The Intelligence Bureau, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, recruits Assistant Central Intelligence Officers, Grade-II/Executive for India’s internal security and intelligence apparatus.
Advertisement
It is a Pay Level 7 post at a basic of ₹44,900 — the same level as an SSC CGL Income Tax Inspector. What separates it is a Special Security Allowance of 20% of basic pay, an allowance no other post in this series carries, plus cash compensation for duty performed on holidays.
The 2025 cycle notified 3,717 vacancies — against 995 in 2023 — and concluded with the final result on 3 June 2026. The 2026 notification has not been released, and IB does not recruit annually; it recruits periodically, typically every one to two years, based on requirement.
Advertisement
This guide is written for candidates preparing ahead of the next notification.
Overview
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Post | Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO), Grade-II/Executive |
| Classification | General Central Service, Group ‘C’ — Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial |
| Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| Age | 18 to 27 years |
| Pay Level | Level 7, ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Unique allowance | Special Security Allowance — 20% of basic pay |
| Stages | Tier 1 (100) → Tier 2 (50) → Interview (100) → DV → Medical |
| Training | Approximately 60–70 days, paid |
| 2025 vacancies | 3,717 |
| 2026 notification | Not released — expected later in 2026 |
| Portals | mha.gov.in and the NCS Portal, ncs.gov.in |
1. Eligibility
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Graduation or equivalent from a recognised university — any discipline |
| Computer knowledge | Desirable, given the modern approach to intelligence gathering |
| Age | 18 to 27 years, with relaxation per Government of India norms |
| Nationality | Indian citizens only — valid proof required at verification |
| Posting | Anywhere in India |
Note what is absent. There is no minimum percentage — unlike RBI Grade B, which requires 60%. There is no stream restriction. There is no experience requirement.
The minimum age of 18 is also notable — the lowest of any graduate post in this series, and lower than IBPS PO (20), RBI Grade B (21), LIC AAO (21) and UPSC CSE (21). A candidate who completes graduation early can apply immediately.
2. Salary and Allowances
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 7, 7th CPC pay matrix |
| Pay scale | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Basic pay | ₹44,900 — increases after a year of service |
| Special Security Allowance (SSA) | 20% of basic pay |
| Cash compensation | For duty performed on holidays, subject to a ceiling of 30 days per year |
| Other allowances | DA, HRA (X/Y/Z classification), TA |
The Special Security Allowance
This is the distinguishing feature of ACIO compensation.
At 20% of basic pay, the SSA adds approximately ₹8,980 per month at entry, on top of the standard central government allowance structure.
Compare directly: an SSC CGL Income Tax Inspector sits at the same Level 7 with the same ₹44,900 basic — and receives no equivalent allowance. The SSA is what separates two posts that look identical on the pay matrix.
Note a source discrepancy: most sources state the SSA is 20% of basic pay; at least one describes it as 20% of DA. The former is the more widely stated position. Confirm in the notification.
Reported In-Hand Figures
| Stage | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| During training | Approximately ₹63,000 — Basic + DA + SSA |
| Post-training, routine postings | Approximately ₹76,000 gross |
| Post-training, challenging assignments | Approximately ₹90,000 gross — including Hardship Allowance and ration money |
Sources conflict. One places monthly in-hand at ₹44,000 – ₹55,000; others at ₹63,000 during training rising to ₹76,000 – ₹90,000 post-training. The variation reflects city classification, posting type and allowance eligibility. Treat the figures as indicative and confirm against the notification.
Training
Approximately 60 to 70 days at the IB training facility after final selection. Candidates receive salary and allowances during training.
3. Vacancy History
| Cycle | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,717 |
| 2023 | 995 |
| 2026 | Not announced — estimates of 2,000–3,000 circulate, but these are projections |
The 2025 expansion was substantial — nearly four times the 2023 count — reflecting expansion of the intelligence framework.
Any 2026 figure currently in circulation is an estimate. The count is confirmed only in the notification.
