Intelligence Bureau (IB) ACIO Recruitment 2025: Intelligence Bureau (IB) invites online applications for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Executive (ACIO-II/Exe). It is an opportunity for candidates who are seeking a government job. ACIO in the Intelligence Bureau is one of the most prestigious jobs. There are a total of 3,717 posts. Candidates who have passed graduation are eligible for this recruitment. Eligible and interested candidates can apply for the ACIO post through the official website from 19th July onwards. In this article, candidates will find all the important information regarding this recruitment. Candidates are advised to read the full article before applying for this post.
Intelligence Bureau (IB) ACIO Recruitment 2025
Quick Summary
| Job Title | Intelligence Bureau (IB) ACIO Recruitment |
| Total Vacancy | 3,717 posts |
| Application Dates | 19/07/2025 to 10/08/2025 |
| Official Website | www.mha.gov.in or www.ncs.gov.in |
A Deeper Look at the Role
The Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Executive position in the Intelligence Bureau is a challenging yet rewarding role in India's premier internal intelligence agency. Selected candidates will be involved in gathering, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence critical to national security. The role demands discretion, analytical thinking, and the ability to work under pressure. Officers may be deployed in various field and headquarters assignments, often working with sensitive information. The job involves all India transfer liability, meaning officers can be posted anywhere in the country based on operational requirements. This position offers a unique opportunity to serve the nation while developing specialized skills in intelligence work.
Career Path and Salary
Selected candidates will be placed in Level 7 of the pay matrix (₹44,900-1,42,400) plus admissible Central Government allowances. In addition to the basic pay, officers receive a Special Security Allowance @ 20% of basic pay and cash compensation in lieu of duty performed on holidays (subject to a ceiling of 30 days). The position offers excellent career progression opportunities within the Intelligence Bureau hierarchy. After gaining experience as ACIO-II/Executive, officers can be promoted to higher grades with increased responsibilities and compensation. The job provides job security, government accommodation (as per availability), medical facilities, and other benefits typical of Central Government employment. The nature of work also offers unique experiences and skill development opportunities in the field of intelligence and national security.
Important Dates for IB ACIO Recruitment
Intelligence Bureau has released the notification for the recruitment of ACIO posts. All the important dates related to this recruitment are also mentioned in the official notification, such as the application start and end dates, and the last date for fee payment. We have provided all the important dates below. Candidates must read them carefully.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 19 July 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 19 July 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 10 August 2025 (23:59 Hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment (Offline) | 12 August 2025 |
IB ACIO Vacancy Details
We have already mentioned the total number of vacancies earlier. Here, we have provided the category-wise vacancy details in a tabular format, where the UR category has the highest number of vacancies, while the ST category has the least.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 1,537 |
| EWS | 442 |
| OBC | 946 |
| SC | 566 |
| ST | 226 |
| Total | 3,717 |
Eligibility Criteria for ACIO
Eligibility criteria for IB ACIO recruitment can be divided on the basis of educational qualification and age limits. However, only Indian citizens are eligible for this recruitment. The other criteria are as follows:
Education Qualification: Graduation or equivalent from a recognized university. It is also mentioned in the notification that knowledge of computers is desirable.
Age Limit (as on 10.08.2025): The age limit for candidates must be between 18 to 27 years for general category candidates, while age relaxation will be available for other categories as per government norms.
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Departmental candidates (Central Govt.): Up to 40 years
- Widows/divorced women: UR (35), OBC (38), SC/ST (40)
- Ex-servicemen: As per Govt. norms
- Sportspersons: Up to 5 years
Application Fee
Eligible candidates have to pay the application fee for ACIO recruitment. The modes of payment are both online and offline. For online mode, candidates can use debit/credit card, net banking, UPI, etc., to pay their application fee. For offline mode, candidates can submit their fee through an SBI challan. The last date for offline fee payment is 12th August 2025. We have provided the category-wise application fee details in a tabular format below.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS Male | ₹650 (₹550 + ₹100) |
| SC/ST/Female/Ex-Servicemen* | ₹550 (Only Processing Charges) |
*Ex-servicemen already employed in Central Govt. must pay ₹650.
Intelligence Bureau ACIO Selection Process
Eligible and interested candidates must qualify the IB ACIO selection process. The selection process of IB ACIO consists of three stages: Tier-I, Tier-II, and Tier-III. Tier-I is an objective-type paper, Tier-II is a descriptive-type paper, and the last stage is the interview. We have described all the stages below so that candidates can read and understand them clearly.
