Multiple coaching sources expected Category-wise cut-offs in a similar band:
UR: 54–56
OBC: 48–51
EWS: 50–52
SC: 45–48
ST: 43–46
Official cut-offs are often released with scorecards or result notifications.
Minimum Qualifying Marks: Typically:
General (UR): 35
OBC/EWS: 34
SC/ST: 33
(These are qualifying marks, not final cut-offs for Tier II selection.)
INTELLIGENCE BUREAU ASSISTANT CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICER (IB ACIO) 2020-21 EXAMINATION ANALYSIS
Analysis has been done on the papers which were recently successfully conducted for IB ACIO 2021 Tier-I conducted from 18 Feb 2021 to 20 Feb 2021.
IB ACIO 2020-21 EXAM ANALYSIS SECTION WISE SHIFT 1
There are a total of 5 sections in the exam. The detailed analysis of each section is given below. The topic-wise distribution of questions is given below.
English Language Section
The overall level of the section of "Easy". The questions in the English section is used to assess a candidate's understanding of the language. The questions in the English section were usually asked from topics like sentence arrangement, fillers, antonyms, synonyms, etc.
The number of questions and topics asked in the English Paper is as follows :
Topic | No. of questions asked | Level |
Sentence rearrangement | 2 | Easy |
Single Filler | 4 | Easy |
Synonyms and Antonym | 3 | Easy |
Error Detection+ Para jumbles | 2-3 | Easy-Moderate |
Spelling Check | 2-3 | Easy- Moderate |
Active - Passive | 2-3 | Easy |
Idioms and Phrases | 2 | Easy |
Numerical/Analytical/Logical ability & Reasoning Section
Overall, this section was also easy in terms of difficulty level. Questions were asked from Word Analogy, Mirror Image, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, etc.
The number of questions and topics asked in the Numerical/Analytical/Logical ability & Reasoning Section Paper are as follows.
Topic | No. of questions asked | Level |
Blood Relation | 2-3 | Easy |
Word Analogy | 2-3 | Easy- Moderate |
Mirror Image | 1 | Easy- Moderate |
Missing Number | 1 | Easy |
Coding-decoding | 4 | Easy |
Mathematical operations | 1 | Easy |
Syllogism | 1 | Easy |
Seating Arrangement (Row Based) | 1 | Easy |
Miscellaneous | 5-7 | Easy |
General Awareness and General Studies Section
Both the sections were easy to moderate. Currents Affairs questions were asked from the events that took place last year. Some questions asked in the GA and GS sections are given below.
1. Capital of Sunga Dynasty?
2. Founder of Indian National Congress
3. Karakoram range Connects which two parts
4. Where is Keetham lake?
5. The maximum number of satellites launched by which company?
6. An extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar” was written by?
7. 20th parallel line is between which country?
8. Bardoli Satyagraha is related to?
9. Bandipur National Park in which state?
10. Last ruler of Nanda dynasty?
11. Where is Barabati Fort?
12. Sericulture is related to?
13. Sahitya Akademi Award is given in how many languages?
14. Who got PETA award 2021?
15. Who is the author of the book Geetanjali?
16. 1st governor of Meghalaya?
17. Acid Rain happens due to?
Quantitative Aptitude Section
This section was also easy in terms of difficulty level. Questions were asked from Boat & stream, Time & Work, Simple Interest, Data Interpretation, L.C.M, H.C.F etc.
The number of questions and topics asked in the Quantitative Aptitude Section Paper are as follows.
