The IB ACIO 2025 exam, conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is a gateway to securing one of the 3,717 vacancies for the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade II/Executive posts. This national-level exam, aimed at graduates aged 18-27, tests analytical, writing, and interpersonal skills through a three-tier selection process. In this mobile-optimized guide, we provide a detailed breakdown of the IB ACIO syllabus 2025, exam pattern, previous year cutoffs, and expert preparation tips to help you excel. Whether you're searching for IB ACIO syllabus 2025 PDF or how to prepare for IB ACIO 2025, this article from Career Power has you covered.
Key Highlights
Vacancies: 3,717 (General: 1537, OBC: 946, EWS: 442, SC/ST: Others)
Application Dates: July 19 to August 10, 2025
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree, age 18-27 (relaxations apply)
Salary: Level 7 (Rs. 44,900–1,42,400) + allowances
Selection Stages: Tier 1 (Objective), Tier 2 (Descriptive), Tier 3 (Interview)[]
IB aico career power


IB ACIO 2025 Exam Pattern

The IB ACIO exam pattern 2025 comprises three stages, each designed to evaluate distinct skills. Below is a detailed overview to guide your preparation for IB ACIO Tier 1 syllabus and beyond.

Tier 1: Objective Test

The Tier 1 exam is a 100-mark, 60-minute computer-based test (CBT) with multiple-choice questions (MCQs). It covers five subjects, each carrying 20 marks. A negative marking of ¼ mark applies for each wrong answer.

SubjectQuestionsMarksKey Topics
Current Affairs2020National/international events, government schemes
General Studies2020History, geography, polity, economy, science
Numerical Aptitude2020Arithmetic, algebra, mensuration
Reasoning & Logical Aptitude2020Puzzles, coding-decoding, syllogisms
English Language2020Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension
Total100100

Qualifying Marks (out of 100):

  • UR/EWS: 35
  • OBC: 34
  • SC/ST: 33
  • Ex-servicemen: Treated under respective categories

Tip: Practice time management to attempt all questions accurately within 60 minutes. Use our IB ACIO Tier 1 Mock Tests for practice.

Tier 2: Descriptive Test

The Tier 2 exam is a 50-mark, 60-minute offline descriptive test requiring a minimum of 33% (17 marks) to qualify for the interview. It focuses on writing and comprehension skills, with no negative marking.

ComponentMarksDescription
Essay Writing20-30400-500 words on current affairs, socio-political issues, or economics
English Comprehension & Précis10-20Summarize passages, answer comprehension questions
Long-Answer Questions20Two questions (10 marks each) on contemporary issues
Total50

Tip: Follow the essay structure: Introduction, Body, Conclusion. Practice with our Essay Writing Guide for IB ACIO.

Tier 3: Interview

The Tier 3 interview is a 100-mark personal assessment evaluating mental alertness, communication skills, and national security awareness. It may include a psychometric/aptitude test. The final merit list combines scores from all tiers, with normalization applied for multi-shift Tier 1 exams.

Interview Prep Tip
Stay updated on national security issues and practice mock interviews. Visit our [IB ACIO Interview Tips](https://www.careerpower.me/ib-acio-interview-preparation.html) for expert guidance.

IB ACIO 2025 Syllabus: Subject-Wise Breakdown

The IB ACIO syllabus 2025 is designed to test a candidate’s knowledge, reasoning, and communication abilities. Below is a detailed, subject-wise breakdown for IB ACIO Tier 1 syllabus and Tier 2 syllabus.

Tier 1 Syllabus

Current Affairs

This section tests awareness of recent events and developments:

  • National and international news (e.g., summits, agreements).
  • Government schemes (e.g., PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat).
  • Awards and honors (e.g., Nobel Prize, Bharat Ratna).
  • Defense exercises and technological advancements.

Resource: Follow our Daily Current Affairs Updates for comprehensive coverage.

General Studies

A broad section covering multiple disciplines:

  • History: Indian Freedom Struggle, ancient/medieval history.
  • Geography: Physical, social, economic geography (India and world).
  • Polity: Indian Constitution, governance, political system.
  • Economy: Budget, five-year plans, economic concepts.
  • Science & Technology: Recent developments, environmental studies, biology, physics, chemistry.
  • Static GK: Books and authors, capitals, currencies, important days.

Resource: Access our General Studies Notes for detailed study material.

Numerical Aptitude

Tests mathematical and problem-solving skills:

  • Number systems, LCM/HCF, percentages, ratios, proportions.
  • Profit and loss, simple/compound interest, averages.
  • Time and work, time and distance, mensuration.
  • Series completion, basic algebra, volume calculations.

