The Intelligence Bureau (IB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has released the official notification for the IB ACIO Recruitment 2025, inviting applications for 3,717 Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive posts. This national-level recruitment drive offers a prestigious opportunity for graduates to join one of India’s premier intelligence agencies. The online application process began on July 19, 2025, and will continue until August 10, 2025. This article provides comprehensive details about the recruitment, including eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, and more, to help candidates prepare effectively.
IB ACIO Recruitment 2025: Overview
The IB ACIO 2025 recruitment is a golden opportunity for candidates aspiring to serve in the Intelligence Bureau, a key organization responsible for national security. The recruitment process is conducted annually to fill Grade-II/Executive positions, which are classified as Group C (Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial) roles. Below is a summarized overview of the recruitment:
- Organization: Intelligence Bureau (IB), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- Post Name: Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive
- Total Vacancies: 3,717
- Application Mode: Online
- Application Start Date: July 19, 2025
- Application End Date: August 10, 2025 (11:59 PM)
- Official Website: mha.gov.in or ncs.gov.in
- Selection Process: Tier 1 (Objective), Tier 2 (Descriptive), Interview
- Salary: ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 (Pay Level-7) + allowances
Important Dates for IB ACIO Recruitment 2025
Staying updated with the recruitment schedule is crucial for candidates. Below are the key dates for the IB ACIO 2025 recruitment process:
- Short Notification Release Date: July 14, 2025
- Detailed Notification Release Date: July 18, 2025
- Online Application Start Date: July 19, 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: August 10, 2025
- Last Date for Fee Payment via SBI Challan: August 12, 2025 (within banking hours)
- Exam Date: To be announced soon
- Admit Card Release Date: Approximately one week before the exam
- Result Announcement: To be announced post-exam
Candidates are advised to regularly check the official MHA website for updates on exam dates and other notifications.
Vacancy Details for IB ACIO 2025
The IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 offers a total of 3,717 vacancies for the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Executive post. The category-wise vacancy distribution is as follows:
- General (UR): 1,537 posts
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 946 posts
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 442 posts
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 553 posts
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 239 posts
These vacancies provide ample opportunities for candidates from various categories to secure a position in the Intelligence Bureau.
Vacancy Details for IB ACIO 2025
The IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 offers a total of 3,717 vacancies for the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Executive post. The category-wise vacancy distribution is as follows:
-
General (UR): 1,537 posts
-
Other Backward Classes (OBC): 946 posts
-
Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 442 posts
-
Scheduled Caste (SC): 553 posts
-
Scheduled Tribe (ST): 239 posts
These vacancies provide ample opportunities for candidates from various categories to secure a position in the Intelligence Bureau.
Eligibility Criteria for IB ACIO Recruitment 2025
To apply for the IB ACIO 2025 exam, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Educational Qualification
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Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized university or institution.
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Equivalent qualifications recognized by the Government of India are also acceptable.
Age Limit
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Minimum Age: 18 years
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Maximum Age: 27 years (as of August 10, 2025)
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Age Relaxation:
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SC/ST: 5 years
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OBC: 3 years
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Ex-Servicemen: As per government norms
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PwD (Persons with Disabilities): Up to 10 years (depending on category)
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Candidates employed in Central/State Police Organizations or Defense Forces may receive additional relaxation as per IB regulations.
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Nationality
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Candidates must be citizens of India and provide relevant documentation to support their claim.
Candidates are advised to read the official notification thoroughly to confirm eligibility before applying.
Selection Process for IB ACIO 2025
The selection process for IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 is rigorous and consists of three stages:
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Tier 1 (Objective Test):
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Marks: 100
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Duration: 1 hour
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Sections:
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Current Affairs (20 questions)
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General Studies (20 questions)
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Numerical Aptitude (20 questions)
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Reasoning (20 questions)
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English Language (20 questions)
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Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
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Candidates who qualify in Tier 1 will proceed to Tier 2.
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Tier 2 (Descriptive Test):
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Marks: 50
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Duration: 1 hour
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Components:
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Essay Writing (30 marks)
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English Comprehension & Precis Writing (20 marks)
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Minimum qualifying marks: 33%
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Candidates are shortlisted for the interview based on combined performance in Tier 1 and Tier 2.
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Tier 3 (Interview):
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Marks: 100
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Components: Personality test and psychometric/aptitude assessment
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Focuses on evaluating candidates’ suitability for intelligence work, including mental agility, communication skills, and situational judgment.
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Final selection is based on the combined marks of Tier 1, Tier 2, and the interview, followed by document verification and security clearance.
Exam Pattern for IB ACIO 2025
Understanding the exam pattern is essential for effective preparation. Below is the detailed exam pattern for IB ACIO 2025:
Tier 1 Exam Pattern
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Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
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Total Questions: 100
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Total Marks: 100
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Duration: 60 minutes
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Sections:
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General Awareness: 20 marks
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Quantitative Aptitude: 20 marks
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Logical/Analytical/Numerical Ability & Reasoning: 20 marks
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English Language: 20 marks
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Current Affairs: 20 marks
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Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per incorrect answer
Tier 2 Exam Pattern
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Type: Descriptive
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Total Marks: 50
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Duration: 60 minutes
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Sections:
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Essay Writing (400–500 words): 30 marks
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English Comprehension & Precis Writing: 20 marks
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Qualifying Marks: 33%
Interview
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Total Marks: 100
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Tests personality, aptitude, and suitability for the role.
