Exam prep·India· 8 min read

IB ACIO Exam Guide (Assistant Central Intelligence Officer)

An official-source guide to the IB ACIO Grade-II/Executive exam under the Ministry of Home Affairs — graduate eligibility, Tier-I, Tier-II and interview.

Last updated 1 July 2026

Key facts

Recruiting body: Intelligence Bureau (IB), Ministry of Home Affairs — mha.gov.in
Post: Assistant Central Intelligence Officer, Grade-II/Executive (ACIO-II/Executive)
Broad eligibility: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university; open to Indian citizens per the official notification
Selection stages: Tier-I (objective, computer-based) → Tier-II (descriptive) → interview/personality test
Where to apply: As directed in the official notification (published via mha.gov.in / the National Career Service portal)
Age, vacancies, fee & dates: Not fixed here — always confirm on the official notification

What the IB ACIO exam is

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) recruits for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer, Grade-II/Executive (ACIO-II/Executive) through a national examination. The IB functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is a graduate-level entry with a distinct three-stage selection — an objective Tier-I, a descriptive Tier-II and an interview — which sets it apart from purely objective recruitment exams. This guide is not a duplicate of the SSC or UPSC exam guides; ACIO has its own conducting body, pattern and post.

Recruits Assistant Central Intelligence Officer, Grade-II/Executive
Conducted by the Intelligence Bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs
A graduate-level exam with objective, descriptive and interview stages

Who conducts it

The recruitment is carried out by the Intelligence Bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and details are published through official government channels (the Ministry of Home Affairs website, mha.gov.in, and the National Career Service portal, ncs.gov.in). The specific notification states exactly where and how to apply.

Because application windows and portals can differ between cycles, always follow the official notification for where to register — do not apply through any unofficial link.

Recruited by the Intelligence Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs)
Notifications published via official government channels (mha.gov.in / ncs.gov.in)
Apply only through the portal named in the official notification

Eligibility — the essentials (confirm the specifics officially)

The core educational requirement is a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Nationality eligibility is stated as being open to Indian citizens as per the official notification.

The age band and any relaxations, along with any additional conditions, are set in each notification and can change. Verify all of these against the current ACIO notification rather than any third-party summary.

Bachelor's degree from a recognised university
Open to Indian citizens as per the official notification
Age limit and any relaxations: verify in the current official notification

Stages and exam pattern

The selection is in three stages. Tier-I is an objective (multiple-choice) computer-based test covering areas such as current affairs, general studies, numerical/quantitative aptitude, reasoning and logical aptitude, and English. Shortlisting for Tier-II is based on Tier-I performance, typically after normalisation of marks.

Tier-II is a descriptive paper — for example, essay writing and English comprehension/precis-type tasks — that tests written expression. Candidates are then shortlisted, on combined Tier-I and Tier-II performance, for the interview/personality-test stage. The exact number of questions, marks, timing and qualifying requirements are defined in the notification.

Tier-I — objective, computer-based (current affairs, general studies, numerical aptitude, reasoning, English)
Tier-II — descriptive (e.g. essay and English comprehension/precis)
Interview / personality test
Exact marks, timing and shortlisting rules: confirm in the notification

How to prepare (a neutral approach)

For Tier-I, build broad general awareness and current affairs, and practise objective reasoning, numerical aptitude and English under timed conditions. For Tier-II, practise structured essay and comprehension writing so you can present arguments clearly within a word and time limit.

Prepare for the interview by being ready to discuss your background and general awareness thoughtfully. Keep in mind that no resource or class can guarantee selection — consistent reading, writing practice and self-review are the reliable levers.

Strengthen current affairs, general studies, reasoning, numerical aptitude and English for Tier-I
Practise timed descriptive writing (essay + comprehension) for Tier-II
Prepare to discuss your background and general awareness for the interview
No coaching can promise selection — plan for steady effort

What to verify on the official website

Before applying, confirm from the official ACIO notification: the age band and relaxations, the exact Tier-I and Tier-II patterns and marks, the application portal and fee, the vacancies, and the important dates.

These change between recruitment cycles. Treat the official Ministry of Home Affairs notification as the single source of truth and re-check it close to your application date.

Frequently asked questions

Who conducts the IB ACIO exam?

It is conducted by the Intelligence Bureau, which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Notifications are published through official government channels such as mha.gov.in and the National Career Service portal.

What qualification do I need?

A bachelor's degree from a recognised university. The age band and any relaxations are set in each notification, so verify them officially before applying.

What are the stages of selection?

An objective Tier-I (computer-based), a descriptive Tier-II, and then an interview/personality test. Shortlisting from Tier-I to Tier-II and to the interview is based on performance as described in the notification.

Is Tier-II descriptive?

Yes — Tier-II is a descriptive paper that has included tasks such as essay writing and English comprehension/precis, testing written expression. Confirm the exact format in the current notification.

Where do I apply and find the age limit?

Apply only through the portal named in the official ACIO notification, and confirm the age limit, fee and dates there. Do not use any unofficial application link.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India — official website; National Career Service (NCS) — some cycles cross-post the ACIO advertisement here; always apply via the portal named in the current official MHA notification.

Last verified: 1 July 2026.