Topic | No. of Questions | Level |
Data interpretation (Bar graph) | 2 | Easy |
Mensuration | 2 | Easy-Moderate |
Percentage | 1 | Easy-Moderate |
Successive Discount | 1 | Easy |
Time & Work | 2 | Easy |
Simple Interest | 1 | Easy |
Profit & Loss | 1 | Easy |
Missing Number Series (Matrix type) | 1 | Easy |
Algebra | 1 | Easy |
Speed & Time | 1 | Easy |
Train | 1 | Easy |
Boat & Stream | 1 | Easy |
Simplification | 1 | Easy |
LCM & HCF | 2-3 | Easy |
Number System | 2-3 | Easy |
Overall Good Attempts and Difficulty Level
The overall difficulty level was between Easy to Moderate. Section wise, good attempts are also mentioned below :
Subject | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
General Awareness | 12-13 | Easy to Moderate |
Quantitative Aptitude | 15-16 | Easy |
Logical/Analytical Ability | 16-17 | Easy |
English Language | 15-16 | Easy |
General Studies | 13-14 | Easy to Moderate |
Good Attempts | 71-76 | Easy to Moderate |
IB ACIO 2020-21 EXAM ANALYSIS SECTION WISE SHIFT 2
General Awareness & General Studies were slightly tougher, while Quantitative, Logical Ability, and English were easier and helped boost good attempts for Shift 2 of the IB ACIO 2020-21 Tier-1 exam. Candidates generally attempted around 75–82 questions with a balanced mix from all sections.
The exam was overall easy to moderate in difficulty in Shift 2.
Section-Wise Analysis
1 -General Awareness
Moderate level questions focusing on current affairs, static GK, history, polity, science, etc.
Most students found this section a bit challenging compared to other sections.
2 -Quantitative Aptitude
Generally easy with arithmetic–based questions such as number system, percentages, TSD, etc.
Scoring for math was good for well-prepared candidates
3 -Logical/Analytical Ability
This section was easy to moderate, with questions on reasoning, puzzles, coding–decoding, syllogisms, and series.
Many candidates considered it one of the scoring sections.
4 -English Language
The English paper was easy with questions on grammar, vocabulary, error detection, and paraphrasing components.
Many candidates managed a good number of attempts here.
5- General Studies
Took a moderate difficulty level, covering static GK and factual questions from varied topics.
Required careful recall and preparation.
Study Tips
STUDY TIPS
Focus on strong basics first. For Tier 1, practice General Awareness, Quant, Reasoning, and English daily, learn shortcuts, and revise current affairs. For Tier 2, write essays, practice precis, and improve reading comprehension. Take regular mock tests, analyze mistakes, and manage your time. Maintain notes for quick revision and stay consistent.
1. Understand the Exam Pattern:
Tier 1 (Prelims / Objective): General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English.
Tier 2 (Mains / Descriptive): Essay writing, precise writing, comprehension.
Interview / Tier 3: Personality, alertness, reasoning.
2. Create a Daily Routine:
Daily 3–4 hours for Tier 1 subjects.
Daily 1–2 hours for Tier 2 preparation.
Weekends can be used for mock tests and revision.
3. Tier 1 Preparation Tips:
General Awareness: Cover current affairs of last 6–12 months, basics of history, geography, polity, and science.
Quantitative & Reasoning: Practice 15–20 questions daily, focus on shortcuts and tricks.
English: Learn 10 new words daily, practice comprehension, and revise grammar basics.
4. Tier 2 Preparation Tips:
Practice essay writing daily (150–200 words).
Summarize short news articles for precise writing practice.
Reading comprehension exercises help improve speed and understanding.
5. Mock Tests & Revision:
Take a full-length mock test every 10–15 days.
Note your mistakes and revise them.
Focus on time management during practice.
6. Health & Routine:
Ensure 6–7 hours of sleep daily.
Do light exercise and maintain a proper diet for an alert mind.
1. Understand the Exam Pattern:
Tier 1 (Prelims / Objective): General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English.
Tier 2 (Mains / Descriptive): Essay writing, precise writing, comprehension.
Interview / Tier 3: Personality, alertness, reasoning.
2. Create a Daily Routine:
Daily 3–4 hours for Tier 1 subjects.
Daily 1–2 hours for Tier 2 preparation.
Weekends can be used for mock tests and revision.
3. Tier 1 Preparation Tips:
General Awareness: Cover current affairs of last 6–12 months, basics of history, geography, polity, and science.
Quantitative & Reasoning: Practice 15–20 questions daily, focus on shortcuts and tricks.
English: Learn 10 new words daily, practice comprehension, and revise grammar basics.
4. Tier 2 Preparation Tips:
Practice essay writing daily (150–200 words).
Summarize short news articles for precise writing practice.
Reading comprehension exercises help improve speed and understanding.
5. Mock Tests & Revision:
Take a full-length mock test every 10–15 days.
Note your mistakes and revise them.
Focus on time management during practice.
