Short Description:
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released the notification for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade–II/Executive (ACIO-II/Exe) in the Intelligence Bureau (IB). This is a General Central Service, Group ‘C’ (Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial) post, offering great opportunities for aspirants wishing to serve the nation in an intelligence role.
Let’s break down the key details of the notification:
Important Dates:
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Short Notification Release | 12th July 2025 | Official announcement of the IB ACIO recruitment. |
| Online Application Start Date | 19th July 2025 | Application portal opens for candidate registration. |
| Online Application End Date | 10th August 2025 (23:59 hrs) | Last day to fill and submit online applications. |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 10th August 2025 | Deadline for digital payment of examination fees. |
| Last Date for SBI Challan Fee Payment | 12th August 2025 (Banking hours) | Payment via SBI Challan for offline transactions. |
| Tier-I Exam Date | To be announced | First stage exam—Computer Based Test (CBT). |
| Tier-II Exam Date | To be announced | Descriptive test for shortlisted candidates. |
Post Details:
Post Name: Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade–II/Executive (ACIO-II/Exe)
Classification: General Central Service, Group ‘C’, Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial
Department: Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs
Vacancy Details of IB ACIO:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 1,537 |
| EWS | 442 |
| OBC | 946 |
| SC | 566 |
| ST | 226 |
| Total | 3,717 |
Note: Vacancies are provisional and subject to change.
Pay Scale:
- Pay Level: Level 7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) in the Pay Matrix
- Other Benefits:
- Special Security Allowance: 20% of basic pay (over and above regular allowances)
- Holiday Duty Compensation: Cash compensation for duty on holidays (subject to 30 days annually)
Educational Qualifications:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Essential Qualification | Graduation or equivalent from a recognized university |
| Desirable Qualification | Knowledge of computers |
Age Limit (As on 10.08.2025)
| Criteria | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General Category | 18–27 years |
Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years (up to 32 years)
- OBC: 3 years (up to 30 years)
- Departmental Candidates (3+ years’ service): Up to 40 years
- Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women (not remarried):
- General: up to 35 years
- OBC: up to 38 years
- SC/ST: up to 40 years
- Ex-servicemen: As per Government rules
- Meritorious Sportspersons: Up to 5 years (as per DoP&T O.M. No. 14015/1/76-Estt.(D), dated 4.8.1980)
Candidates must submit the required certificate in the prescribed format for age relaxation.
PwBD Candidates
This is an operational post, hence not reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). They need not apply.
Service Liability:
The post involves All India Service Liability.
Only those willing to serve anywhere in India should apply.
Exam Pattern:
The selection process is conducted in three tiers:
🔹 Tier-I: Objective Written Test (MCQs)
| Sections | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| a) Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| b) General Studies | 20 | 20 |
| c) Numerical Aptitude | 20 | 20 |
| d) Reasoning/Logical Aptitude | 20 | 20 |
| e) English Language | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Duration: 1 hour
Negative Marking: ¼ mark deducted for each wrong answer
🔹 Tier-II: Descriptive Test
| Section | Marks |
|---|---|
| Essay Writing (1 topic) | 20 |
| English Comprehension | 10 |
| Long Answer (2 questions) | 20 |
| Current Affairs / Socio-Political / Economic Issues | 20 |
| Total | 50 |
Duration: 1 hour
Descriptive questions to test analytical and writing skills.
🔹 Tier-III: Interview
- Total Marks: 100
- Candidates shortlisted from Tier-II will be called for interview based on merit.
Important Links
| Official Site | Click here |
| Official Notification Page | Click Here |
| Download Notification | SooN |
Important Notes
- Closing Date for Eligibility: Candidates must fulfill all criteria by 10.08.2025 (11:59 PM).
- Graduation Completion: Graduation must be completed before the closing date.
- Final Year Students: Not eligible unless degree is completed by the last date.
- Service Conditions: Includes training, posting, and transfer anywhere in India.
FAQ about IB ACIO:
The recruitment is for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade–II/Executive (ACIO-II/Exe) in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
No. Candidates must possess the essential qualification (Graduation) as on or before 10.08.2025 (11:59 PM).
No. The post is operational in nature and not reserved for PwBD candidates. Hence, they are not eligible to apply.
You can apply online through the official Ministry of Home Affairs recruitment portal when the application window opens.
Yes, departmental candidates with 3 years of continuous service can apply up to 40 years of age.
Minimum Age: 18 years Maximum Age: 27 years (as on 10.08.2025) Age Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years OBC: 3 years Departmental Candidates: Up to 40 years Ex-servicemen: As per Government norms Widows/Divorced Women/Judicially Separated Women: Up to 35–40 years (category-wise) Meritorious Sportspersons: Up to 5 years
The medium of the exam (especially the descriptive part) will be specified in the official notification or detailed advertisement. Usually, objective sections are bilingual.
The last date mentioned for eligibility criteria (age, qualification, etc.) is 10.08.2025 (11:59 PM). The official application dates will be notified separately.
The pay scale is Level 7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) along with: Special Security Allowance @ 20% of basic pay Cash compensation in lieu of duty on holidays (limited to 30 days annually)
You must have: Essential: Graduation or equivalent from a recognized university Desirable: Knowledge of computers
The selection process includes three tiers: Tier-I: Objective Exam (100 Marks) 5 sections: Current Affairs, General Studies, Numerical Aptitude, Reasoning, and English (20 questions each) Duration: 1 hour Negative marking: ¼ mark for each wrong answer Tier-II: Descriptive Test (50 Marks) Essay, comprehension, and questions on current/economic/political issues Duration: 1 hour Tier-III: Interview (100 Marks)
The post involves All India Service Liability. Candidates must be willing to serve anywhere in India.
There are a total of 3,717 vacancies across different categories: Category Vacancies UR 1,537 EWS 442 OBC 946 SC 566 ST 226 Total 3,717
The Tier-I exam is typically conducted online (Computer-Based Test). Tier-II (descriptive) is usually may be pen and paper-based. Final interview is conducted in person.