The Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (IB ACIO) examination is one of the most prestigious exams conducted in India. It is the best opportunity for aspirants aiming for a career in India’s internal intelligence agency. Candidates who are planning to appear in this they must go through the IB ACIO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025 once so that they can start their preparation systematically. This will also help them to create their study plan so that they can focus on each section or topic regularly with regular practice. To help them in their preparation, this blog has provided a detailed IB ACIO syllabus 2025 and exam pattern for all stages of the exam with their selection process. You are advised to attempt a free mock test so that you become able to check your preparation level and exam level.
IB ACIO Syllabus 2025: Overview
The Intelligence Bureau of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) conducts the IB ACIO exam to recruit candidates for ACIO Grade II/ Executive posts. If you are preparing for the exam, then you must know about the exam, such as the number of questions asked in the exam, the topics that can appear in the exam, and much more. Below, we have provided an overview in a table format related to the IB ACIO syllabus and exam pattern 2025.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IB ACIO (Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer) |
| Conducting Body | Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) |
| Selection Process | Tier 1 (Objective) → Tier 2 (Descriptive) → Interview |
| Tier 1 Total Marks | 100 marks |
| Tier 1 Exam Duration | 60 minutes |
| Tier 1 Subjects | General Awareness, Quant, Reasoning, English, General Studies |
| Tier 1 Marking Scheme | +1 for correct answer, -0.25 for incorrect answer |
| Tier 2 Total Marks | 50 marks |
| Tier 2 Exam Duration | 60 minutes |
| Tier 2 Subjects | Essay Writing (30 marks), Comprehension & Precis (20 marks) |
| Interview Marks | 100 marks |
| Medium of Exam | English and Hindi (Tier 1 objective) |
| Final Selection Criteria | Cumulative performance in Tier 1, Tier 2 & Interview |
Know the IB ACIO Selection Process Before Knowing the Syllabus
Understanding the selection process is key to prioritizing your preparation:
- Tier 1: 100-mark objective test; 60 minutes
- Tier 2: 50-mark descriptive paper; 60 minutes
- Interview: 100 marks; assessing personality and suitability
Only candidates qualifying in Tier 1 will be called for Tier 2, and then the interview.
IB ACIO Exam Pattern 2025 for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Exams
Before going through the IB ACIO syllabus 2025, you must go through the exam pattern. Knowing the exam pattern is important before the syllabus because it will help you to know how many sections are included in the exam, the number of questions that will be asked from a particular section, the division of marks among the sections, negative marking, exam duration, and much more.
Tier 1 Exam Pattern:
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Duration: 1 hour
- Negative Marking: ¼ for every wrong answer
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 20 | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 20 |
| Logical/Analytical Ability | 20 | 20 |
| English Language | 20 | 20 |
| General Studies | 20 | 20 |
Tier 2 Exam Pattern:
- Essay Writing (30 marks)
- English Comprehension & Precis (20 marks)
- Duration: 60 minutes
| IB ACIO Tier-2 Exam Pattern 2025 | ||
| Papers | Maximum Marks | Time |
| Essay | 30 | 1 Hour |
| English comprehension & précis writing | 20 | |
| Total | 50 | 1 Hour |
IB ACIO Syllabus 2025 Subject-wise
Preparation for the IB ACIO 2025 exam can be tough or hectic. So, due to that, it’s time to know the topics that can be covered in the IB ACIO 2025 exam, because without it, you can not start your preparation. This will help you know your weak areas and topics that require less focus. Below, we have provided the section-wise IB ACIO syllabus 2025. So go through it so that you can start your preparation for the exam.
IB ACIO Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
Quantitative aptitude tests your problem-solving skills. Practice is the key to success; more practice means better speed and accuracy. Don’t be scared of math; most questions come from basic school-level concepts. To know the types of questions that can be asked in the exam, you can attempt our free IB ACIO 2025 mock test.
1. Arithmetic
- Number Systems
- Computation of Whole Numbers
- Fundamental Arithmetical Operations
- Fractions
- Decimals
- LCM and HCF
- Averages
- Age Problems
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentages
- Profit and Loss
- Discount
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work
- Time and Distance
- Prices and Expenditure Problems
2. Algebra
- Algebraic Expressions
- Factoring
- Linear Equations
- Quadratic Equations
- Operations Research & Linear Programming
3. Geometry and Mensuration
- Analytical Geometry
- Differential Geometry
- Mensuration (2D and 3D)
- Volume
- Area and Perimeter
4. Trigonometry & Calculus
- Trigonometric Ratios and Identities
- Differential Equations
- Calculus
- Real Analysis
5. Statistics and Data Interpretation
- Use of Tables and Graphs
- Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation, etc.)