6. Health & Routine:
Ensure 6–7 hours of sleep daily.
Do light exercise and maintain a proper diet for an alert mind.
STUDY PLANS
1-Month Plan (Quick Preparation / Revision)
Goal: Cover all topics quickly, focus on speed and accuracy, start mocks.
Daily Routine (5–6 hours):
Tier 1:
General Awareness: 1.5 hours (current affairs + basics)
Quant & Reasoning: 1.5 hours (shortcuts + practice)
English: 1 hour (vocabulary + comprehension)
Tier 2:
Essay / Precise Writing: 1 hour (daily practice with current topics)
Weekly Plan:
Day 6: Full-length mock test (Tier 1) + analysis
Day 7: Revision of weak topics
Tips:
Focus on previous year questions
Use short notes for GA
Practice solving questions within time limits
3-Month Plan (Moderate Preparation)
Goal: Build strong basics, practice regularly, improve speed.
Daily Routine (4–5 hours):
Tier 1:
GA: 1 hour (current affairs, static GK)
Quant: 1 hour (daily problem-solving, shortcuts)
Reasoning: 1 hour (logical, puzzles, seating arrangements)
English: 30–45 min (vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar)
Tier 2:
Essay/Precise: 30–45 min daily
Reading comprehension: 15–20 min
Weekly Plan:
1–2 Full-length mock tests (analyze mistakes carefully)
Focus 1 day on weak topics
Revise current affairs weekly
Tips:
Maintain GA notes for revision
Track time per section for speed
Practice writing essays and precis regularly
6-Month Plan (Extended / Thorough Preparation)
Goal: Strong command over all sections, consistent practice, and regular mocks.
Daily Routine (3–4 hours initially, 5–6 closer to exam):
Tier 1:
GA: 1–1.5 hours (current affairs, history, geography, polity, science)
Quant: 1 hour (shortcuts, practice problems, previous year papers)
Reasoning: 45 min–1 hour (daily puzzles + logical reasoning)
English: 30–45 min (vocabulary, comprehension, gramma
...STUDY TIPS
Focus on strong basics first. For Tier 1, practice General Awareness, Quant, Reasoning, and English daily, learn shortcuts, and revise current affairs. For Tier 2, write essays, practice precis, and improve reading comprehension. Take regular mock tests, analyze mistakes, and manage your time. Maintain notes for quick revision and stay consistent.
1. Understand the Exam Pattern:
Tier 1 (Prelims / Objective): General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English.
Tier 2 (Mains / Descriptive): Essay writing, precise writing, comprehension.
Interview / Tier 3: Personality, alertness, reasoning.
2. Create a Daily Routine:
Daily 3–4 hours for Tier 1 subjects.
Daily 1–2 hours for Tier 2 preparation.
Weekends can be used for mock tests and revision.
3. Tier 1 Preparation Tips:
General Awareness: Cover current affairs of last 6–12 months, basics of history, geography, polity, and science.
Quantitative & Reasoning: Practice 15–20 questions daily, focus on shortcuts and tricks.
English: Learn 10 new words daily, practice comprehension, and revise grammar basics.
4. Tier 2 Preparation Tips:
Practice essay writing daily (150–200 words).
Summarize short news articles for precise writing practice.
Reading comprehension exercises help improve speed and understanding.
5. Mock Tests & Revision:
Take a full-length mock test every 10–15 days.
Note your mistakes and revise them.
Focus on time management during practice.
6. Health & Routine:
Ensure 6–7 hours of sleep daily.
Do light exercise and maintain a proper diet for an alert mind.
1. Understand the Exam Pattern:
Tier 1 (Prelims / Objective): General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English.
Tier 2 (Mains / Descriptive): Essay writing, precise writing, comprehension.
Interview / Tier 3: Personality, alertness, reasoning.
2. Create a Daily Routine:
Daily 3–4 hours for Tier 1 subjects.
Daily 1–2 hours for Tier 2 preparation.
Weekends can be used for mock tests and revision.
3. Tier 1 Preparation Tips:
General Awareness: Cover current affairs of last 6–12 months, basics of history, geography, polity, and science.
Quantitative & Reasoning: Practice 15–20 questions daily, focus on shortcuts and tricks.