Syllabus for IB ACIO 2025
The syllabus for IB ACIO 2025 is designed to assess candidates’ general knowledge, analytical skills, and language proficiency. Below is the detailed syllabus:
Tier 1 Syllabus
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General Awareness & General Studies:
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Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy
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Science & Technology
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Environmental Issues
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Static GK (Awards, Books, Important Days)
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Current Affairs:
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National and International Events
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Government Schemes
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Sports, Defense, and Security News
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Quantitative Aptitude:
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Number System, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion
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Time & Work, Speed & Distance
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Data Interpretation, Simplification
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Logical/Analytical/Numerical Ability & Reasoning:
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Analogies, Syllogism, Blood Relations
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Coding-Decoding, Puzzles
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Data Sufficiency, Logical Venn Diagrams
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English Language:
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Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test
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Grammar (Tenses, Articles, Prepositions)
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Vocabulary, Synonyms, Antonyms
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Tier 2 Syllabus
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Essay Writing:
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Topics related to Current Affairs, Socio-Political Issues, Economy, or National Security
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Focus on structure: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
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English Comprehension & Precis Writing:
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Summarizing passages
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Understanding and analyzing text
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Candidates should practice writing essays and solving previous years’ question papers to enhance their preparation.
Application Fee for IB ACIO 2025
The application fee for IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 varies by category and includes both examination and recruitment processing charges. Payment can be made online via SBI EPAY LITE, including Debit Cards (RuPay, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro), Credit Cards, Internet Banking, UPI, or SBI Challan. The fee structure is as follows:
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General/OBC/EWS (Male): ₹650 (₹100 Exam Fee + ₹550 Recruitment Processing Fee)
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SC/ST/All Female Candidates/Ex-Servicemen: ₹550 (Recruitment Processing Fee only)
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Payment via SBI Challan: Must be submitted by August 12, 2025 (within banking hours)
Note: The fee is non-refundable. Candidates should ensure payment confirmation and avoid refreshing the page during transactions to prevent duplicate charges.
How to Apply for IB ACIO Recruitment 2025
Follow these steps to apply for the IB ACIO 2025 exam:
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Visit the Official Website: Go to mha.gov.in or ncs.gov.in.
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Navigate to Recruitment Section: Find the “IB ACIO Grade-II/Executive Recruitment 2025” notification.
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Register: Click on the application link and complete the registration process by providing basic details like name, email, and mobile number.
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Fill Application Form: Log in with your credentials and fill in personal, educational, and other required details.
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Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other required documents as per the specified format.
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Pay Application Fee: Complete the payment process through the secure payment gateway.
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Submit and Save: Review the application, submit it, and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Tip: Keep all documents ready before starting the application process to avoid last-minute issues.
Salary and Benefits for IB ACIO Grade-II/Executive
Selected candidates for the IB ACIO Grade-II/Executive post will be placed under Pay Level-7 with a salary range of ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400 per month. Additional allowances include:
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Dearness Allowance (DA)
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House Rent Allowance (HRA)
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Special Security Allowance
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Other government benefits as per norms
The role offers job stability, growth opportunities, and the chance to contribute to national security.
Preparation Tips for IB ACIO 2025
To excel in the IB ACIO 2025 exam, candidates should adopt a strategic preparation plan:
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Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the topics and structure of Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams.
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Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve past question papers to identify common themes and improve time management.
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Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Read newspapers and follow reliable sources for national and international news.
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Improve Writing Skills: Practice essay writing and precis writing to score well in Tier 2.
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Join Coaching or Online Courses: Consider enrolling in reputed coaching programs like Adda247 for structured guidance.
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Take Mock Tests: Regularly attempt mock tests to assess your preparation and identify weak areas.
Important Links for IB ACIO Recruitment 2025
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Official Website: mha.gov.in
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Application Portal: ncs.gov.in
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Notification PDF: Download IB ACIO 2025 Notification
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Helpline Number: 022-61087513 (Available Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
Why Choose a Career with IB ACIO?
Joining the Intelligence Bureau as an ACIO Grade-II/Executive offers a unique opportunity to serve the nation while enjoying a rewarding career. The role involves critical responsibilities in intelligence gathering, analysis, and national security operations. With competitive pay, job security, and opportunities for growth, this position is ideal for motivated graduates seeking a challenging and prestigious career.
Conclusion
The IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 is a significant opportunity for aspiring candidates to join the Intelligence Bureau. With 3,717 vacancies, a structured selection process, and a clear path to a rewarding career, candidates must act promptly to apply before August 10, 2025. By understanding the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus, and following a disciplined preparation strategy, candidates can maximize their chances of success. Visit the official MHA website for the latest updates and start your preparation today!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a legal document. Candidates are advised to refer to the official IB ACIO Notification 2025 on mha.gov.in for accurate details.
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