Understanding the IB ACIO Exam Selection Process for 2025

Overview of the IB ACIO Exam Selection Process

IB ACIO Exam Selection Process: The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the city information slip for the recruitment examination of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive. The Tier I examination is scheduled to take place on September 16, 17, and 18, 2025, across various locations in India.

A total of 3,717 positions will be filled through this recruitment drive. It is crucial for candidates to familiarize themselves with the exam structure and selection criteria to prepare effectively.

Exam Pattern Details

Exam Pattern

In Tier-I, candidates will tackle 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) categorized into five sections: Current Affairs, General Studies, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning/Logical Aptitude, and English. Each question carries 1 mark, with a penalty of ¼ mark for incorrect answers. The total duration for this tier is set at 1 hour.

For Tier-II, candidates must complete a descriptive paper worth 50 marks, which includes an Essay (20 marks), English Comprehension (10 marks), and two long-answer questions (20 marks) covering topics such as Current Affairs, Economics, and Socio-Political Issues. The time allocated for this tier is also 1 hour.

Tier-III involves a personal interview where candidates are assessed on their personality, communication skills, decision-making abilities, and general knowledge. This stage is valued at 100 marks, and the final selection hinges on performance in this tier.

Shortlisting Candidates for Subsequent Tiers

Candidates who achieve the minimum cut-off in Tier-I will be shortlisted for Tier-II, with the number of candidates being up to 10 times the available vacancies. This number may vary based on the cut-off scores and category-wise vacancies. The same principle applies to Tier-III, limited to 5 times the number of vacancies.

To qualify for Tier-III/Interview, candidates must secure at least 33% marks (17 out of 50) in Tier-II, based on their combined performance in Tier-I and Tier-II.

Final Merit List Preparation

How will the final merit be prepared?

The final merit list will be compiled based on the overall performance across Tier-I, Tier-II, and Tier-III. Selection for the position is contingent upon successful completion of character verification and medical examination.

Appointment Regulations

Appointment rules

Initial appointments will be temporary, with permanent status dependent on various conditions. Candidates must adhere to the instructions outlined in the Admit Card/Call Letter for Tier-I, Tier-II, and Tier-III. Failure to comply may lead to disqualification.

Tie Resolution Procedures

RESOLUTION OF THE CASES

In the event of a tie in the combined scores from Tier-I, Tier-II, and Tier-III, the following criteria will be applied in order:

1. Marks in Tier-III - Preference to the candidate with higher marks.

2. Marks in Tier-II - In case of a tie, preference to the candidate with higher marks.

3. Normalized marks in Tier-I - Used in case of a tie.

4. Date of Birth - Older candidates will be prioritized.

5. Alphabetical order of name - If all marks are equal, the decision will be based on the first name.