English: Learn 10 new words daily, practice comprehension, and revise grammar basics.
4. Tier 2 Preparation Tips:
Practice essay writing daily (150–200 words).
Summarize short news articles for precise writing practice.
Reading comprehension exercises help improve speed and understanding.
5. Mock Tests & Revision:
Take a full-length mock test every 10–15 days.
Note your mistakes and revise them.
Focus on time management during practice.
6. Health & Routine:
Ensure 6–7 hours of sleep daily.
Do light exercise and maintain a proper diet for an alert mind.
STUDY PLANS
1-Month Plan (Quick Preparation / Revision)
Goal: Cover all topics quickly, focus on speed and accuracy, start mocks.
Daily Routine (5–6 hours):
Tier 1:
General Awareness: 1.5 hours (current affairs + basics)
Quant & Reasoning: 1.5 hours (shortcuts + practice)
English: 1 hour (vocabulary + comprehension)
Tier 2:
Essay / Precise Writing: 1 hour (daily practice with current topics)
Weekly Plan:
Day 6: Full-length mock test (Tier 1) + analysis
Day 7: Revision of weak topics
Tips:
Focus on previous year questions
Use short notes for GA
Practice solving questions within time limits
3-Month Plan (Moderate Preparation)
Goal: Build strong basics, practice regularly, improve speed.
Daily Routine (4–5 hours):
Tier 1:
GA: 1 hour (current affairs, static GK)
Quant: 1 hour (daily problem-solving, shortcuts)
Reasoning: 1 hour (logical, puzzles, seating arrangements)
English: 30–45 min (vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar)
Tier 2:
Essay/Precise: 30–45 min daily
Reading comprehension: 15–20 min
Weekly Plan:
1–2 Full-length mock tests (analyze mistakes carefully)
Focus 1 day on weak topics
Revise current affairs weekly
Tips:
Maintain GA notes for revision
Track time per section for speed
Practice writing essays and precis regularly
6-Month Plan (Extended / Thorough Preparation)
Goal: Strong command over all sections, consistent practice, and regular mocks.
Daily Routine (3–4 hours initially, 5–6 closer to exam):
Tier 1:
GA: 1–1.5 hours (current affairs, history, geography, polity, science)
Quant: 1 hour (shortcuts, practice problems, previous year papers)
Reasoning: 45 min–1 hour (daily puzzles + logical reasoning)
English: 30–45 min (vocabulary, comprehension, grammar)
Tier 2:
Essay/Precise: 45 min daily
Reading comprehension: 15–20 min
Weekly Plan:
1–2 Mock tests + analysis
1 day for revision of weak sections
Monthly revision of GA + current affairs
Tips:
Keep a notebook for GA and current affairs
Solve previous 5–10 years’ papers
Practice speed + accuracy in Tier 1
Write at least 3–4 essays per week for Tier 2
General info
OVERVIEW
The Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (IB ACIO) Exam 2025-26 is a national-level recruitment test conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to select candidates for the post of ACIO Grade-II/Executive (Group ‘C’) in the Intelligence Bureau. The exam is held as per requirement and not on an annual basis. In this cycle, nearly 6–7 lakh candidates registered, and around 5 lakh appeared for the Tier-1 test.
The selection process continues with the awaiting result of Tier-2 exam, followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates. Stay updated via the official website mha.gov.in for any last-minute changes.
Particulars | Description |
Exam Full Name | The Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (IB ACIO) Exam |
Conducting Body | Ministry of Home Affairs |
Purpose of the Exam | Recruit candidates for the post of ACIO Grade II/Executive Group C in Intelligence Bureau |
Exam Frequency | Typicaaly in a Year |
Exam Level | National Level Exam |
Exam Date | Tier 1 - 16th, 17th, and 18th September 2025 , Tier 2 - 11 January 2026 |
Official Website |
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process for the IB ACIO (Assistant Central Intelligence Officer) Exam 2026 consists of three main stages. First, candidates must appear in a Tier-I (Preliminary) written exam, Candidates who qualify Tier-I are shortlisted for the Tier-II (Main) exam, which includes a higher-level objective paper and an essay/English comprehension paper to evaluate analytical ability and communication skills. Those who clear both written stages are called for the Personality Test/Interview, where their suitability, intelligence, temperament, and overall personality are assessed by a panel.
