IB ACIO Syllabus 2025 – Complete Exam Pattern, Topic-wise Syllabus & Preparation Tips

Overview

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) recruits Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive through a two-tier exam followed by an interview. The selection prioritises analytical skills, general awareness, English proficiency and numerical ability.

Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

Tier-I (Objective): 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes. Subjects: General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical/Analytical Reasoning, English Language. Negative marking: 0.25 for each wrong answer.

Tier-II (Descriptive): Essay/Precis/Comprehension – 100 marks; duration 60–90 minutes. This tests written communication and comprehension skills.

Tier I Syllabus (Objective)

General Awareness

• Current Affairs (National & International)
• Indian Polity: Constitution, Governance, Parliament
• Geography & Economy of India
• History: Modern Indian History
• Awards, Sports, Books & Authors, Important Dates

Quantitative Aptitude

• Number Systems, HCF/LCM, Decimals & Fractions
• Ratio & Proportion, Percentages
• Averages, Time & Work, Time & Distance
• Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest
• Mensuration, Data Interpretation (tables, charts)

Logical & Analytical Reasoning

• Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relations
• Syllogisms, Coding-Decoding
• Series, Analogies, Directions & Distances
• Statement-Conclusion, Statement-Assumption

English Language

• Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test
• Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks
• Para Jumbles, Synonyms & Antonyms
• Basic Grammar: Tenses, Subject-Verb Agreement

Tier II Syllabus (Descriptive)

Tier-II tests written skills — essay writing, précis writing, comprehension and letter/application drafting. Topics often relate to national security, current affairs, governance and basic policy matters. Practice clarity, structure and time management.

• Essay (250-350 words) on current affairs/security/governance topics
• Comprehension with questions
• Précis writing
• Official communication: drafting letters/applications

Interview / Skill Test

Candidates who clear Tier-II are called for interview/psychometric/skill test. The interview assesses suitability for intelligence work: situational judgement, communication, integrity and domain knowledge.

Preparation Strategy & Resources

• Follow a current affairs calendar — read national dailies and monthly compilations.
• Strengthen basics in reasoning and quantitative aptitude with topic-wise practice.
• Practice descriptive writing weekly — get essays and précis reviewed.
• Take full-length mock tests under timed conditions to improve speed and accuracy.
• Recommended books: Lucent's General Knowledge, R.S. Aggarwal for Quant, M.K. Pandey for reasoning, and previous year papers.

FAQs

Q: What is the total duration of Tier-I?
A: 60 minutes for 100 questions.

Q: Is there negative marking?
A: Yes, 0.25 mark for each incorrect answer in Tier-I.

Q: Does Tier-II require typing skills?
A: Tier-II is descriptive and tests writing skills; computer-based typing is not usually tested but good typing helps in submission if online.