The IB ACIO (Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer) exam is a recruitment exam conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the position of Grade II/Executive in the Intelligence Bureau. This is a Group ‘C’ (Non-Gazetted) position that plays a vital role in national security by collecting and analyzing intelligence, conducting surveillance, and executing field operations. 

Here’s a summary of the IB ACIO exam:

Exam structure and selection process

The selection process for IB ACIO Grade II/Executive involves multiple stages: 

1. Tier-I (Objective Type): This is a written examination with 100 marks, consisting of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions. The exam covers Current Affairs, General Studies, Numerical Aptitude, Reasoning/Logical Aptitude, and English. A negative marking of 1/4th mark applies for each wrong answer. The duration of this exam is 1 hour.
2. Tier-II (Descriptive Type): This descriptive test is worth 50 marks and includes an essay (30 marks) and English comprehension and precis writing (20 marks). The exam duration is 1 hour.
3. Interview: Candidates who qualify in Tier-I and Tier-II will be called for an interview round, worth 100 marks. 

The final merit list is based on the candidate’s performance in all stages. 

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the IB ACIO exam, candidates must meet the following criteria: 

• Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is required.
• Age Limit: Candidates should be between 18 and 27 years old as of August 10, 2025.
• Age Relaxation: Age relaxation is available for candidates from reserved categories, as per government norms. 

Salary and perks

IB ACIO officers receive a competitive salary and benefits package.

• Pay Scale: Level 7 in the pay matrix (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) plus admissible Central Government allowances.
• Additional Allowances: This includes Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), Special Security Allowance (20% of basic pay), and Children’s Education Allowance. 

Application process

The application window for the IB ACIO recruitment 2025 exam opens on July 19, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is August 10, 2025. 

1. Visit the official website: www.mha.gov.in.
2. Find the “IB ACIO Grade II/Executive Recruitment 2025” link and click on it.
3. Register on the portal using personal and contact details.
4. Log in and complete the application form, filling in all required details, including personal and educational information.
5. Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature in the specified format.
6. Pay the application fee online through the provided payment gateway. The fee is ₹650 for General, OBC, and EWS male candidates, and ₹550 for SC, ST, and female candidates.
7. Submit the application form and download or print a copy for your records. 

For more details, refer to the official notification released by the Ministry of Home Affairs on their website mha.gov.in.