Final selection is based on combined performance in Tier 2 and Interview; Tier 1 is only qualifying.???????
OVERVIEW
The Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (IB ACIO) Exam 2025-26 is a national-level recruitment test conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to select candidates for the post of ACIO Grade-II/Executive (Group ‘C’) in the Intelligence Bureau. The exam is held as per requirement and not on an annual basis. In this cycle, nearly 6–7 lakh candidates registered, and around 5 lakh appeared for the Tier-1 test.
The selection process continues with the awaiting result of Tier-2 exam, followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates. Stay updated via the official website mha.gov.in for any last-minute changes.
Particulars | Description |
Exam Full Name | The Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (IB ACIO) Exam |
Conducting Body | Ministry of Home Affairs |
Purpose of the Exam | Recruit candidates for the post of ACIO Grade II/Executive Group C in Intelligence Bureau |
Exam Frequency | Typicaaly in a Year |
Exam Level | National Level Exam |
Exam Date | Tier 1 - 16th, 17th, and 18th September 2025 , Tier 2 - 11 January 2026 |
Official Website |
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process for the IB ACIO (Assistant Central Intelligence Officer) Exam 2026 consists of three main stages. First, candidates must appear in a Tier-I (Preliminary) written exam, Candidates who qualify Tier-I are shortlisted for the Tier-II (Main) exam, which includes a higher-level objective paper and an essay/English comprehension paper to evaluate analytical ability and communication skills. Those who clear both written stages are called for the Personality Test/Interview, where their suitability, intelligence, temperament, and overall personality are assessed by a panel.
Final selection is based on combined performance in Tier 2 and Interview; Tier 1 is only qualifying.???????
2026 exam
LATEST UPDATE 2026
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has completed the selection process for the intake of 3,717 Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive posts in 2025. The Tier-I (preliminary) exam was held in mid-September 2025, and the result for Tier-I has been declared with shortlisted candidates moving to the next stage. The Tier-II (descriptive/main) exam was conducted on 11 January 2026 for those who qualified Tier-I. As of now, Tier-II results and official interview dates (Tier-III/personality test) have not yet been released by MHA; generally, interviews are scheduled after Tier-II results are declared and communicated on the official portal mha.gov.in. Candidates are advised to keep checking the official website and notifications for the interview schedule and further instructions.
IMPORTANT DATES
As of 24 Feb. 2026, the IB ACIO 2025-26 recruitment (3717 vacancies) has completed Tier-1 (held 16-18 September 2025; results out on 21 November 2025). The Tier-2 descriptive exam has been conducted on 11 January 2026. Result is awaited. After decleration of result interview will be conducted.
Events | Dates |
Notification Date | 18th July 2025 |
Registration Start Date | 19th July 2025 |
Last date to apply online | 10th August 2025 (11:59 pm) |
Last date to pay the application fee online | 10th August 2025 |
Last Date to pay the application fee offline | 12th August 2025 |
Exam City Intimation Slip | 5th September 2025 |
Admit Card | 3 to 4 days before the exam date |
| Exam Date Tier I | 16 September to 18 September 2025 |
Exam Date Tier II | 11 January 2026 |
VACANCY DETAILS
As per the official advertisement, the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a total of 3717 vacancies for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Executive (ACIO-II/Exe) in the Intelligence Bureau through IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 .
Here’s the category-wise vacancy breakdown for IB ACIO 2025 as per the official advertisement:
Unreserved (UR): 1520
Other Backward Classes (OBC): 1021
Scheduled Caste (SC): 560
Scheduled Tribe (ST): 280
Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 336
Total Vacancies: 3717
SALARY STRUCTURE
The salary of an IB ACIO (Assistant Central Intelligence Officer) Grade-II/Executive selected through the IB ACIO Exam 2026 is based on Level 7 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) pay matrix. The basic pay starts at Rs.44,900 per month and can go up to Rs.1,42,400 with increments and promotions.