Resource: Practice with our Quantitative Aptitude Questions.

Reasoning and Logical Aptitude

Focuses on logical and analytical thinking:

  • Coding-decoding, blood relations, syllogisms.
  • Puzzles, series, directions, analogies.
  • Statement-conclusions, seating arrangements, odd one out.
  • Cause and effect, decision making, verbal/non-verbal reasoning.

Resource: Enhance skills with our Reasoning Practice Sets.

English Language

Evaluates grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension:

  • Reading comprehension, cloze tests, error spotting.
  • Synonyms/antonyms, idioms, phrases.
  • Sentence rearrangement, active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech.
  • Fill in the blanks, one-word substitutions.

Resource: Improve with our English Language Tips.

Tier 2 Syllabus

The IB ACIO Tier 2 syllabus focuses on descriptive writing:

  • Essay Writing: Topics like national security, socio-political issues, economics (20-30 marks). Write 400-500 words in English, following a clear structure.
  • English Comprehension & Précis: Summarize passages and answer questions (10-20 marks).
  • Long-Answer Questions: Two questions (10 marks each) on current affairs or contemporary issues.

Note: Essays must be in English, with no language choice. Practice with our Descriptive Writing Guide.

Previous Year Cutoffs for IB ACIO

The IB ACIO cutoff 2025 will be released post-exam, but analyzing previous year cutoffs helps gauge the exam’s difficulty and set score targets. Below are category-wise cutoffs for Tier 1 and Tier 2 from recent years.

IB ACIO Tier 1 Cutoffs (Out of 100)

YearUROBCSCSTEWS
20237570656070
20217268625868
201770656055-

IB ACIO Tier 2 Cutoffs (Out of 50)

YearUROBCSCSTEWS
20233028252528
20212826242426
201727252323-

Note: Cutoffs depend on exam difficulty, number of candidates, and vacancies. The 2025 cutoffs may vary due to the high vacancy count (3,717). Ex-servicemen are treated under their respective categories.

Cutoff Insights
- **Tier 1**: Aim for 80+ marks to safely clear UR cutoff, considering increased competition.
- **Tier 2**: Score at least 35/50 to comfortably meet the 33% qualifying mark.
- Check our [IB ACIO Cutoff Analysis](https://www.careerpower.me/ib-acio-cutoff.html) for detailed trends.

Preparation Tips for IB ACIO 2025

To master the IB ACIO 2025 syllabus, follow these mobile-friendly tips tailored for how to prepare for IB ACIO 2025:

  1. Understand the Syllabus: Download the IB ACIO Syllabus 2025 PDF to prioritize key topics.
  2. Create a Study Plan: Allocate time for each subject, focusing on weak areas. Use our IB ACIO Study Plan.
  3. Practice Mock Tests: Take weekly mocks to improve speed and accuracy. Access our IB ACIO Mock Tests.
  4. Solve Previous Year Papers: Understand question trends with our IB ACIO Previous Year Papers.
  5. Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Read newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and follow our Daily Current Affairs.
  6. Essay Writing Practice: Write essays on diverse topics to enhance Tier 2 performance. Refer to our Essay Writing Guide.
  7. Time Management: Practice solving Tier 1 questions within 60 minutes to handle time pressure.
  8. Revise Regularly: Make concise notes for quick revision, especially for formulas and static GK.
Recommended Books
- IB ACIO Guide by R. Gupta: Covers all sections with practice questions.
- General Knowledge 2025 by Manohar Pandey: For current affairs and static GK.
- Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal: For numerical aptitude.
- Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal: For reasoning practice.
- Find more at our [IB ACIO Book Recommendations](https://www.careerpower.me/ib-acio-books.html).[](https://prepp.in/ib-acio-exam)

Why Choose Career Power for IB ACIO 2025 Preparation?

At Career Power, we offer:

  • Mobile-Optimized Resources: Access study materials, mock tests, and PDFs on the go.
  • Expert Guidance: Get tips from toppers and faculty through our IB ACIO Coaching.
  • Comprehensive Content: From syllabus PDFs to previous year papers, we cover all your needs.
  • Daily Updates: Stay informed with our Current Affairs for IB ACIO.

Conclusion

The IB ACIO 2025 exam is a golden opportunity to join the Intelligence Bureau, with a robust syllabus testing diverse skills. By mastering the IB ACIO syllabus 2025 and exam pattern, practicing regularly, and leveraging resources from Career Power, you can secure a top score. Aim high, stay consistent, and use our mobile-friendly tools to prepare anytime, anywhere. Start your journey today and conquer the IB ACIO 2025 exam!