MHA IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 - 3717 Vacancies
Ministry of Home Affairs Intelligence Bureau announces recruitment for 3717 Assistant Central Intelligence Officer positions. Apply online from 19 July to 10 August 2025.
Important Dates
- Application Begin: 19/07/2025
- Last Date for Apply Online: 10/08/2025
- Pay Exam Fee Last Date: 10/08/2025
- Offline Fee Payment Last Date: 12/08/2025
- Exam Date: As per Schedule
- Admit Card: Before Exam
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹650/-
- SC / ST / PH: ₹550/-
- Payment Mode: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking
Age Limit (as on 10/08/2025)
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age: 27 Years
- Age Relaxation as per government norms for reserved categories
About Intelligence Bureau and ACIO Role
What is Intelligence Bureau?
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) is India's internal intelligence agency, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Established in 1887, it is responsible for gathering intelligence within India and executing counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism tasks. The IB plays a crucial role in maintaining national security and internal stability.
Role of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO)
ACIOs are responsible for collecting and analyzing intelligence information critical to national security. Key responsibilities include:
- Gathering intelligence from various sources
- Analyzing security threats and preparing reports
- Maintaining confidential records and databases
- Coordinating with other security agencies
- Conducting background verification of sensitive personnel
- Monitoring activities that may threaten internal security
Career Insight:
An ACIO position offers a challenging and prestigious career in national security. Officers receive specialized training and have opportunities for advancement to higher positions within the intelligence community.
IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 Vacancy Details
Total Posts: 3717
Category-wise Vacancy Distribution
| Category | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 1537 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 946 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 442 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 566 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 226 |
| Total | 3717 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualifications
- Essential: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university
- Preferred: Degrees in Law, Criminology, Political Science, International Relations, or related fields
- Candidates in their final year can apply if they can provide proof of passing before document verification
Age Limit (as on 10/08/2025)
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age: 27 Years
- Age Relaxation:
- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- PWD: 10 years
- Ex-servicemen: As per government norms
Physical and Medical Standards
Selected candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Sound physical and mental health
- Normal vision (corrected vision permitted)
- No chronic diseases or disabilities affecting job performance
- Specific requirements will be detailed in the medical examination guidelines
Selection Process
Stages of Selection
- Tier-I Examination: Objective type test (Online)
- Tier-II Examination: Descriptive paper (Offline)
- Interview: Personality and aptitude assessment
- Document Verification: Verification of educational and category certificates
- Medical Examination: Fitness assessment as per IB standards
Exam Pattern - Tier I
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs | 20 | 20 | 60 minutes |
| General Studies | 20 | 20 | |
| Numerical Aptitude | 20 | 20 | |
| Reasoning & Logical Aptitude | 20 | 20 | |
| English Language | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Exam Pattern - Tier II
| Section | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing (English) | 30 | 60 minutes |
| Comprehension and Précis Writing | 20 | |
| Total | 50 |
Salary Structure and Benefits
Pay Scale
- Pay Level: Level 7 (7th Pay Commission)
- Pay Scale: ₹44,900 - ₹1,42,400
- Initial Salary: Approximately ₹55,000 per month (including allowances)
Allowances and Benefits
Financial Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Travel Allowance (TA)
- Special Duty Allowance
- Risk Allowance
Additional Benefits
- Medical coverage for employee and family
- Pension benefits after retirement
- Subsidized accommodation facilities
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
Career Growth
- Promotion to higher grades based on performance
- Opportunities for specialized training
- Inter-departmental transfer options
- Posting in various locations across India
How to Apply for IB ACIO Recruitment 2025
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit Official Portal: Go to the MHA recruitment website
- New Registration: Create an account with email and mobile number
- Fill Application Form:
- Personal details (name, father's name, DOB)
- Contact information (address, mobile, email)
- Educational qualifications
- Category and reservation details
- Work experience (if any)
- Upload Documents:
- Recent photograph (JPEG, 50-100 KB)
- Signature (JPEG, 20-50 KB)
- Educational certificates
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- ID proof
- Payment of Fees: Pay through available online modes
- Final Submission: Review all details before final submission
- Print Application: Download and preserve the application form
Important Notes:
- All documents must be scanned in prescribed format and size
- Name on application must match educational certificates exactly
- Keep registration number and password safe for future reference
- No changes will be allowed after final submission
- Applications with incorrect information will be rejected
How to Prepare for IB ACIO Exam 2025
Preparation Strategy
- Understand Syllabus: Thoroughly analyze the exam pattern and syllabus
- Create Study Plan: Allocate time for each subject based on weightage
- Study Materials:
- Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant
- Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
- Lucent's General Knowledge
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- Practice Previous Papers: Solve last 5 years question papers
- Current Affairs: Focus on national and international events (last 1 year)
- Mock Tests: Take regular tests to improve speed and accuracy
Section-wise Preparation Tips
| Section | Preparation Focus | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs | National & international events, government schemes, awards | 20% |
| General Studies | Indian history, geography, polity, economy, science | 20% |
| Numerical Aptitude | Simplification, percentages, averages, data interpretation | 20% |
| Reasoning | Logical puzzles, coding-decoding, series, analogies | 20% |
| English Language | Grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, error detection | 20% |
Expert Tip:
For Tier-II descriptive paper:
- Practice essay writing on current affairs topics
- Improve précis writing skills
- Focus on clear and concise expression
- Develop good handwriting (for offline exam)
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no physical test for IB ACIO selection. However, selected candidates must undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet the required health standards for the position.
Yes, candidates from all states and union territories of India are eligible to apply for IB ACIO positions, provided they meet the educational and age criteria. The recruitment is conducted on an all-India basis.
The probation period for IB ACIO is typically 2 years. During this period, candidates undergo training and their performance is evaluated. Confirmation in service is subject to satisfactory completion of probation.
Candidates can apply for only one position in the IB ACIO recruitment. Multiple applications from the same candidate will lead to disqualification.
The selection ratio varies each year, but typically about 1% of applicants are finally selected. The approximate selection stages are:
- Tier I: 20-25% qualify for Tier II
- Tier II: 10-15% qualify for interview
- Final selection: About 5-8% of interviewed candidates
Selected candidates undergo a rigorous training program of 6-9 months at IB training facilities. The training includes:
- Intelligence gathering techniques
- Security protocols
- Report writing
- Field operations
- Legal aspects of intelligence work
Yes, women are encouraged to apply for IB ACIO positions. There are no gender-based restrictions in the recruitment process. Female candidates receive the same salary and benefits as their male counterparts.
IB ACIOs can be posted anywhere in India based on organizational requirements. The initial posting is typically at IB headquarters or regional offices, but field postings are common. Transfers are a regular feature of the job.
For the interview stage:
- Prepare for questions on current national and international affairs
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of national security challenges
- Review basic concepts of intelligence work
- Practice situational judgment questions
- Be prepared for psychological assessment
IB ACIOs have a structured career path:
- Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO)
- Deputy Central Intelligence Officer (DCIO)
- Central Intelligence Officer (CIO)
- Assistant Director
- Deputy Director
- Joint Director