Here’s the salary breakdown for IB ACIO Grade-II/Executive as per the official notification:
Pay Level: Level 7 (7th CPC)
Pay Scale: Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400
Grade Pay (Old 6th CPC): Rs. 4,600
Basic Pay (Starting): Rs. 44,900
Allowances:
Dearness Allowance (DA)
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
Transport Allowance (TA)
Special Security Allowances (20% of basic pay)
Gross Salary (approx.): Rs. 55,000 – Rs. 70,000 per month depending on posting city and allowances.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the IB ACIO Exam, candidates must follow an online application process through the official portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) once the recruitment notification is released. The process is expected to be similar to recent years and generally involves these steps:
To apply for IB ACIO, follow these steps:
Visit the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): mha.gov.in or the IB recruitment portal.
Register online by providing basic details and creating a login ID.
Fill the application form with personal, educational, and contact details.
Upload required documents: photograph, signature, and any other certificates as specified.
Pay the application fee online (usually through net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI).
Submit the form and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Applications are only accepted online; no offline submissions are allowed.
APPLICATION FEES
The IB ACIO application fee structure is as follows:
All candidates: Rs. 550 (Recruitment Processing Charges)
Male candidates in General, OBC, and EWS categories: Rs. 650 (Rs. 550 + Rs. 100 Exam Fee)
SC/ST candidates, all female candidates, and eligible ex-servicemen: Rs. 550 (only Recruitment Processing Charges)
Ex-servicemen employed in Central Govt Group 'C' posts: Rs. 650 (Rs. 550 + Rs. 100 Exam Fee)
Payments can be made online via debit/credit card, net banking, UPI, or SBI challan. The application process was open from July 19 to August 10, 2025, with offline fee payments accepted until August 12, 2025.
EXAM CENTERS
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has designated a total of 148 exam centers across India for the IB ACIO examination. Candidates were required to select five preferred cities during the application process. The final allotment of the exam center was based on seat availabili
...LATEST UPDATE 2026
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has completed the selection process for the intake of 3,717 Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive posts in 2025. The Tier-I (preliminary) exam was held in mid-September 2025, and the result for Tier-I has been declared with shortlisted candidates moving to the next stage. The Tier-II (descriptive/main) exam was conducted on 11 January 2026 for those who qualified Tier-I. As of now, Tier-II results and official interview dates (Tier-III/personality test) have not yet been released by MHA; generally, interviews are scheduled after Tier-II results are declared and communicated on the official portal mha.gov.in. Candidates are advised to keep checking the official website and notifications for the interview schedule and further instructions.
IMPORTANT DATES
As of 24 Feb. 2026, the IB ACIO 2025-26 recruitment (3717 vacancies) has completed Tier-1 (held 16-18 September 2025; results out on 21 November 2025). The Tier-2 descriptive exam has been conducted on 11 January 2026. Result is awaited. After decleration of result interview will be conducted.
Events | Dates |
Notification Date | 18th July 2025 |
Registration Start Date | 19th July 2025 |
Last date to apply online | 10th August 2025 (11:59 pm) |
Last date to pay the application fee online | 10th August 2025 |
Last Date to pay the application fee offline | 12th August 2025 |
Exam City Intimation Slip | 5th September 2025 |
Admit Card | 3 to 4 days before the exam date |
| Exam Date Tier I | 16 September to 18 September 2025 |
Exam Date Tier II | 11 January 2026 |
VACANCY DETAILS
As per the official advertisement, the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a total of 3717 vacancies for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Executive (ACIO-II/Exe) in the Intelligence Bureau through IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 .
Here’s the category-wise vacancy breakdown for IB ACIO 2025 as per the official advertisement:
Unreserved (UR): 1520
Other Backward Classes (OBC): 1021
Scheduled Caste (SC): 560
Scheduled Tribe (ST): 280
Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 336
Total Vacancies: 3717
SALARY STRUCTURE
The salary of an IB ACIO (Assistant Central Intelligence Officer) Grade-II/Executive selected through the IB ACIO Exam 2026 is based on Level 7 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) pay matrix. The basic pay starts at Rs.44,900 per month and can go up to Rs.1,42,400 with increments and promotions.