- Tier-I: 100 MCQs (Current Affairs, General Studies, Numerical Aptitude, Reasoning, English) - 1 hour, 100 marks
- Tier-II: Descriptive paper (Essay, Comprehension, Long Answers) - 1 hour, 50 marks
- Tier-III: Interview - 100 marks
Exam Preparation Strategy
Overview
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) ACIO Recruitment 2025 exam is a competitive national-level test for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (Grade II/Executive). The exam is conducted in two tiers:
- Tier I (Objective): General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical/Analytical Ability, English Language, General Studies
- Tier II (Descriptive): Essay writing, Precis writing, and English comprehension
The strategy below covers a structured daily and weekly routine, best resources for each subject, mock test approach and analysis, time management strategies, and a focused 8-week plan — all designed to help you crack IB ACIO 2025 efficiently.
Daily Routine
A well-planned daily schedule helps balance all subjects and build speed, accuracy, and current affairs knowledge.
- 6:00 AM – 6:30 AM: Quick revision (error log, flashcards, GK facts, vocab)
- 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Quantitative Aptitude — focus on core topics (Number System, Percentage, Ratio, Time & Work, Speed/Distance, Simplification)
- 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Break / Breakfast
- 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Logical / Analytical Reasoning — puzzles, syllogisms, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, series
- 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM: English Language — grammar rules, comprehension, vocabulary building, error detection, para jumbles
- 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: General Awareness / Current Affairs — national & international news, government schemes, defense, important appointments, awards
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch & Rest
- 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: General Studies — History, Polity, Geography, Economics, Science basics (NCERT-level); focus on static GK
- 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM: Descriptive Practice (Essay / Precis / Comprehension) — 3–4 times per week
- 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Break / Light exercise
- 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Topic revision or problem-solving drills based on weak areas
- 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Timed sectional or mini mock test (Quant/Reasoning/GA), followed by 15 min review
- 9:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Flashcards + Plan next day
- 10:30 PM: Sleep (7–7.5 hours recommended)
Weekly Routine
- Monday–Friday: Follow the daily schedule; rotate heavier focus — 2 days Quant-heavy, 2 days Reasoning-heavy, 1 day GS & Descriptive focus.
- Saturday: Full-length Tier I mock test under strict timing (1 hour) + 1 short descriptive writing set.
- Sunday: Mock analysis day + light revision + weekly current affairs compilation review.
- Once a month, simulate exam conditions (Tier I + Tier II descriptive on the same day) to build stamina.
Best Books & Resources (Subject-wise)
-
Quantitative Aptitude:
- “Quantitative Aptitude” by R.S. Aggarwal
- Fast calculation & tricks books (optional) for speed
-
Logical / Analytical Reasoning:
- “A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning” by R.S. Aggarwal
- Topic-wise puzzle sets (online test series)
-
English Language:
- Wren & Martin — Grammar
- “Objective General English” by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Daily newspaper editorials (The Hindu / Indian Express)
-
General Awareness:
- Lucent’s General Knowledge (Static GK)
- Monthly current affairs PDFs (Vision, AffairsCloud, GKToday)
- Daily news notes (national security, international relations, defense, appointments)
-
General Studies:
- NCERT (Class 6–10) for History, Geography, Science basics
- M. Laxmikanth (Indian Polity) for quick reference
- Economics summary notes (basic concepts + current affairs)
-
Descriptive:
- Previous year descriptive topics & model answers
- Editorial reading for essay content building
- Timed essay & precis practice twice a week
-
Mock Tests:
- IB ACIO previous year papers
- Online test series (Testbook, Oliveboard, CareerPower)
How to Give Mock Tests
- Attempt mocks in the same time slot as the actual exam to build your internal rhythm.
- Start with sectional timed tests (Reasoning, Quant, GS) before moving to full-length Tier I mocks.
- Once a week, take one Tier I mock (1 hour), and closer to exam, add descriptive practice on the same day.
- Replicate exam environment — no breaks, phone off, strict timer.
- Track attempts, accuracy, and speed section-wise.
Mock Test Analysis Strategy
- Step 1: Score & Breakdown — Note total score, section-wise score, attempts, accuracy %.
- Step 2: Classify Errors — Conceptual mistake / Calculation / Misread / Time shortage / Careless.
- Step 3: Error Bank — Maintain a notebook or spreadsheet with each error, solution, and fix strategy.
- Step 4: Identify Weak Patterns — e.g., “Direction sense puzzles take too long” → schedule extra drills.
- Step 5: Reattempt — 5–7 days later, redo only the wrong/skipped questions to confirm learning.
