Intelligence Bureau — Ministry of Home Affairs
| Post Name | Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade II/Executive |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Graduation or equivalent from a recognized university |
| Age Limit | 18-27 years (Relaxation as per government norms) |
| Salary | Level 7 (Pay Matrix Rs. 44,900 - 1,42,400) plus admissible allowances |
| Application Fee | Refer to the official notification for category-specific charges |
| Selection Process | Tier 1 (Objective), Tier 2 (Descriptive), and Interview |
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) conducts the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive examination to recruit skilled professionals for one of the most prestigious agencies in India. Given the nature of the work, the selection process is rigorous, involving a tiered testing structure. Understanding the syllabus and exam pattern is the foundational step for every serious aspirant.
The Tier 1 exam is a computer-based objective test designed to evaluate your speed, accuracy, and general aptitude. The marking scheme follows a negative marking policy of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | 1 Hour |
| General Studies | 20 | 20 | 1 Hour |
| Numerical Aptitude | 20 | 20 | 1 Hour |
| Reasoning & Logical Aptitude | 20 | 20 | 1 Hour |
| English Language | 20 | 20 | 1 Hour |
The Tier 2 exam shifts to a descriptive format, focusing on your analytical writing and comprehension skills. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English and awareness of contemporary socio-political issues.
Focus on national and international events, government policies, defense news, sports, and major economic developments from the last 6-12 months.
This section covers Indian History (all phases), the Indian Constitution and Polity, Geography, and General Science fundamentals.
Concentrate on arithmetic core topics including Percentages, Ratio, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, and data representation techniques like Data Interpretation (DI).
Develop proficiency in analytical puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, blood relations, and syllogisms.
Emphasis is placed on grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, error detection, and sentence improvement.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer in the Tier 1 examination.
The exam is conducted in both English and Hindi languages.
Data Interpretation, Simplification, and Percentages usually carry the highest weightage.
A comprehensive review of events from the last 6 to 12 months is generally sufficient.
No, the selection process is cumulative; candidates must qualify for both tiers and the final interview round.
A former Defence aspirant turned career advisor, Amit Singh Chauhan brings deep insider knowledge of Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Railway recruitment processes. He has been guiding candidates for over 10 years.