📅 Schedule & Key Deadlines
Official Notification Release:
July – August 2026 (Expected)
Online Application Window:
To Be Announced
Tier 1 Written Exam (CBT):
October 2026 (Expected)
Tier 2 Exam & Interviews:
Late 2026 / Early 2027
📊 IB ACIO Exam Overview
Conducting Authority:
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
Post Name:
ACIO Grade-II / Executive
Post Classification:
Group ‘C’ (Non-Gazetted)
Application Mode:
Strictly Online
IB ACIO Vacancy 2026 Details & Category-Wise Breakup
💼 Vacancy Expectations (Based on Past Trends)
Expected Total Vacancies (2026):
2,000 – 3,717 Posts
General (Unreserved / UR):
~ 989 to 1,537 Posts
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer):
~ 417 Posts
Scheduled Caste (SC):
~ 360 Posts
Scheduled Tribe (ST):
~ 121 Posts
Economically Weaker (EWS):
~ 113 Posts
👑 Job Profile & Location
Primary Job Role:
Intelligence gathering, National Security
Job Location / Posting:
All India Service Liability (Anywhere in India)
Nature of Post:
General Central Service
Ministry:
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
IB ACIO Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit & Qualifications
👤 Age Limits & Target Category Relaxations
General & EWS Age Cap:
18 to 27 Years Maximum
OBC Candidates Age Cap:
Relaxable by 3 Years (Up to 30 Yrs)
SC / ST Candidates Age Cap:
Relaxable by 5 Years (Up to 32 Yrs)
Departmental Candidates:
Up to 40 Years (With 3 yrs regular service)
Meritorious Sportspersons:
Relaxable up to 5 Years
🎓 Academic & Technical Parameters
Essential Qualification:
Graduation / Degree in Any Discipline
Recognized By:
Any recognized University / Institute
Desirable Qualification:
Basic Knowledge of Computers
Number of Attempts:
No Restriction (Until Age Limit Reached)
Final Year Students:
Must have degree before cutoff date
IB ACIO Salary 2026 & Career Progression
💰 Compensation & Allowances
Basic Pay Scale Level:
Level 7 (7th CPC Pay Matrix)
Pay Band:
₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Estimated In-Hand Salary:
₹44,000 to ₹48,000+ per month
Perks & Benefits:
DA, HRA, Travel & Special Security Allowance
📈 Career Progression Timeline
1st Promotion:
ACIO Grade-I/Executive (Group B, Level 8)
2nd Promotion:
Deputy Central Intelligence Officer (Level 9-10)
Highest Levels:
Joint Director / Additional Director (Level 12-13A)
IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2026 (Tier 1, Tier 2 & Interview)
📝 Tier 1: Objective Examination (CBT)
Mode of Exam:
Online Computer Based Test (CBT)
Total Questions & Marks:
100 Questions / 100 Marks
Time Duration:
1 Hour (60 Minutes)
Negative Marking:
0.25 (1/4th) Deducted per Wrong Answer
Sectional Timing:
No Sectional Timing (Overall 1 Hour)
🤝 Tier 2 & Tier 3 Evaluation
Tier 2 Format:
Descriptive Paper (Pen and Paper Mode)
Tier 2 Total Marks & Time:
50 Marks / 1 Hour
Tier 2 Qualifying Minimum:
33% Minimum Score Required (17/50)
Tier 3 (Interview) Marks:
100 Marks
Grand Total Weightage:
250 Marks Overall
Detailed IB ACIO Syllabus 2026 for Tier 1 (Subject-Wise)
📚 Core Syllabus Subjects (Tier 1 – 5 Sections of 20 Marks Each)
Covering foundational aptitude and national intelligence awareness:
Current Affairs (National & International)
General Studies (History, Polity, Geography)
Numerical Aptitude (Algebra, Mensuration)
Logical & Analytical Reasoning
English Language (Grammar & Vocab)
Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Data Interpretation & Statistics
Indian Economy & Finance
IB ACIO Tier 2 Descriptive Syllabus & Interview Parameters
✍️ Tier 2: Descriptive Paper Breakdown
Essay Writing (30 Marks):
Topics on National Security, Social Issues, and Current Events
Language Medium:
Must be written in English Only
Comprehension (10 Marks):
Passage-based reading & answering
Précis Writing (10 Marks):
Summarization & analytical writing
🎙️ Tier 3: Interview Assessment
Core Objective:
Assess personality, mental alertness, and communication skills
Key Assessment Areas:
General Awareness & Psychological Suitability
Psychometric Tests:
May be part of the interview process
IB ACIO Cut-off Marks 2026: Qualifying Benchmarks
📈 Minimum Qualifying Cut-offs for Tier 1 (Out of 100)
General (UR) Cut-off Rule:
Minimum 35 Marks (Expected actual cutoff: 65-70)
OBC / EWS Cut-off Rule:
Minimum 34 & 35 Marks (Expected actual cutoff: 55-65)
SC / ST Cut-off Rule:
Minimum 33 Marks (Expected actual cutoff: 45-50)
Selection Ratio to Tier 2:
10 Times the number of vacancies are shortlisted
How to Apply Online for IB ACIO 2026 Exam
💻 Registration & Form Fill-up Steps
Official Portals:
mha.gov.in OR ncs.gov.in
Photograph Format:
35mm x 45mm, Colored, Not older than 12 weeks
Signature Format:
Black Ink Pen on White Paper (50-100kb JPG)
💳 Application & Processing Fees
General / OBC (Male):
₹550 (₹100 Exam Fee + ₹450 Processing)
SC / ST / Female Candidates:
₹450 (Processing charges only)
Payment Methods:
Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, UPI
IB ACIO Preparation Strategy 2026 (Based on Trending Queries)
💡 Expert Tips & Recommended Mock Strategies
1. Consistent Mock Tests:
Take full-length mocks online; analyze time taken as Tier 1 provides only 60 mins for 100 Qs.
2. Focus on Current Affairs:
Crucial for both General Awareness (Tier 1) and Essay Writing (Tier 2). Study 6-8 months prior.
3. Enhance Short Notes:
Since topics span broadly across basic science and polity, memory-based short notes help in last-week revisions.
4. English Descriptive Practice:
Start writing 300-400 word essays on socio-political and economic issues to pass the 33% minimum cut-off in Tier 2.