The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reportedly released the notification for the recruitment of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for 2025. This recruitment drive aims to fill 3,717 vacancies, offering a prestigious opportunity for graduates to serve in one of India’s premier intelligence agencies. The IB ACIO role involves critical responsibilities related to national security and intelligence gathering, making it a highly sought-after position for aspiring candidates.
This guide provides detailed information on the application process, eligibility criteria, selection process, and other essential details to help candidates navigate the IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 effectively.
MHA Intelligence Bureau IB ACIO Online Form Important Dates
The following dates are based on information from multiple sources and should be verified on the official MHA website:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | July 18, 2025 |
| Application Start Date | July 19, 2025 |
| Application Last Date | August 10, 2025 |
| Fee Payment Last Date (SBI Challan) | August 12, 2025 |
Note: Exam dates for Tier-I and Tier-II will be announced later on the official website.
MHA Intelligence Bureau IB ACIO Online Form Vacancy Details
The IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 is set to fill 3,717 vacancies for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Executive. The vacancies are distributed across various categories as follows:
| Category | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 1,537 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 946 |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 442 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 566 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 226 |
| Total | 3,717 |
These positions fall under Grade-II, Group C (Non-Ministerial Executive, Non-Gazetted), and reservations are applied as per central government norms for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD categories.
MHA Intelligence Bureau IB ACIO Online Form eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the IB ACIO Grade-II/Executive position, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality: Candidates must be citizens of India and provide relevant document proof.
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years old as of August 10, 2025. Age relaxations are provided as per government rules:
- SC/ST: +5 years
- OBC: +3 years
- Departmental candidates: Up to 40 years
- Widows/Divorced Women (General): Up to 35 years
- Widows/Divorced Women (SC/ST): Up to 40 years
- Ex-servicemen, J&K domicile (1980–1989), Communal riots 2002 victims, and meritorious sportspersons: +5 years
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent, obtained on or before August 10, 2025.
- Desirable Qualification: Basic knowledge of computers is desirable, as the role involves handling data and communication tools.
Application Process
Candidates can apply online through the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs at mha.gov.in or the National Career Service portal at ncs.gov.in. The direct link to the application form is here.
Steps to Apply
- Visit mha.gov.in or ncs.gov.in.
- Locate and click on the “IB ACIO Grade II 2025 Online Form” link, available from July 19, 2025.
- Register using a valid email ID and phone number to receive a User ID and Password (sent to registered email/mobile; overseas candidates receive it via email only).
- Log in with the User ID and Password to complete the application form.
- Provide accurate details, including Name, Date of Birth, Mobile Number, and Email Address, as these cannot be changed after registration.
- Upload scanned copies of a recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee as per your category.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Note: Applications must be submitted online only, as offline applications will not be accepted. Candidates should apply early to avoid technical issues on the last date.
Application Fee
The application fee structure is as follows:
| Category | Exam Fee | Recruitment Processing Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/EWS/OBC (Male) | Rs. 100 | Rs. 550 | Rs. 650 |
| General/EWS/OBC (Female), SC/ST, ExSM | Nil | Rs. 550 | Rs. 550 |
Payment can be made through:
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Net Banking
- SBI Challan (last date for payment via challan is August 12, 2025)
Selection Process
The selection process for IB ACIO Grade-II/Executive consists of three stages:
- Tier-I: Objective Test (100 marks, 1 hour)
- Sections: General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English, General Studies
- Format: 100 multiple-choice questions
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
- Cut-off (based on 2020 trends): UR: 35, OBC/EWS: 34, SC/ST: 33
- Candidates are shortlisted for Tier-II based on performance and normalization of marks.
- Tier-II: Descriptive Test (50 marks, 1 hour)
- Components:
- Essay Writing (30 marks)
- English Comprehension & Précis Writing (20 marks)
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 33%
- Candidates (approximately 10 times the number of vacancies) are shortlisted for Tier-III.
- Components:
- Tier-III: Interview (100 marks)
- Assesses personality, aptitude, and suitability for intelligence work.
- May include a psychometric/aptitude test.
- Candidates (approximately 5 times the number of vacancies) are shortlisted for the final selection, followed by character/antecedent verification and medical examination.
Pay Scale
Selected candidates will be appointed under Level 7 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), with a monthly salary ranging from Rs. 44,900 to Rs. 1,42,400. Additional allowances include:
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- Transport Allowance (TA)
- Special Security Allowance (20%)
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Tier-I Exam Pattern
| Section | Marks |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 |
| English Language | 20 |
| General Studies | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
- Duration: 1 hour
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
Tier-II Exam Pattern
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 30 |
| English Comprehension & Précis Writing | 20 |
| Total | 50 |
- Duration: 1 hour
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 33%
Syllabus Overview
- General Awareness: Current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, science, and technology.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation, number systems.
- Logical Reasoning: Analogies, coding-decoding, blood relations, puzzles, series.
- English Language: Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, sentence correction.
- General Studies: Indian history, culture, environment, and governance.
For a detailed syllabus, candidates should refer to the official notification or resources like Career Power.
Some Useful Important Links |
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Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the detailed syllabus for Tier-I and Tier-II to focus your preparation.
- Practice Previous Papers: Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Time Management: Practice time-bound mock tests to improve speed and accuracy for Tier-I.
- Enhance Writing Skills: For Tier-II, practice essay writing and précis writing to improve clarity and coherence.
- Stay Updated: Regularly read newspapers and follow current affairs for General Awareness.
- Mock Interviews: Prepare for the Tier-III interview by practicing communication and aptitude-based questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the last date to apply for IB ACIO 2025? | August 10, 2025, with fee payment via SBI Challan until August 12, 2025. |
| Where can I apply for IB ACIO 2025? | Online at mha.gov.in or ncs.gov.in. Direct link: here. |
| What is the age limit for IB ACIO 2025? | 18–27 years as of August 10, 2025, with relaxations for reserved categories. |
| What is the selection process? | Tier-I (Objective Test), Tier-II (Descriptive Test), Tier-III (Interview). |
| What is the salary for IB ACIO Grade-II? | Rs. 44,900–1,42,400 (Level 7) plus allowances like HRA, DA, TA, and SSA. |
Conclusion
The IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 is a golden opportunity for graduates to join the Intelligence Bureau and contribute to national security. With 3,717 vacancies, this recruitment drive is one of the largest in recent years. Candidates are advised to carefully read the official notification on mha.gov.in to confirm eligibility and application details. Apply early to avoid technical issues, and prepare diligently for the three-tier selection process to secure this prestigious role.
For any further queries or clarifications, candidates can refer to the official website or contact the helpdesk (email: helpdesk.bharti@nic.in, phone: 022-61087529, available 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Saturday).