Here’s the salary breakdown for IB ACIO Grade-II/Executive as per the official notification:
Pay Level: Level 7 (7th CPC)
Pay Scale: Rs. 44,900 – Rs. 1,42,400
Grade Pay (Old 6th CPC): Rs. 4,600
Basic Pay (Starting): Rs. 44,900
Allowances:
Dearness Allowance (DA)
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
Transport Allowance (TA)
Special Security Allowances (20% of basic pay)
Gross Salary (approx.): Rs. 55,000 – Rs. 70,000 per month depending on posting city and allowances.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the IB ACIO Exam, candidates must follow an online application process through the official portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) once the recruitment notification is released. The process is expected to be similar to recent years and generally involves these steps:
To apply for IB ACIO, follow these steps:
Visit the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): mha.gov.in or the IB recruitment portal.
Register online by providing basic details and creating a login ID.
Fill the application form with personal, educational, and contact details.
Upload required documents: photograph, signature, and any other certificates as specified.
Pay the application fee online (usually through net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI).
Submit the form and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Applications are only accepted online; no offline submissions are allowed.
APPLICATION FEES
The IB ACIO application fee structure is as follows:
All candidates: Rs. 550 (Recruitment Processing Charges)
Male candidates in General, OBC, and EWS categories: Rs. 650 (Rs. 550 + Rs. 100 Exam Fee)
SC/ST candidates, all female candidates, and eligible ex-servicemen: Rs. 550 (only Recruitment Processing Charges)
Ex-servicemen employed in Central Govt Group 'C' posts: Rs. 650 (Rs. 550 + Rs. 100 Exam Fee)
Payments can be made online via debit/credit card, net banking, UPI, or SBI challan. The application process was open from July 19 to August 10, 2025, with offline fee payments accepted until August 12, 2025.
EXAM CENTERS
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has designated a total of 148 exam centers across India for the IB ACIO examination. Candidates were required to select five preferred cities during the application process. The final allotment of the exam center was based on seat availability and preferences. The IB ACIO City Intimation Slip, which indicates the allotted exam city, was released on 5th September. Candidates can download their city intimation slip by logging into the official portal using their registration number and password.
A&N Islands: Port Blair
Andhra Pradesh: Anantapur, Guntur, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Rajahmundry, Tirupathi, Vijaywada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram
Arunachal Pradesh: Naharlagun
Assam: Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur
Bihar: Arrah, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea
Chandigarh: Chandigarh/Mohali
Chhattisgarh: Bhilai Nagar/Durg, Bilaspur CG, Raipur
Delhi: Delhi/NCR
Goa: Panaji
Gujarat: Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, Anand, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara
Haryana: Ambala, Hisar
Himachal Pradesh: Bilaspur HP, Baddi, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla
Jammu & Kashmir: Jammu, Samba, Srinagar
Jharkhand: Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi
Karnataka: Belagavi (Belgaum), Hubbali (Hubli), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Mysuru (Mysore), Shivamogga (Shimoga), Udupi
Kerala: Ernakulam, Kannur, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur
Ladakh: Leh
Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Satna, Ujjain
Maharashtra: Amravati, Chattrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai MMR, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Sangali, Satara, Solapur
Manipur: Imphal
Meghalaya: Shillong, Ri-Bhoi, Tura
Mizoram: Aizawl
Nagaland: Dimapur, Kohima
Odisha: Balasore, Berhampur-Ganjam, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sambalpur
Punjab: Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala
Rajasthan: Ajmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur
Sikkim: Gangtok
Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Vellore
Telangana: Hyderabad/Secunderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Warangal
Tripura: Agartala
Uttar Pradesh: Agra, Aligarh, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Prayagraj, Varanasi
Uttarakhand: Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee
West Bengal: Asansol, Burdwan, Durgapur, Kalyani, Kolkata, Siliguri
ADMIT CARD
As of 24 Feb. 2026, the IB ACIO Tier-2 Admit Card 2025 for the exam scheduled on 11 January 2026 has been released on the official website (mha.gov.in). Typically 1-2 days before the exam. Qualified candidates should regularly check the official MHA portal (or the recruitment login link) using their User ID and Password to download the hall ticket as soon as it goes live.
To download the admit card for the IB ACIO Exam, follow these steps once the admit card is officially released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA):
1 - Visit the Official Website:
Go to the MHA official portal where the IB ACIO recruitment is being handled (often at mha.gov.in or the designated application portal mentioned in the exam notification).
