Organization: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Intelligence Bureau (IB)
Post Exam Name: Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II / Executive Examination 2025
Total Vacancies: 3,717 Posts
Official Website: mha.gov.in | ncs.gov.in
Important Dates:
- Short Notification Released: 14 July 2025
- Detailed Notification Release: 19 July 2025
- Application Start Date: 19 July 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: 10 August 2025
- Last Date for Fee Payment (Online/Offline): 10 August 2025
- Tier 1 Exam Date: To be announced
- Tier 2 Exam Date: To be announced
- Interview Dates: To be announced
Classification: General Central Service, Group ‘C’ (Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial)
Job Location: All India (Service liability across India)
Application Mode: Online
Pay Scale: ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 (Level-7) + Central Govt. allowances
Includes:
- Special Security Allowance: 20% of Basic Pay
- Cash compensation for work on holidays (up to 30 days)
- DA, HRA, TA as per norms
Vacancy Distribution:
UR: 1,537
OBC: 946
EWS: 442
SC: 566
ST: 226
Eligibility Criteria (as on 10 August 2025):
Nationality: Indian Citizen Only
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university
- Final result must be declared before 10 August 2025
- Basic computer knowledge desirable
Age Limit:
- 18 to 27 Years
Age Relaxation:
- OBC: +3 Years
- SC/ST: +5 Years
- Departmental (3 years continuous service): up to 40 years
- Widows/Divorced/Separated Women:
- UR: up to 35 years
- SC/ST/OBC: up to 40 years
- Ex-Servicemen / Meritorious Sportspersons: As per Central Govt rules
Note: Post not suitable for PwD (HH, OH, VH, Autism)
Application Fee:
UR / OBC / EWS (Male): ₹550/-
- ₹100 Application Fee + ₹450 Processing Fee
SC / ST / Female (All Categories): ₹450/- (Processing Fee Only)
Mode: - Online: Net Banking / Debit / Credit Card
- Offline: SBI Challan
Selection Process:
- Tier 1: Objective Exam (100 Marks)
- Tier 2: Descriptive Exam (50 Marks)
- Tier 3: Interview (100 Marks)
Final merit will be prepared based on combined performance in all tiers. Interview may include Psychometric or Aptitude Test.
Exam Pattern:
Tier 1 – Objective (1 Hour):
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| General Studies | 20 | 20 |
| Numerical Aptitude | 20 | 20 |
| Reasoning & Logical Aptitude | 20 | 20 |
| English Language | 20 | 20 |
| Negative Marking: ¼ mark for each wrong answer |
Qualifying Marks (Tier 1):
- UR: 35
- OBC/EWS: 34
- SC/ST: 33
Tier 2 – Descriptive (1 Hour):
- Essay Writing: 30 Marks
- English Comprehension & Precis Writing: 20 Marks
Minimum Qualifying: 33% (17 marks out of 50)
Tier 3 – Interview:
- Total Marks: 100
- Final shortlisting based on Tier 1 + Tier 2 + Interview
Syllabus Overview:
Tier 1:
- Current Affairs: Events, awards, books, sports, etc.
- General Studies: History, Constitution, Geography, Economy, General Science, Static GK
- Numerical Aptitude: Percentages, SI/CI, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, DI, Algebra, Mensuration
- Reasoning: Coding-Decoding, Syllogism, Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, Series
- English: Grammar, Vocabulary, Spotting Errors, Cloze Test, Comprehension
Tier 2:
- Essay Topics: National security, economy, society, technology
- Comprehension & Precis: Summary and analytical writing based on given passages
Documents Required:
- Scanned Photograph and Signature
- Educational Qualification Certificate
- Valid ID Proof (Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
Other Conditions:
- PwBD Candidates: Not eligible for this post
- Reservation: As per Government of India rules for EWS/OBC/SC/ST/ESM
- ESM already employed in civil Group ‘C’ post after availing reservation: Not eligible for fee concession or further ESM reservation benefits, but eligible for age relaxation
- Serving Defence Personnel (discharge due): Must provide certificate as per Appendix-4
- All ESM Candidates: Required to submit undertaking as per Appendix-5 when asked
- Final Selection: Based on Tier-I + Tier-II + Tier-III performance
- Waiting List: Will be maintained as per DoP&T norms for future replacement
- Service Liability: All India posting, candidates must be willing to serve anywhere in India
- Vacancy Status: Provisional and subject to change
- Closing Date Eligibility Cut-off: Age, caste/category, qualification must be valid as of 10 August 2025
How to Apply:
- Go to mha.gov.in or ncs.gov.in
- Click on “IB ACIO 2025 Apply Online”
- Register with basic details
- Upload scanned documents
- Pay application fee
- Submit and take a printout for record
Note: Submit only one application form. Multiple submissions will be rejected.
Exam Centre Locations:
Available in major cities across all states and union territories. Choice to be given during online application.
Preparation Tips:
- Practice daily MCQs from GK, reasoning, English
- Write essays and precis regularly
- Refer to previous year papers and take mock tests
- Stay updated with national and international current affairs
Useful Links