Time Management (Preparation & Exam Day)
- During preparation: Follow 70:30 ratio → 70% practice (questions & mocks), 30% theory & revision.
-
Prelims (Tier I) Strategy:
- Target 100% attempt with 85%+ accuracy — time is limited (1 hour for 100 questions).
- Attempt easy GK/English questions first, then Reasoning/Quant.
- Do not get stuck on a single puzzle or long calculation.
-
Descriptive (Tier II):
- Plan essay for 2–3 minutes → structure properly (Intro–Body–Conclusion).
- Use simple language; focus on clarity and structure.
- Practice precis writing weekly to improve speed.
8-Week Focused Plan
- Weeks 1–2: Build basics — Quant formulas, Reasoning patterns, GS NCERT revision, grammar rules, daily current affairs reading.
- Weeks 3–4: Topic-wise timed drills; start sectional mocks; 2 descriptive practices/week.
- Weeks 5–6: Full-length Tier I mocks twice a week; revise error bank; improve weak sections; essay practice 3/week.
- Week 7: Increase mocks to 3 per week; focus on accuracy, time trimming; finalize descriptive formats.
- Week 8: Light revision; 2 full mocks + descriptive; reattempt error log; rest well 48 hours before exam.
Revision & Retention Tips
- Use flashcards or spaced repetition apps for GK, vocab, formulas.
- Revise error bank daily for 10–15 minutes.
- Keep a “One-Page Formula Sheet” for Quant and Reasoning tricks; revise every other day.
- Sunday evenings — do a weekly GK & static recap + list 5 fixed mistakes improved that week.
Mental & Physical Readiness
- Sleep at least 7 hours; avoid burnout with short breaks every 50–60 mins of study.
- Light physical activity daily — improves focus and reduces anxiety.
- Use breathing exercises / visualization before mocks and exam day for calmness.
Exam Day Checklist
- Print admit card & carry valid ID (original + photocopy).
- Stationery ready (pens, pencils, eraser, etc.).
- Reach the centre 45–60 mins early; avoid last-minute rush.
- Don’t read new material the night before — revise flashcards lightly.
Final Motivation
IB ACIO tests your speed, accuracy, knowledge, and presence of mind. With consistent daily study, mock test discipline, and focused error analysis, clearing both Tier I and Tier II becomes very achievable. Trust the process, revise smartly, and stay calm — success will follow.
IB ACIO Exam Pattern
If we look at the exam pattern of the IB ACIO recruitment, we find that in Tier-I, a candidate gets 1 hour to answer 100 questions. For the Tier-II exam, a candidate also gets 1 hour, but it is a descriptive paper. There is negative marking in the Tier-I exam — 1/4th mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. The total marks for the entire selection process is 250 marks.
| Stage | Details | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-I | 100 MCQs (5 sections of 20 Qs each) | 1 hour | 100 |
| Tier-II | Essay (20), Comprehension (10), Long Answers (20) | 1 hour | 50 |
| Tier-III | Interview | - | 100 |
Cut-off Marks (Tier-I): UR/EWS-35, OBC-34, SC/ST-33
How to Apply for IB ACIO
How to apply for Intelligence Bureau ACIO posts? It is a big question. Don't forget, this is one of the most important parts of the entire selection process. All the information a candidate provides will be verified later. Therefore, candidates must provide accurate information about themselves. A candidate has to upload a photograph, signature, and other important documents while applying for this post. Hence, applicants must gather all the required documents before applying. Candidates must read the official notification for more detailed information such as the size and format of the photograph, signature, and other documents. We have given the step-by-step process on how to apply for this post.
- Visit MHA website or NCS portal.
- Register with valid email and mobile number.
- Fill personal, educational, and category details.
- Upload photograph (100-200KB) and signature (80-150KB) in jpg/jpeg format.
- Pay fees online (Debit/Credit/Net Banking/UPI) or via SBI challan.
- Submit and print the application for reference.
Important Links
All the important links have been given below so that candidates can easily download the official notification and quickly access the application portal.
Additional Details
- Service Liability: All India transfer applicable.
- Documents Required: Matric certificate (for DOB), Graduation marksheets, Category certificate (if applicable), NOC (for employed candidates).
- Photograph: Colored, 35x45mm, light background, 70-80% face coverage.
- Warning: Beware of fake recruitment agents. IB does not endorse any third-party assistance.
FAQs – Intelligence Bureau ACIO Recruitment 2025
Is the post suitable for Persons with Disabilities (PwBD)?
No, the post is not identified as suitable for PwBD candidates.
Can I edit my application after submission?
No, once submitted, the application cannot be edited.