2 - Find the Admit Card Link:
Look for a link that says “IB ACIO Admit Card 2026” or “Download Call Letter” on the homepage or under the Recruitment/Latest Updates section.
3 - Enter Your Details:
Click the link and enter your Registration/Application Number and Date of Birth (or other details as required) in the fields provided.
4 -Submit Information:
After entering the correct details, click Submit/Download.
5 - Download and Print:
Your admit card will appear on the screen. Download it and take a printout to carry to the exam centre.
The admit card contains important details like:
Candidate’s name and roll number
Exam date, time, and duration
Exam center address and code
Instructions for the exam
It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam center.
EXAM RESULTS
The result of the IB ACIO (Assistant Central Intelligence Officer) Exam is released online by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) after the completion of each stage of the examination. The result is generally published in PDF format containing the roll numbers or names of qualified candidates.
The IB ACIO exam results are released in stages:
Tier 1 Result – Declares candidates who have qualified for Tier 2. It is released online on the official IB/Ministry of Home Affairs website. Only qualifying marks are considered; Tier 1 scores are not added to the final selection.
Tier 2 Result – Shortlists candidates for the interview/personality test. Marks obtained in Tier 2 are combined with the interview score to prepare the final merit list.
Final Result – Released after the interview stage. It contains the final selection list of candidates for appointment as ACIO Grade-II.
Candidates can download their results by logging into the official portal using their registration number and password. Notifications for results are also published on the official IB website.
To download the result for the IB ACIO Exam, follow these simple steps once the results are officially released on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) website:
Visit the Official Website:
Go to the official Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recruitment portal as mentioned in the IB ACIO notification (commonly mha.gov.in or the specific result portal linked there).
Find the Result Link:
On the homepage, look for a link that says “IB ACIO Exam 2026 Result” or “Download Result/Scorecard.” This is usually under the Recruitment/Latest Updates section.
Enter Your Details:
Click the result link and enter your Application/Registration Number and Date of Birth (or other required credentials).
Submit Information:
After entering the correct details, click Submit/View Result.
Check & Download:
Your result or scorecard will appear on the screen. Download it and save a PDF copy for future reference.
Print (Optional):
You can also take a printout of the result for documentation or verification during later stages like interviews or document verification.
Exams News
IB ACIO Exam City Intimation Slip 2025
Download the IB ACIO Exam City Intimation Slip 2025 for Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams. Know your exam city, date, shift, and reporting time in advance. Plan travel and stay before the admit card release...
| Posted On: 01 Jan, 2026 | |
| Read More | |
IB ACIO-II/Executive Tier-I Result 2025 Released
The Intelligence Bureau has declared the IB ACIO-II/Executive Tier-I Result 2025 at mha.gov.in. Check the list of shortlisted roll numbers, Tier-II admit card updates, exam dates, and selection process details...
| Posted On: 22 Nov, 2025 | |
| Read More | |
MHA Released IB ACIO Phase-1 Answer Key 2025
Check the IB ACIO Phase-1 Exam 2025 answer key released by MHA. Learn how to download the answer key, raise objections, and know the next steps in the selection process.
| Posted On: 22 Sep, 2025 | |
| Read More | |
IB ACIO City Intimation Slip 2025 Released
MHA has released the IB ACIO City Intimation Slip 2025 for 3,717 vacancies of ACIO Grade II/Executive. Check exam city, shift timings, and download the slip for Tier I exam scheduled on 16, 17 & 18 September 2025 at mha.gov.in...
| Posted On: 05 Sep, 2025 | |
| Read More | |
Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer / Executive 2023 Mains Exam Admit Card Released
Intelligence Bureau has released the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer / Executive 2023 Mains Exam Admit Card...
| Posted On: 27 May, 2024 | |
| Read More | |
Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer / Executive 2023 Prelims Exam Result Released
Intelligence Bureau has released the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer / Executive 2023 Prelims Exam Result...
| Posted On: 29 Mar, 2024 | |
| Read More | |
Online tests
Click
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
Make learning fun with videos!

Aggregated videos
We spend time curating the best videos and playlists - so you don't have to!

Choose how you learn
Dont understand a topic ? We got you covered with your choice of creators

















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