4. Selection Process
| Stage | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 100 | Objective, online |
| Tier 2 | 50 | Descriptive |
| Interview (Tier 3) | 100 | Personality assessment |
| Document Verification | — | — |
| Medical Examination | — | — |
The Structure That Should Shape Preparation
Note the marks distribution carefully.
Tier 2 carries 50 marks. The Interview carries 100.
The interview is worth double the descriptive paper. This is unusual — in IBPS PO the interview is 20% of the final score; in RBI Grade B it is 75 against Phase II’s 300. In IB ACIO, the interview carries more weight than the entire descriptive stage.
The practical consequence: a candidate who treats the interview as a formality after clearing two papers has misread the examination. The interview is the largest single scoring component in the process.
Shortlisting Ratios
| Stage | Basis |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 → Tier 2 | Approximately 10 times the number of vacancies, on performance and normalisation of marks in Tier 1 |
| Tier 2 → Interview | Approximately 5 times the number of vacancies, on combined Tier 1 and Tier 2 scores |
To qualify for the interview, candidates must score at least 33% — 17 out of 50 — in Tier 2.
On the final merit: sources differ. Several state that Tier 1 is purely qualifying and its marks are not added to the final merit, which rests on Tier 2 and the Interview. Others describe the combined Tier 1 and Tier 2 score as determining interview status. Both may be true simultaneously — Tier 1 counting for interview shortlisting but not for final merit. Verify the clause in the notification, since it determines how much effort Tier 1 deserves.
Tier 1 — Pattern
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Objective, multiple choice |
| Marks | 100 |
| Sections | Current Affairs, General Studies, Numerical Aptitude, Reasoning / Logical Aptitude, English Language |
| Reasoning | 20 questions |
| Negative marking | ¼ mark per incorrect answer |
| Normalisation | Applied |
Indicative Tier 1 cut-offs (2017): UR 65, OBC 60, SC/ST 50 — out of 100. Useful as context, not as a target.
Tier 2 — Pattern
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Descriptive |
| Marks | 50 |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Essay Writing | 30 marks |
| English Comprehension & Precis Writing | 20 marks |
| Topics | Current affairs, economics, socio-political issues |
Indicative Tier 2 cut-offs (2017): UR 30, OBC 25, SC/ST 20 — out of 50.
This stage evaluates how well a candidate presents thoughts in a structured and coherent manner — described as essential for intelligence work. Precis writing in particular is a skill that rewards practice and that most candidates never practise, since few other examinations test it.
The Interview
100 marks. It assesses suitability for intelligence gathering, alertness, psychological stability and communication skills.
Psychometric tests are sometimes administered prior to the interview panel.
This is not a conventional government interview. The stated assessment criteria — alertness, psychological stability — reflect the nature of the work, and candidates should prepare accordingly rather than rehearsing standard interview material.
5. The Job
ACIOs handle national security and intelligence tasks. The role offers:
- Exposure to intelligence gathering and analysis
- Work on sensitive national assignments
- Career progression through departmental promotions
- Stable central government employment with retirement benefits
Posting is anywhere in India.
Understand what “Group C” means here. ACIO Grade-II/Executive is classified Group ‘C’, Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial — the same classification as Income Tax Inspector. The classification understates the nature of the work; the Level 7 pay and the SSA reflect it more accurately.
6. Application Procedure
Applications are made online through the Ministry of Home Affairs website, mha.gov.in, and the NCS Portal, ncs.gov.in.
- Open the IB ACIO Recruitment Apply Online link when the notification is live.
- Register to create login credentials.
- Log in and complete the application form. Provide accurate information — errors lead to rejection.
- Upload documents to specification.
- Pay the application fee — the fee structure differs for male candidates of the General, EWS and OBC categories, and for all other candidates.
- Submit and retain the confirmation.
Admit Card
Downloaded from mha.gov.in. Candidates typically also receive a link at their registered email ID.
