The IB ACIO (Assistant Central Intelligence Officer, Grade-II/Executive) recruitment is conducted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is a prestigious Group C central government post for graduates who want to serve in national intelligence and security roles. This complete guide covers the IB ACIO 2026 notification, eligibility, important dates, selection process, exam pattern and detailed syllabus.
IB ACIO 2026 Introduction
The IB ACIO Grade-II/Executive exam is conducted by the Intelligence Bureau to recruit officers who handle intelligence gathering, analysis and support work. Selected candidates enjoy an attractive salary, allowances and a respected career in one of India’s premier security agencies. The selection process is a multi-tier examination that tests aptitude, knowledge and analytical writing.
Quick Overview
| Exam Name | IB ACIO Grade-II / Executive |
| Conducting Body | Intelligence Bureau (IB), Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Post | Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (Grade-II/Executive) |
| Qualification | Graduation (Bachelor’s Degree) |
| Selection Stages | Tier I (Objective), Tier II (Descriptive), Tier III (Interview) |
| Job Location | All India |
| Category | Central Government Intelligence Job |
IB ACIO 2026 Important Dates
The dates below are indicative. Candidates must confirm the exact schedule from the official Intelligence Bureau / MHA notification when released.
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | To be announced |
| Online Application Starts | As per notification |
| Last Date to Apply | As per notification |
| Tier I Exam | As per notification |
| Tier II Exam | After Tier I result |
| Tier III (Interview) | After Tier II |
| Final Result | As per notification |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | As per notification |
| SC / ST / PwD | Reduced / Exempted (as per notification) |
| All Female Candidates | As per notification |
IB ACIO 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| ACIO Grade-II/Executive | Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university. Knowledge of computer operations and typing may be considered desirable as per the notification. |
Age Limit
| Post | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| ACIO Grade-II/Executive | 18 to 27 years |
Age relaxation is applicable as per government rules: OBC +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, PwD as applicable, and additional relaxation for departmental candidates and Ex-Servicemen as per norms.
IB ACIO 2026 Selection Process
1
Tier I (Objective Test): An online objective test covering general subjects, reasoning, aptitude and English.
2
Tier II (Descriptive Test): An essay and precis/comprehension writing test to assess analytical and writing skills.
3
Tier III (Interview / Personality Test): Final assessment of suitability for the intelligence role.
4
Final Merit List: Prepared on the basis of combined performance across Tier I, Tier II and Tier III.
IB ACIO 2026 Exam Pattern
Tier I (Objective)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 20 | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 20 |
| Logical / Analytical Ability | 20 | 20 |
| English Language | 20 | 20 |
| General Studies / Current Affairs | 20 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Tier I has negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. Total Duration: 1 hour.
Tier II (Descriptive)
| Component | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 30 | 1 hour |
| English Comprehension & Precis Writing | 20 | — |
Tier III
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Interview / Personality Test | 100 |
IB ACIO 2026 Detailed Syllabus
🌍 General Awareness
- Current Affairs
- Indian History
- Geography
- Polity & Constitution
- General Science
- Economy
- Static GK
- Important Days
🔢 Quantitative Aptitude
- Number System
- Percentage
- Average
- Ratio & Proportion
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Work
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification
🧠 Logical / Analytical Ability
- Analogies
- Coding-Decoding
- Series
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Syllogism
- Puzzles
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
📘 English Language
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Reading Comprehension
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Improvement
- Fill in the Blanks
- One Word Substitution
📰 General Studies / Current Affairs
- National & International Events
- Government Schemes
- Awards & Honours
- Science & Technology
- Defence & Security
- Sports
- Books & Authors
- Important Days
✍️ Tier II: Descriptive
- Essay Writing
- Precis Writing
- Comprehension
- Idea Organization
- Grammar & Vocabulary
- Analytical Thinking
- Coherence
- Time Management
Best Preparation Strategy
📅 Build a Study Plan
- Cover all Tier I sections daily
- Practise essay & precis for Tier II
- Stay updated with current affairs
- Set weekly targets
📝 Practice & Mock Tests
- Solve previous papers
- Attempt full-length mocks
- Analyse mistakes
- Improve speed & accuracy
🎯 Interview Prep
- Improve communication skills
- Revise current affairs
- Practise mock interviews
- Build confidence
Important Books
| Subject | Recommended Focus |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | Static GK and current affairs digests |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic and shortcut methods |
| Reasoning | Verbal & non-verbal reasoning practice |
| English | Grammar, comprehension and essay writing |
Official Website
For the official notification, application form and authentic updates, always visit the official Intelligence Bureau (IB) / Ministry of Home Affairs website: https://www.mha.gov.in