Introduction
The Intelligence Bureau (IB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has released the official notification for the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive Examination 2025 on 14th July 2025. This recruitment drive aims to fill 3717 vacancies, offering a significant opportunity for graduates to join one of India’s most prestigious intelligence agencies. The application window is open from 19th July 2025 to 10th August 2025, and candidates are encouraged to apply early and prepare thoroughly for the competitive selection process.
Important Dates
The following table outlines the key dates for the IB ACIO Recruitment 2025:
|
Event |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Notification Release Date |
14th July 2025 |
|
Online Application Starts |
19th July 2025 |
|
Last Date to Apply Online |
10th August 2025 |
|
Last Date to Pay Application Fee |
10th August 2025 |
|
Tier 1 Exam Date |
To be announced |
|
Tier 2 Exam Date |
To be announced |
|
Interview Dates |
To be announced |
Note: Exam dates will be updated on the official website www.mha.gov.in once announced.
Vacancy Details
The IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 offers a total of 3717 vacancies for the ACIO Grade II/Executive post, distributed across various categories as follows:
|
Category |
Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
|
Unreserved (UR) |
1537 |
|
Scheduled Caste (SC) |
556 |
|
Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
226 |
|
Other Backward Class (OBC) |
946 |
|
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) |
442 |
This distribution ensures opportunities for candidates from diverse backgrounds, with reservations as per government norms.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 10th August 2025)
-
Minimum Age: 18 years
-
Maximum Age: 27 years
Age Relaxations:
-
OBC: 3 years
-
SC/ST: 5 years
-
Departmental Candidates: Up to 40 years (with a minimum of 3 years of continuous service)
-
Meritorious Sportspersons: 5 years
-
Widows/Divorced Women/Judicially Separated (Not Remarried):
-
UR: Up to 35 years
-
SC/ST: Up to 40 years
-
Educational Qualification
-
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university in any discipline.
-
Basic computer knowledge is mandatory, as the role may involve handling digital tools and systems.
Additional Requirements
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Candidates serving in Central Police Organisations, State Police Organisations, or Defence Forces may be eligible if they hold equivalent positions and meet the educational criteria.
-
Physical and medical standards may apply, as specified in the official notification.
Application Process
How to Apply
The application process is entirely online and must be completed through the official MHA website: www.mha.gov.in. Follow these steps:
-
Visit the Official Website: Go to www.mha.gov.in and locate the “Apply Online” link for IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 (available from 19th July 2025).
-
Register: Create an account using a valid email ID and mobile number.
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Fill the Application Form: Enter personal, educational, and other required details accurately.
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Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and educational certificates as per the specified format.
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Pay the Application Fee: Complete the payment online using debit/credit cards, net banking, or UPI.
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Submit and Save: Review the form, submit it, and take a printout of the confirmation for future reference.
Application Fee
The application fee structure is as follows:
|
Category |
Fee |
|---|---|
|
All Candidates (Recruitment Processing Fee) |
Rs. 550/- |
|
Male Candidates (UR/EWS/OBC) (Examination Fee + Processing Fee) |
Rs. 650/- |
Exemptions:
-
Female candidates, SC/ST candidates, and Ex-Servicemen (ExSM) are exempt from the examination fee but must pay the recruitment processing fee of Rs. 550/-.
Note: Ensure payment is completed by 10th August 2025 (11:59 PM) to avoid application rejection.
Selection Process
The selection process for IB ACIO Grade II/Executive consists of three stages:
Tier 1: Objective Type Test
-
Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
-
Total Questions: 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
-
Subjects and Marks Distribution:
-
Current Affairs: 20 marks
-
General Studies: 20 marks
-
Numerical Aptitude: 20 marks
-
Reasoning: 20 marks
-
English Language: 20 marks
-
-
Total Marks: 100
-
Duration: 1 hour
-
Negative Marking: 1/4 mark deducted for each incorrect answer
-
Minimum Qualifying Marks:
-
UR/EWS: 35 marks
-
OBC: 34 marks
-
SC/ST: 33 marks
-
Tier 2: Descriptive Type Test
-
Mode: Offline (Pen-and-Paper)
-
Total Marks: 50
-
Sections:
-
Essay Writing: 30 marks
-
English Comprehension & Précis Writing: 20 marks
-
-
Duration: 1 hour
-
Negative Marking: None
-
Qualifying Marks: Minimum 33% (17/50) to be eligible for the interview.
Note: Some sources suggest a different marks distribution for Tier 2 (e.g., Essay: 20 marks, Comprehension: 10 marks, Long-answer questions: 20 marks). Candidates should verify the exact pattern in the official notification on www.mha.gov.in.
Tier 3: Interview
-
Type: Personality Test and Viva-Voce
-
Total Marks: 100
-
Purpose: To assess the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and suitability for the intelligence role.
-
Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of current affairs, general awareness, and clarity in expressing their thoughts.
Note: Candidates must qualify each stage to proceed to the next. The final merit list is based on combined performance across all stages.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Tier 1 Exam Pattern
The Tier 1 exam tests a candidate’s knowledge across five key areas:
|
Subject |
Questions |
Marks |
|---|---|---|
|
Current Affairs |
20 | 20 |
|
General Studies |
20 | 20 |
|
Numerical Aptitude |
20 | 20 |
|
Reasoning |
20 | 20 |
|
English Language |
20 | 20 |
|
Total |
100 | 100 |
-
Duration: 60 minutes
-
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
Tier 2 Exam Pattern
The Tier 2 exam focuses on written communication skills:
|
Section |
Marks |
|---|---|
|
Essay Writing |
30 |
|
English Comprehension & Précis Writing |
20 |
|
Total |
50 |
-
Duration: 60 minutes
-
Mode: Offline (Descriptive).
Syllabus Overview
-
Current Affairs: National and international events, government schemes, awards, sports, etc.
-
General Studies: Indian history, geography, polity, economy, science, and technology.
-
Numerical Aptitude: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation, percentages, etc.
-
Reasoning: Logical reasoning, puzzles, coding-decoding, analogy, series, etc.
-
English Language: Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, sentence correction, précis writing, and essay writing.
For a detailed syllabus, refer to resources like Careerpower’s IB ACIO Syllabus or Adda247’s Syllabus Page.
Salary and Benefits
Selected candidates will be appointed as ACIO Grade II/Executive with the following salary structure:
-
Pay Scale: Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400 (Level 7 pay matrix)
-
Initial Basic Pay: Rs. 44,900 per month
-
Additional Benefits: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), medical benefits, and other perks as per government norms.
The role offers job security, opportunities for career progression, and the prestige of working in national security.
Important Links
-
Official Website: www.mha.gov.in