Carry to the examination:
- Printed admit card
- Original valid photo ID — Voter ID, Driving Licence, PAN, Passport, Aadhaar, or University/College ID
- Two to three recent passport-sized photographs, matching the one uploaded in the application
7. Documents Checklist
- ☐ Graduation degree — certificate and mark sheets
- ☐ Class 10 certificate — age proof
- ☐ Proof of Indian citizenship
- ☐ Caste / category certificate
- ☐ EWS certificate, where applicable
- ☐ PwBD certificate, where applicable
- ☐ Original photo ID for the examination centre
- ☐ Passport-size photographs matching the application upload
- ☐ Printed admit card
8. Assessment
IB ACIO is a strong graduate opportunity, and it is under-considered relative to SSC CGL and the banking examinations.
In favour:
- Any graduation discipline, no minimum percentage — where RBI Grade B demands 60%
- Minimum age 18 — the lowest graduate entry in this series
- Level 7 at ₹44,900 basic, matching Income Tax Inspector
- Special Security Allowance at 20% of basic — approximately ₹8,980 per month at entry, which the equivalent SSC CGL Level 7 post does not receive
- Cash compensation for holiday duty, up to 30 days per year
- 3,717 vacancies in the last cycle, against 995 in 2023
- Paid training of 60–70 days
- Work of genuine national significance
Against:
- Not annual. IB recruits periodically, typically every one to two years, so a candidate cannot plan on a fixed yearly attempt
- Age 27 — narrower than SSC CGL’s JSO band of 32 and State PSC’s 40
- The interview carries 100 marks against Tier 2’s 50 — a heavier subjective weighting than most examinations
- Psychometric assessment and criteria including psychological stability
- Posting anywhere in India, in a role that is not a conventional desk job
Recommendations: if you are preparing for SSC CGL, the Tier 1 syllabus — Current Affairs, General Studies, Numerical Aptitude, Reasoning, English — transfers almost entirely, and the SSA makes the same pay level worth more. But do not neglect Tier 2 and the interview: precis writing is tested by almost no other examination, and the interview is the single largest scoring component in the process.
And plan for timing. Because IB does not recruit annually, a candidate at 25 may have only one further cycle before the age band closes at 27. Prepare before the notification rather than after it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the qualification for IB ACIO? Graduation or equivalent from a recognised university, in any discipline. There is no minimum percentage. Basic computer knowledge is desirable but not mandatory. Candidates must be Indian citizens.
Q2. What is the IB ACIO salary? Pay Level 7, ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400, with a starting basic of ₹44,900. In addition to DA, HRA and TA, ACIOs receive a Special Security Allowance of 20% of basic pay and cash compensation for duty on holidays, up to 30 days per year. Reported in-hand is approximately ₹63,000 during training, rising to ₹76,000 in routine postings and ₹90,000 in more challenging assignments.
Q3. What is the age limit? 18 to 27 years, with relaxation for reserved categories per Government of India rules.
Q4. How many vacancies were there? 3,717 in the 2025 cycle, against 995 in 2023. The 2026 count has not been announced — figures in circulation are estimates.
Q5. Is IB ACIO conducted every year? No. The Intelligence Bureau recruits periodically based on vacancies, typically every one or two years, rather than on a fixed annual calendar.
Q6. Is there negative marking? Yes — ¼ mark is deducted for each incorrect answer in Tier 1. Normalisation of marks is applied.
Q7. What is the Tier 2 pattern? A descriptive paper of 50 marks over 60 minutes — Essay Writing (30 marks) and English Comprehension & Precis Writing (20 marks). A minimum of 33% — 17 out of 50 — is required to qualify for the interview.
Q8. How much does the interview count? 100 marks — double the Tier 2 paper. It assesses suitability for intelligence gathering, alertness, psychological stability and communication skills, and psychometric tests are sometimes administered beforehand.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. At the time of writing, the IB ACIO 2026 notification has not been released; vacancy counts, dates and fees cited are from previous cycles or are estimates. Eligibility, age limits, examination pattern, marks distribution, salary and allowances are set by the official notification and may be revised. Secondary sources conflict on the basis of the Special Security Allowance, on reported in-hand salary figures, and on whether Tier 1 marks enter the final merit list. Candidates must read the official notification on mha.gov.in before applying and treat it as the final authority.