- Series Completion
- Missing Numbers
6. Advanced Mathematics
- Essential Mathematics
- Dynamics
- Operations Research
- Differential Equations
IB ACIO General Studies Syllabus 2025
Often mixed with General Awareness, this section focuses more on theoretical and factual topics from history, geography, polity, and science. A smart strategy is to go through the NCERTs and short notes regularly.
- Indian Freedom Struggle
- Indian Political System
- Fundamental Rights & Duties
- Geography: Physical, Social, Economic
- Indian & World History
- Constitution & Amendments
- Indian Culture and Heritage
- Scientific Developments
- Environmental Studies & Ecology
- Basics of Computer and IT
IB ACIO Logical / Analytical Ability (Reasoning) Syllabus 2025
Here’s where your thinking ability is tested. The questions might look tricky at first, but regular practice will make solving puzzles and logic questions fun and easy.
1. Verbal Reasoning
- Analogy & Classification
- Alphanumeric Series
- Reasoning Analogies
- Odd One Out
- Series Completion
- Statement-Based Reasoning
- Statement and Assumptions
- Statement and Conclusions
- Cause and Effect
- Decision Making
- Coding & Language
- Coding-Decoding
- Artificial Language
- Direction & Sequence
- Directions
- Order and Ranking
2. Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Puzzles (Seating Arrangement, Floor Puzzle, etc.)
- Input-Output
- Blood Relations
3. Logical & Analytical Reasoning
- Data Sufficiency
- Calendars
- Clocks
IB ACIO English Language Syllabus 2025
This section is all about your understanding of English grammar, vocabulary, and reading skills. A good habit of reading books, newspapers, and learning new words will help you a lot here.
- Reading Comprehension
- Error Spotting
- Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Sentence Rearrangement (Para Jumbles)
- Cloze Test
- One Word Substitution
- Idioms and Phrases
- Active and Passive Voice
- Direct and Indirect Speech
- Spelling Correction
IB ACIO Syllabus 2025 for General Awareness
This section checks how well you’re updated with the world around you, which includes news, history, politics, and events. A strong grip here can give you an edge, especially if you stay consistent with reading newspapers and revising static GK. To stay updated with the current affairs part, you can attempt our free weekly current affairs quizzes on PracticeMock’s official website.
- Current Affairs (National & International)
- Indian History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
- Indian Polity & Constitution
- Geography (India and World)
- Indian Economy & Budget
- Government Schemes and Policies
- Science & Technology Developments
- Important Days & Events
- Awards & Honors
- Sports, Books & Authors
IB ACIO Interview Process
Candidates who pass the tier 1 and 2 exams will be called for the interview round. It is the most important and last round of the recruitment process. This interview carries 100 marks and is designed to assess whether you’re truly fit for a career in the Intelligence Bureau (IB). It’s not just about how much you know; it’s about how you think, communicate, and carry yourself.
During the interview, the panel will evaluate:
- Your overall personality
- How you handle questions and pressure
- Your awareness of national and international issues
- Your confidence and communication skills
- Your motivation for joining the Intelligence Bureau
Keep Your Preparation Continued With Our Free Resources
I hope you have gone through the IB ACIO syllabus and exam pattern 2025. Now, it’s time to start the preparation for the IB ACIO 2025 exam. You do not need to spend lacks of money to start your preparation. For your convenience, we have provided some free preparation resources, which include topic-wise tests and a free mock test. Links are provided below.
| Click for Mock Test -> | IB ACIO Free Mock Test |
| Click for CA -> | Free Weekly Current Affairs Tests |
| Click for Quant -> | Quantitative Aptitude Free Topic Tests |
| Click for Reasoning -> | General Reasoning Free Topic Tests |
| Click for English -> | English Comprehension Free Topic Tests |
| Click for SSC GA -> | General Awareness Free Topic Tests |
FAQs on IB ACIO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025
You can get the detailed IB ACIO Syllabus 2025 and exam pattern in this blog.
The selection process has three stages:
– Tier 1 – Objective-type written test (100 marks)
– Tier 2 – Descriptive test (50 marks)
– Interview – Personality assessment (100 marks)
Final selection is based on your combined performance in all three stages.
The Tier 1 exam consists of 100 questions, each carrying 1 mark. There are five sections, and each section has 20 questions.
Yes, ¼ mark (0.25) is deducted for every wrong answer in Tier 1. So, it’s important to avoid guessing the answers.
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